UK Investor Visa
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UK Investor Visa
This visa is for high net worth individuals who would like to make a substantial financial investment in the UK. The required amount of investment is at least £2 mln.
There is no requirement of any English language ability or to show any maintenance funds whilst in the UK. This visa allows to take employment or set up and run a business in the UK.
Investors can bring their partner and children under 18 as dependants. Dependants have the right to work and study in the UK and will be eligible for indefinite leave to remain after five years of residence provided the main applicant is applying at the same time or has already made a successful application.
If this is of interest to you, please read on for further details.
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Summary of Investor Visa Requirements
In brief, the applicant must:
- have money of their own and under their control, held in a regulated financial institution and disposable in the UK, amounting to not less than £2 million
- have opened an account with a UK regulated bank for the purposes of investing not less than £2 million in the UK
- unconditional written consent of the sponsoring government or agency would be required if they are currently or were being sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency
The main requirement to be eligible to apply
The applicant must have £2 million or more, that is their own money, and a UK regulated bank account. They must invest the entirety of the £2 million sum in the UK.
Money ownership explained
The £2 million must be owned solely by the applicant. However, it may be jointly owned with a partner (spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same sex partner). If this applies to you, then please remember that if the £2 million sum is jointly owned, you must have control of the sum – the unrestricted right to transfer and dispose, in order to be able to qualify for an Investor Visa. Evidence of the relationship and permission to use the joint funds will be necessary.
UK Bank Account
Although it is usually necessary to have a visa in order to open a UK bank account, there are special institutions which may allow applicants to open a UK bank account if they do not hold a visa. This would depend on personal circumstances. Personalised advice may be needed. Please contact us to find out how we can help you.
Form of UK Investment
The applicant must make an investment (of £2 million or above) in the UK in the form of UK share capital or loan capital. Purchasing stocks or other investments by using borrowed funds is not allowed.
Transferring funds to the UK
Please remember that if the funds are held outside the UK, they must be transferred to the UK, and if approval is required, you must have approval by the time you apply.
If the funds are held outside the UK, they must be transferred legally (in compliance with the regulations of the country in which they are held). Additionally, an investment through an offshore company or trust is not allowed.
Extending current Investor Visa
If you already have an Investor visa and wish to extend it, the application process will depend on whether the leave was granted before 6 November 2014, between 6 November and 28 March 2019, or after 29 March 2019. Please contact us for further information on how we can help you.
Accelerated Indefinite Leave to Remain
The applicant can normally become eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK, however you can reach ILR stage earlier if you increase the level of investment – this is the accelerated ILR.
Where the applicant entered the UK, had a continuous residence of 2 years, and had money of their own under their control in the UK, amounting to at least £10 million, they will be eligible for an accelerated ILR.
Where the applicant entered the UK, had a continuous residence of 3 years, and had money of their own under their control in the UK, amounting to at least £5 million, they will be eligible for an accelerated ILR.
Last updated on April 23, 2021
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