Our immigration team has extensive experience of preparing successful Investor Visa applications. While this category closed to new applicants in February 2022, if you already hold leave under the Tier 1 Investor category, applications to extend your leave continue to be accepted until February 2026.
Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain continue to be accepted until February 2028.
Having worked with the Home Office, we understand how carefully they will assess every application and if they deem that you do not meet the eligibility criteria, or if any of the requirements regarding the process or documentation have not been met, the application can be refused.
Our team will work diligently to ensure that your applications are successful.
We have a well-established reputation for successfully assisting HNW individuals with their Tier 1 Investor visa applications and are recognised as leaders in this field by The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, where we remain ranked as a Top Tier Firm.
If you currently hold leave in the UK under the Tier 1 Investor category, you may apply to extend your leave for a further two years, subject to meeting the following requirements:
It is of note that Tier 1 Investor applications are not subject to any English language requirement until such time as you apply to become permanently settled in the UK.
Tier 1 (Investors) are not permitted to work in the UK as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach) or as a doctor or dentist in training.
Except for the above, Tier 1 (Investors) are permitted to take employment, engage in self-employment and business activities in the UK without restriction. Study is also permitted, subject to certain limited restrictions.
The Tier 1 Investor visa allows you to bring with you to the UK a dependent spouse or partner and dependent children who are under the age of 18 at the time of the initial application.
This will depend on whether you have completed the appropriate tax planning measures ahead of relocating to the UK.
Not all types of investments are acceptable under the Tier 1 Investor scheme. You will be required to invest your £2 million funds as share or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies. The law provides a specific definition of what an active and trading UK registered company is.
Investments in companies that are mainly engaged in property-related activities (i.e. property investment, property management or property development) are not considered to be qualifying investments under the Tier 1 Investor scheme.
The length of time that you must spend in the UK before being able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (also known as settlement) depends on the level of your investment:
| Investment | £2 million | £5 million | £10 million |
| ILR | 5 years | 3 years | 2 years |
| Citizenship | 6 years | 5 years | 5 years |
It is of note that any application for Indefinite Leave to Remain must be submitted before 17 February 2028.
If you do not intend to settle in the UK (i.e. apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain), you are not required to spend a minimum amount of time in the UK per year.
If you do wish to settle in the UK, in order to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain, you will need to ensure that you are not absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any continuous 12-month period during the relevant qualifying period. This residence requirement also applies to dependent spouses and partners.
Please note that if you wish to apply for British citizenship, the residence requirements are different.
For more information about us and our Corporate Immigration services please contact a member of the team who can answer any questions and guide you through the process.
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