Under Tier 1, applicants applying under the 'Investors' visa category must evidence their intent to contribute a significant investment in the UK. While this is also a prerequisite for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa category, the investment amount required for applicants under the Tier 1 Investor category is significantly greater and there are no requirements applied to starting up or assuming control of a business.
The investor visa category which forms part of the 5 tier immigration scheme does not require applicants be proficient in the English language. This prerequisite needs to be satisfied by applicants who are applying under the General and Entrepreneur Schemes which requires a high level of proficiency. Moreover, in the Investor category, the amount of money that needs to be evidenced means that successful applicants may not have to work. Therefore the English language prerequisite is not necessary.
Whereas requirements as to the applicant's ability to support themselves and any dependants financially are necessary for applicants under other Tier 1 categories, it does not apply to applicants under the 'Investor' category. Those who satisfactorily prove the necessary amount of funds for investment purposes will automatically have satisfied the requirements of showing sufficient funds for maintenance for themselves and any dependants.
You will need to score 75 points to qualify for a Tier 1 Investor visa. Satisfying any one of the following requirements will allow you to score the full 75 points that is required.
If you have no less than £1 million of your own funds that are disposable in the UK, you can score 75 points. The funds need to be held in a regulated UK financial institution.
Alternatively, if your personal assets, net of any liabilities are valued at more than £2 million, you can also score 75 points.
The final path to scoring 75 points is through holding £1 million in your control, in a regulated UK financial institution. The can include a loan, if the institution providing you with the loaned amount is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Tier 1 Investor visa extension
Tier 1 Investor visas are granted for a period of three years on initial approval. Near the end of the three year period, you can apply for a two year extension, taking the total time in the UK on a Tier 1 Investor visa to five years. After five years, you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain. An application for ILR would allow you to remain in the UK indefinitely, without a time restriction on your visa.
The requirements for extension of a Tier 1 Invester visa differ from the requirements of the initial three year visa. To successfully obtain an extension, you will need to either have £1 million of your own funds in the UK, have net personal assets in excess of £2 million, or have net funds including loans in excess of £1 million at your disposal. Again, the loan provider must be regulated by the FSA.
You must also be able to show that you have invested £750,000 in the UK, while you have been in the UK on a Tier 1 Investor visa. The investment can take the form of shares, investment capital in UK companies that are trading, or UK government bonds. Finally, you will need to show that you have made this investment within 3 months of receiving your Tier 1 Investor visa approval.
Switching: Tier 1 Investor visa
Tier 1 Investor visa holders may switch into another category if they satisfy that category's specific requirements.
