UK Immigration: Importance of Tier 1 Investor Visa Route

Recently in a proposed amendment to the 2015 Immigration Bill Baroness Hamwee and Lord Paddick suggested an abolition of the Tier 1 (Investor) visa. Their proposal may mean the route will have to be used by new applicants as soon as possible should they wish to make an application under the Tier 1 (Investor) route in the UK.  It is not clear whether this proposal will be implemented however what is clear are the economic benefits that the UK sees from the Tier 1 (Investor route). We consider the importance of the Tier 1 (Investor) route for the UK economy below. We suggest Tier 1 investors considering investing in the UK make their applications sooner rather than later.

Improvements to Investor Visa Route

It is not clear whether this proposal will be implemented however there have been concerns in the past about applicants whose wealth was viewed with suspicion by the Home Office.The scrutiny with which Tier 1 investor applications are viewed means it is unlikely that concerns will remain.

Our solicitors form the view that the proposal should not be implemented. Our view is that the Home Office already has stringent requirements in place which require thorough assessments to be completed in respect of the source and origin of funds by UK banks. Additionally we calculate that the investment and revenue generated in tax by far outweighs the vague concerns and suspicions the Home Office have as far as this category is concerned.

The Tier 1 visa investor route is therefore an attractive route to obtaining permanent residence in the UK with a requirement of only one year of permanent residence to become eligible for British Citizenship. This is of course subject to security and character checks.

Tier 1 Investment Visa Criteria

The immigration rules in respect of Tier 1 Investor visas, were significantly changed in November 2014. The previous rules stated:

investor visa applications approved before 6 November 2014: you will need to show that you:

  • have at least £1,000,000 under your control in the UK;
  • have invested at least £750,000 (or 75%) of that in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active UK companies;
  • invested this sum within 3 months of your ‘investor start date’.

investor visas applications approved on or after 6 November 2014:  you will need to show that you:

  • have at least £2,000,000 under your control in the UK;
  • have invested those funds in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active UK companies;
  • invested this sum within 3 months of your ‘investor start date’.

Investors may be able to include any dependants who are on their visas in an application to extend – including children who have turned 18 during their stay in the UK.

Successful Tier 1 (Investor) Visa Applications

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified solicitors and barristers welcome Tier 1 investors and are pleased to see the extensive due diligence undertaken by the Home Office to enable Tier 1 visa investors to come to the UK.  Tier 1 investor applications and  the investment opportunities they provide for the UK are in complete harmony with the spirit of the Tier 1 category which is to boost the UK economy.

We are regularly instructed by Tier 1 (investors) and entrepreneurs and undertake a detailed review for Applicants and will be able to guide you through the process of making a Tier 1 (investor) visa application step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of the law.

We also undertake a great deal of appeal work before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal and have a successful track record of successful results for our clients. We have the experience and the knowledge required to take your case forward successfully. If you have had a Tier 1 (investor) visa refused, contact us to discuss your case so that we can provide you with a case assessment.

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