The Tier 1 Investor visa category is designed for high net worth individuals who wish to make a significant financial investment in the UK in return for residency. The main requirement for Tier 1 Investor visa migrants is meeting the investment requirement of £2 million. The Home Office is likely to consider a number of factors in respect of the investment requirement such as the source of funds, control of funds and lastly, the availability of the funds for investment. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, investment in the UK is on a rise. According to the Home Office, there has been a significant increase in the number of Tier 1 Investor visa applications submitted in the last 12 months. The UK is an attractive option for residency as it is known for its diverse multicultural society and its social and economic opportunities.   Â
Eligibility requirements for a Tier 1 Investor visa application
The requirements for a Tier 1 Investor visa application are far more relaxed when compared with some of the other points based systems applications such as the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa or the Tier 2 General work permit visa. The relevant rules for a Tier 1 Investor visa application can be found under Paragraph 245E of the Immigration Rules. In addition to Paragraph 245E of the Immigration Rules, the relevant Appendixes must be considered as well as the Home Office Policy Guidance.
 In order to apply for a Tier 1 Investor visa Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- You must not fall under the General Grounds of Refusal;
- You must be at least 18 years of age unless you are applying as a Tier 1 Investor dependent;
- You must provide an overseas criminal record certificate for any country you have continuously been present for at least 12 months in the last 10 years. The certificates must have been issued within 6 months of the Tier 1 Investor visa application;
- You must have £2 million of our own money under your control and it must be held in a regulated financial institution. The money must be disposable in the UK; and
- You must have a UK bank account with a regulated bank for investment purposes.
Unlike some of the other points-based system applications under this route, you will not need to show that you meet the English language requirement. Applicants are also exempt from meeting a maintenance requirement. However, this does not mean that Applicants can access public funds in the UK. Tier 1 Investor visa migrants must be self-sufficient otherwise they could struggle to meet the Tier 1 Investor visa extension application requirements.
The investment requirement in the Tier 1 Investor visa application
The main requirement for this application is the investment requirement of £2 million. The Immigration Rules and guidelines state that the money must be your own money, held in a regulated financial institution. The investment money must be disposable in the UK and it must be lawful money. The investment money must not be associated with any unlawful activity and there must be written confirmation that the money is legitimate in the Applicants country and there are no reasonable grounds to suspect the credibility of the source of funds. The Home Office expects Applicants to be able to demonstrate the source of the funds i.e. where has the money derived from. The most common sources of investment money derive from employment, existing business portfolios, or sale of property/land, gift or a financial award/winning.  The investment money can be invested by way of UK Government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies other than those principally engaged in property investment
Switching into a Tier 1 Investor Visa?
Yes, it is possible to submit an application within the UK to switch into the Tier 1 Investor visa category. In order to successfully switch into the Tier 1 Investor visa, Applicants must have valid leave in the UK at the time of their UK Visas and Immigration application. Popular switching categories are as noted below:
- Highly Skilled Migrant to Tier 1 Investor visa;
- Tier 1 General or Tier 1 Entrepreneur to Tier 1 Investor;
- Any Tier 2 visa to Tier 1 Investor; or
- Tier 4 General to Tier 1 Investor (subject to conditions in the Policy Guidance).
It should be noted however, Applicants on tourist visas or standard visitor visas cannot switch into the Tier 1 Investor category within the UK and an Entry Clearance application must be submitted.
Using Legal Representation to submit a successful Tier 1 Investor application
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration and visa legal representatives to successfully assist you with an application to apply for a Tier 1 Investor Visa. Our solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your Tier 1 Investor application succeeds, our solicitors and barristers will ensure all specified documents must be provided.
The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successfully submit a Tier 1 Investor application
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your prospects of submitting a Tier 1 Investor application before your application even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation and submission of a Tier 1 Investor application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation to discuss a Tier 1 Investor application.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.