Tier 1 Investors present in the UK can apply for settlement (also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain). The available routes include 2-years, 3-years and 5-years options for high net worth individuals investing significant amounts of money in the UK. You might also be interested in settlement rules for Tier 1 Entrepreneurs from outside the EU who set up or take over existing business in the UK.
Tier 1 Investors can apply for accelerated Leave to Remain after 2 or 3 years of living and investing in the UK.UK Tier 1 Investor Visas – Eligibility
Applicants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to invest £2,000,000 or more in the UK can apply under the Tier 1 Investor route if they can satisfy the Home Office’s requirements. Applicants must have access to at least £ 2,000,000 in investment funds, must be over 18 and be able to prove that the money belongs either to them or their husband, wife, unmarried or same-sex partner. They would also need to have opened a bank account and the funds must be held in one or more regulated financial institutions and free to spend (‘disposable’) in the UK.
Under the Tier 1 Investor route applicants will be able to stay in the UK for a period of 3 years and 4 months and apply to extend the visa for another 2 years. Where an Applicant wishes to settle in the UK, they can apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).
Tier 1 Investor settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) requirements
Investors who have invested in the UK at least £2,000,000 may be eligible to apply for settlement status (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK once they have reached five years continuous leave in the UK under the route.
Investors wishing to apply for settlement will have to make sure they do not exceed 180 days absence from the UK during each 12 months of the continuous period. This would include any absences irrespective of their reasons. The only exception would be the reason of staying outside of the UK because of the Ebola crisis in West Africa in 2014. The applicants’ absence exceeding the period of 180 days in 12 months would break the continuous period and the applicants will need to start the qualifying period again. It is very important to make sure, you do not exceed the allowed absences, as the Home Office will not hesitate to refuse an application where an Applicant has been absent for more than 180 days in any one year of the continuous period.
Accelerated Settlement via an Investor Visa Application
The UK government has acknowledged the importance of welcoming foreign businesspeople into the UKÂ and in response has introduced an accelerated route to settlement. This route encourages non-EEA businesspeople to invest in the UK and potentially apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 2 or 3 years depending on their investments.
The applicants would must have invested the funds by way of UK Government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies.
The applicants will be eligible to apply for settlement:
- After 2 years if they can demonstrate that they have invested £10,000,000
- After 3 years if they can demonstrate that they have invested £5,000,000
Making a successful application for Accelerated Settlement via the UK Tier 1 Investor route
Our  team of experienced and professionally qualified solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of the law. Please always call us for a telephone case assessment even if you wish to consider other advisers.
Our Immigration Experts are able to give specialist legal information and advice in this area of law. To contact one of our Immigration Solicitors or Immigration Barristers please complete our legal case assessment form and we will get in touch or call us now on 0845 8622 529 for a free telephone assessment and free case assessment.
If you wish to consider your options, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your matter and if necessary advise you of the next steps you should take in a consultation.
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.
If you need professional legal advice about applying for accelerated settlement please contact us for a case assessment on 02030110276. You can also reach us via our contact form.Â