Investor Visa - UK

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa:

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa is granted to non-EU/EEA migrants (European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA)) who want to invest in the UK by establishing or acquiring a business or being actively involved in operating a business in the UK. After the visa holders successfully operate in the UK for five years, they along with their families can apply to settle in the UK.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur

The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category is for those Applicants investing in the UK by setting up or taking over, and being actively involved in the running of one or more businesses in the UK, who have access to either �200,000 or �50,000.

Applicants are permitted to make an initial application for leave to remain as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant where already in the UK with permission to remain in specific categories (Tiers 1, 2 and 4).

INITIAL APPLICATIONS

Applicants investing �200,000 will need to demonstrate:

• Access to �200,000, or the sterling equivalent available for investment in the UK
• That the funds have been genuinely and lawfully obtained and belong either to the Applicant personally or a third party who must confirm the availability of funds for business purposes.
• That the funds must be held in a regulated institution.
• That the funds, if held abroad, are freely transferable to the UK for investment in a business.
• Through the production of a business plan, the genuine and viable nature of the business investment.
• Competency in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1.

Applicants and dependents over 18 years old must provide an overseas criminal record certificate for any country where there has been continuous residence for 12 months or more in the 10 years prior to the application. These certificates will only be valid if issued within 6 months of the Application.

Applicants may form an entrepreneur team with one partner providing both have equal access to the same investment funds.

Applicants who have already invested �200,000 in a UK business within 12 months prior to the application may also apply.

Applicant�s investing �50,000 will need to demonstrate:

• Access to �50,000 in investment funds from a UK entrepreneurial seed funding endorsed by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) or a UK government department.

Applicants applying from abroad can rely on funds from a venture capital firm registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Applicants who have already invested �50,000 in a UK business within 12 months prior to the application may also apply.

EXTENSION APPLICATIONS

In order to extend stay in the UK as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), an Applicant will need to demonstrate:

• Registration as a Director within 6 months of the date of entry or grant of permission to remain in the UK.
• Self-employment or directorship of a business 3 months before the application to extend.
• That at least 2 full-time jobs were created during the period of leave, each lasting for at least 12 months.
• That either �200,000 or �50,000 has been invested in one or more business from an approved funding source.

SETTLEMENT IN THE UK

An Applicant may apply for settlement in the UK after a continuous period of five years under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category and will need to demonstrate:

• that the required investment has been made in the UK
• that the business has created at least two full-time jobs
• that the level of investment must have been maintained through the continuous period.
• that the Applicant has not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 calendar months during the continuous period.
• that the Applicant has sufficient knowledge of the English language to B1 level or higher standard and has passed and Life in the UK test.

Accelerated settlement applications can be made where an Applicant�s business creates 10 new jobs or received at least �5 million in income from business activity over a continuous period of three years.