Everything you need to know about applying for an Investor Visa

Recently it has become more challenging to relocate to the United Kingdom. However, for those in a privileged financial position obtaining an Investor Visa can work as a fast track to entering and obtaining residence in the UK. If you’re in a position to be able to invest in a business in the UK this can be a quickand route to achieving leave to remain status for you and your family.

Eligibility

First it’s important to check whether you’re eligible an investor visa. The application process has clear government guidelines but you must ensure that you meet all the requirements.

• You must be at least 18
• You must invest at least minimum of 2 million pounds (£2,000,000 sterling) in the UK
• Your finances must be regulated and be held by a bank or venture capital firm, and your funds must be available to spend as cash (i.e. not tied up in securities or shares)
• You will need to provide evidence that the money belongs to you or your partner
• You must be able to prove that you've had the money for a minimum of 3 months, or evidence of how you obtained the money
• If the money belongs to your partner you will also need a statement from then as evidence of their permission for you to invest the money in the UK as well as a statement from a solicitor confirming that your partner's statement of permission is legally valid and not falsified
• You must have a UK bank account to use for your funds.

It’s important to note the following

• · Your money can be in the UK or overseas when you apply
• · During your stay you will not qualify for public funds such as benefits
• · Family memberscan come with you when you travel to the UK on this visa. However, they must have a visa if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or from Switzerland.
• · A family member is classed as a dependent if they are your husband, wife, or partner, your child who is under the age of 18 or your child over the age of 18 if they’re currently in the UK, family members can be added to your application online
• · You don’t need to provide evidence of English language proficiency when you apply
• · Investors on this visa must not invest in any company whose activities involve managing, developing, or investing in property

Applying

You can apply 3 months before you travel to the UK. If you’re applying from outside the UK your decision should take less than 3 weeks. However, if you need a more urgent response you can pay extra to get a decision within 5 days.

Cost

It costs £1,623 for an Investor visa plus a healthcare fee of about £400 for yourself in addition to any dependents.

Length of Stay

You can stay in the UK with an Investor visa for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months. Once this period has passed you can apply for an extension for an additional 2 years.

Leave to remain

If you have invested more than £2 million pounds you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. You can apply to settle in the UK after 2 years if you invest £10 million, after 3 if you invest £5 million or after 5 years if you invest £2 million.

Documentation

When you apply you’ll need to provide documentary evidence of:

• a passport or other valid travel identification
• a passport photograph
• tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
• a criminal record certificate from any country you have stayed in for a total of 12 months or more over the last 10 years

You will also have to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of your application.