Tier 1 Visa - Investor stream

The Investor category of tier one of the Points Based System is designed for those who intend to make a substantial investment in the UK.

Although this is also a requirement of the entrepreneur sub-category, the investment sum for those in the Investor category is much larger and unlike the entrepreneur sub-category there is no requirement to engage in business activities.

Specific requirements – Tier 1 Investor visa

To qualify for the tier 1 investor visa a total of 75 points must be satisfied in accordance with one of the following:

  • The candidate has a minimum of £1 million. The money must be their own and must be held in a regulated UK financial institution. The money must also be disposable in the UK.
  • The candidate has personal assets to the value of more than £2 million taking into account any liabilities.
  • The candidate has an amount of no less than £1 million, which is under their control and is held in a regulated UK financial institution. This may include money which has been loaned to them if the financial institution providing the loan is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Unlike all other sub-categories of tier 1 visas class, the tier 1 Investor visa sub-category does not require applicants to be able to prove their proficiency in the English language. The idea behind this is that because these types of applicants unlikely to have to work in the UK, the English language requirement is deemed unnecessary. It follows that applicants in the tier 1 Investor visa sub-category are also not require to meet the maintenance requirements of those people applying under the General or Entrepreneur tier 1 visa sub-categories.

Tier 1 Investor visa extension

When applying for an extension to a Tier 1 Investor visa, applicants will be assessed against a differing set of criteria from their original application. Unlike the initial set of criteria, Tier 1 Investor visa holders seeking an extension must accrue the 75-point pass mark over the following list of requirements.

The applicant must have either of the following:

  • A minimum of £1 million of their own money in the UK - 30 Points.
  • Personal Assets with a value exceeding £2 million taking account of liabilities - 30 Points.
  • Money under their control which amounts to no less than £1 million. This may include loaned money from a provider who is regulated by the FSA.

In addition candidates must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  • They must have invested a minimum of £750,000 in the UK. This must have been invested by way of either UK Government bonds or share capital or investment capital in active UK companies. This does not include companies whose main activities are property investment. Investment cannot be interpreted as placing deposits in a bank or building society.
  • The investment outlined above must have been made within 3 months of gaining the tier one visa and must be maintained throughout the duration of the visa.