Tier 1 Investor Visa

This route has now been closed for new applications. You can still make extension and ILR applications if you are currently in the UK on Tier 1 Investor visa.

What is a Tier 1 Investor Visa?

The Tier 1 Investor route is now closed and you can no longer apply for an entry clearance under this visa category. Should you wish to pursue business investments in the UK, you can safely rely on our top immigration lawyers to assist your visa application under the appropriate UK visa scheme. At RVS Solicitors, we are dedicated to hearing you and delivering service that best suits your needs. To help you achieve your goals, we will also support applications to arrange for any family dependants to accompany you, so as to make sure you never have to choose between family and pursuit of career ambitions.

Our business immigration solicitors can provide clear and practical advice to help you achieve a successful application and further your goals of permanently settling in the UK, should that be your eventual objective. 

However, if you are currently on the Tier 1 Investor visa, you still have the option to continue on this route. We can help you extend your visa for a further 2 years or apply for settlement in the UK (also known as obtaining indefinite leave to remain ‘ILR’), once you reach the required residency period in the UK.

designed for those who are from outside of the UK and have £2 million or more to invest in the UK.

By choosing this route, your time spent in the country will count towards achieving Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You will be able to eventually settle in the UK and become a British citizen.

For many High Net Worth individuals, eventually being able to obtain a British passport is the main reason to consider this route.

Most of those contemplating such a large investment are attracted by the flexibility that being a holder of British Passport gives, with hassle-free access to 184 countries.

However, Britain is also a very good market for investment. The fifth-largest economy in the world, it has easy access to the EU, Russia, the Middle East, and the east coast of America.

How Our Top UK Immigration Lawyers Can Help With Your Tier 1 Investor Visa

If you are seeking a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa extension or ILR, you can safely rely on our top immigration solicitors to make the process as easy as possible for you and your family. Our team will take care of the Tier 1 Investor Visa application process all the way through to settlement.

We understand that those who wish to gain UK citizenship by investment need to focus on their business interests and require a partner they can trust to take care of the details of their immigration matters.

What sets RVS Solicitors apart is our approach.  We are truly a law firm for the modern age.

Our partners are well- connected, which means that we can introduce you to:

• Banks
• Schools
• Estate agents
• Wealth managers

Our service is predominantly digital, meaning you do not need to waste time on travel to communicate with us.

Read some of our client testimonials and learn about our talented team . 

Tier 1 Investor Visa Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Extending Tier 1 Investor Visa

How do I extend my Tier 1 Investor Visa?

You are allowed to extend your current Tier 1 Investor visa for up to 2 years. Likewise, your dependent family members will be able to apply to extend their visa. Our team at RVS can assist you and your family in this process and clarify what necessary steps are to be followed.

Am I eligible to extend my Tier 1 (Investor) Visa?

Our immigration team can help make clear the eligibility criteria required for an extension, as this very much depends on when you successfully applied for your visa.

If you obtained your visa before 6 November 2014, you can apply for an extension, provided that you demonstrate the following:

• Has at least £1,000,000 in the UK, money under his control, or
• Has assets which come to at least £2,000,000 and has been loaned at least £1,000,000 by a UK financial institution
• Proof of investment of £750,000 in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active UK companies within 3 months of your ‘investor start date’ and the remaining balance up to £1,000,000 has been invested in assets or maintained as a deposit in a UK financial institution

If, however your application was made on or after 6 November 2014, the requirements that you will need to meet are as follows:

• Proof of investment of at least £2,000,000 of his own money in share capital or loan capital in active UK companies or in Government bonds.

If, however, the initial leave was granted after 29 March 2019, investment in Government bonds will  not be taken into account.

• Proof of having invested this sum within 3 months of your ‘investor start date’ (the date you arrived into the UK or the date your original visa application or switch from a different visa category was approved)

What documents do I need to apply for an extension?

Our immigration team can help ensure that you have all the right documents for a successful application for extension. The exact list will depend on your individual circumstances.

The main documents you need are the following:

• Passport (or valid travel identification)
• Evidence of investment, such as investment portfolio reports produced by a UK regulated financial institution that show you’ve met the investment eligibility requirements and maintained your investments for the full length of your visa
• Evidence of source of money

How RVS Solicitors can help you apply for an extension?

We understand the uncertainty that comes with relocating to another country. Therefore, we are committed to guiding you through each step of your application and ensuring that you receive accurate and reliable information to help make the visa process simple and easy to follow. This includes helping you book your biometric appointment, clarifying what this process entails and the requirements you need to meet. We can help you gather all the necessary supporting documents and letting you know of the things you can and cannot do until your application has been processed. 

Our team, built of top immigration lawyers, together with professionals from different areas that we work with, including business development consultants, accountants and intellectual property specialists, have the expertise to assist you in securing a visa under the new routes that have replaced the Tier 1 visa, or extend your Tier 1 visa if you are already on it.

Settling in the UK on Tier 1 Investor Visa: ILR

How can I settle in the UK if I am already on a Tier 1 Investor visa?

If you wish to settle in the UK and are already on a Tier 1 Investor visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) provided you meet the requirements.

To be eligible for ILR under a Tier 1 Investor visa, you must:

• Live in the UK from 2 to 5 years, depending on the amount you have invested;
• Meet the financial requirements;
• Have knowledge of language and life in the UK

How do I calculate my time in the UK?

Please keep in mind that if you have a Tier 1 Investor visa, the time you spent in the UK on other visas will not count towards continuous residence for ILR. The total length of the continuous residence in the UK to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain will depend on the investment amount and can range from 2-5 years.

In any event, you are allowed to spend no more than 180 days outside of the UK, in any 12 months period, otherwise your continuous residence will be considered broken. There are only a handful exceptions in this respect. Our experienced immigration lawyers will advise you, if the need arises, in respect of matters related to your continuous residence and absences from the UK.

What are the investment requirements?

In order to satisfy the investment requirements, you must have invested a certain amount of cash in share capital, loan capital or UK government bonds in active UK companies, within 3 months of your ‘investor start date.’ However, the specific required amount of cash invested depends on when you successfully applied for your first Tier 1 Investor visa. In addition, UK government bonds cannot be included if you first successfully applied for your Tier 1 Investor visa on or after 29 March 2019.

If you applied on or after 6 November 2014, please refer to the table below for the funds you must have invested for the given time period.

If you applied before 6 November 2014, different criteria apply.

Our team will be able to recommend if you meet the financial criteria and proceed with the best options for your circumstances.

How do I prove my knowledge of language and life in the UK?

If you are between the ages of 18 to 64, you must prove your knowledge of language and life in the UK through the following:

• Book and pass the Life in the UK Test
• Meet the English language requirements at CEFR level B1 or above

We can advise on how you can prove your English Language and whether you can be exempted from proving your knowledge of English if you are a citizen of certain countries.

How do I apply for indefinite leave to remain?

The application for ILR under Investor route is an online one. Your partner and children can also be included in your application form, if they are eligible. If you wish to be joined by your dependents, we can advise you on the requirements and documents needed.  Our immigration lawyers will ensure that you are successful in remaining on the Tier 1 (Investor) route and will eventually obtain your Indefinite Leave to Remain.

How can we help?

At RVS Solicitors, we have years of experience in meeting the needs of high-net-worth investors and their families.  We understand you are investing a considerable amount of money to obtain Indefinite Leave to Remain and ultimately, British Citizenship.  To help you achieve your objectives, we will work with your financial advisors to ensure your investment portfolio is run in accordance with the requirements of the Tier 1 Investor Visa.

The Tier 1 Investor Visa initially lasts for three years and four months.  After this period, you will need to apply for an extension if you do not qualify for accelerated settlement.  Our team can assist you with collating this documentation to prove you meet the criteria needed to extend your visa and apply for ILR.  We are smart, well-connected and resourceful, and will work adeptly with you and your advisors to ensure your citizenship by investment process goes smoothly.

Contact our team of London based immigration lawyers today to discuss your move to the UK. For a free assessment call our specialist immigration solicitors on  +44 20 3372 5125 or complete our online enquiry form  to make an appointment. Find out more information on our fees and timescales here.

To read more about similar issues please visit our blog or read on how we have helped others in similar circumstances by visiting our success stories