You deserve a great life and are thinking of moving to a country with better conditions. You intend to invest your fund in a safe country. You have definitely thought about the UK. Everything is just in its perfect form. You can have the life you want there. The UK investor visa allows you to move there permanently.
This text will cover who is eligible for a UK investor visa, requirements, the application process, validity, fees, citizenship, and FAQs.
Table of Contents
ToggleWho is eligible for a UK investor visa?
You must be eligible to apply for a UK investor visa. Application without fulfilling the rules is impossible. The British officials will reject your application right away.
Least required fund
You need to have at least £2 million to be eligible for a UK investor visa. You must prove that you own the money or it belongs to your:
- Husband
- Wife
- Law partner
You don’t need to transfer your money to the UK before the application. It could be overseas.
Your funds must be disposable. You must be able to use them in the UK. Also, you must hold them in one or two financial centers.
Age
You must have reached the consent age (18) to be eligible. Younger applicants may not apply.
Nationality
Your nationality could be among the EEA members. The nationals of Switzerland are also ineligible.
Bank account
Having a bank account in the UK to use the funds for investment is a must. Some countries have restrictions over transferring money.
What are the requirements for a UK investor visa?
The British government needs supporting documents over the UK investor visa. They are to prove that you are truthful with the provided information in your application.
Be careful while gathering the below list. The details with them are important. Every year, many applicants face rejections over faulty documents.
Passport
Your passport must hold validity for at least one year at the time of application. Having one blank page to stick the visa is also a must.
Clean record certificate
You need a clean record certificate from the authorities in your home country. You need such a certificate from any foreign country you have lived in for one year during the past ten years.
Proof to have enough funds
The required money for the UK investor visa could be your or your partner’s. If the money is yours, you must prove that:
- The amount of money you have and where you have held it.
- The source of the money. It is true if you have earned money in less than two years ago.
- You can transfer the money to the UK. Some countries have restrictions over money transferring.
Partner’s fund
Providing that your partner owns the money you need:
- Personal cover letter. A marriage certificate or civil partnership to prove your relationship.
- A confirmation letter from your partner that he/she allows you to use the funds.
- A letter from a law firm or legal counselor that the statement is valid.
Bank statements
The bank statements stating you have enough funds should meet some conditions. It must show a continuous two years. The statement must not end one month from the date of application. It must hold the below elements:
- Your name
- The number of the account.
- The date it was issued.
- The amount of money held
- The name and regulatory body of the bank
Proof of money transfer
Providing that your fund is not already in the country, you need to provide proof that you can transfer the fund to the UK. You need a letter from your bank confirming that you can transfer the fund to the UK. The letter must be:
- In your name
- In the letterhead of the bank or financial institution.
- An authorized official must have issued it.
You won’t need such a document if the fund is already in the UK.
Evidence for the source of the fund
If your fund has not been in a bank account for the latest two years, you need proof of the source of the fund.
The British officials accept the below options as the source of fund:
- Gift
- Sale activity
- Income from a business
- The fund received under a will
- Divorce settlement or separation agreement
- Award or winnings
Letter from a bank (if applicable)
In case you can not provide bank statements, provide a confirmation letter from the bank. The letter must confirm:
- Your name with the account.
- The money you have held.
- The dates the money has been held.
Bank account
You need a bank account in a British bank to use your fund. The proof or evidence:
- An authorized official must have issued it.
- Not to be older than three months to the date of application.
- Be on the formal paper head of the bank.
- Certify that the bank has authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority.
- Confirm the two million pound balance for investment.
TB test
A few countries have to provide a TB test result to enter the UK. For. Afghanistan, Russia, Iraq are some of them. Providing that your country is on the list, you need to take a test in one of the certified centers. You may not take a test in a normal center and provide the English translation to the British officials.
The documents that are in your original language must get translated into English.
Attention: British officials might require further documents. In this case, you have to obey and provide whatever they require.
How to apply for a UK investor visa?
The application process for the UK investor visa is as follows:
1. Ask the essential question
Bear in mind what Benjamin Franklin once said: “Great haste makes great waste“. Ask yourself: Am I eligible for the UK investor visa? Apply only if you comply with the preconditions set by the British government.
The British officials are strict with the regulations over the fund. They check different items over it. Before you begin the procedure, check everything over the fund requirements.
The eligibility principle for the UK investor visa is explained above. There you have to find everything.
2. Online application
The application process for the UK investor visa is online. You need to start it on the UK visa and immigration website. Before you begin the procedure, prepare some information that you might need. You have to put some information on the online application form.
You also need an email address to make an account on the website. Make sure that you have complete access to it.
While completing the form, pick a place to submit the requirements for the UK investor visa. It could be a British embassy or a certified visa center. Make sure you can move the center as you have to get there in person.
3. Requirements
The British officials have set some requirements for the UK investor visa. You can see the list of them in the section above. The mentioned documents are not a definite list. The authorities could ask for further documents.
When you gather the requirements, be extra careful. As it is said: “Watch every detail that affects the accuracy of your work.” Taking things easy is not a good idea. Many applications get rejected due to wrong documents. You shouldn’t be one of them.
4. Schedule an appointment
When you gathered all or part of the requirements, schedule an appointment with the British embassy or visa center. You will choose a place on the UK visa and immigration website. Determine if you can get to the visa center or not. If not, choose another place.
5. Visa meeting
You need to get to the embassy or visa center in person. Get there at least half an hour early. Don’t be forgetful and bring all the requirements.
Submit everything to the officials when you meet them. Then pay the fee for visa processing. Remember that you have to keep the receipt. You will need it later.
The authorities will also ask about your investment and moving to the UK. “All things are ready if our interview be so.” Organize information about your investment and plans on moving to the UK.
6. Processing
A “Visa isn’t easy; it takes time” for the embassy to process it. The processing time for a UK investor visa rides on various items. For instance, if the officials require further documents, the processing time will be longer. You can follow the procedure with the embassy.
You could also use the “Priority Service” if it is available in your country. You pay more to get a faster decision on your visa. Ask the officials whether they provide such service or not.
When the visa is ready, the officials inform you or post it to you.
How long is the UK investor visa valid for?
The UK investor visa is valid for three years and four months. But you have permission to extend it for another two years. After you live in the UK for five years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). It permits you to stay in the UK without any time limit. You don’t have to wait for five years to be eligible for ILR. You will become eligible for ILR after two years if you invest £10 million. When you invest £5 million, you will become eligible for ILR after three years.
Can you extend the UK investor visa?
Yes, British law permits you to extend your UK investor visa. However, there is a slight difference in your condition whether you have applied before or after 2017/11/6.
You need to apply online to extend your UK investor visa. Also, you need to pay a fee for processing. The current fee is £1,623. You can extend the UK investor visa for two years.
Does a UK investor visa lead to citizenship?
Yes, but you have to leave for at least six years in the UK to become eligible. First, you have to receive a UK investor visa and enter the country. You need to live in the UK until you extend it. When you extend the UK investor visa and live in the country for another two years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). The ILR authorizes you to stay in the UK without any time limit. After you live in the UK for six years under ILR, you will become eligible to apply for citizenship. Remember that British law has set preconditions over citizenship. You need to comply with them.
Can you bring your family to the UK under an investor visa?
Yes, you may bring your family to the UK under an investor visa:
- Spouse or law partner
- Minors
- Adult children, only if they are dependent
Can you work under a UK investor visa?
Yes. You may work under a UK investor visa. Your family also has the right to work in the UK. Yet, you may not work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. Apart from working, you have the right to study in the country.
Let’s sum up…
The UK investor visa is a way to move to the UK permanently. It is a way for UK citizenship as well. The visa permits you to work and study. It holds many advantages.
The article explained who is eligible for a UK investor visa, requirements, the application process, FAQs, and more.
If you need to know about other types of UK visa, look at the left sidebar.
To know about other country’s visas, go to the home page of the Visa Library.
You are a sharer of experience. Visa applicants appreciate your help.
- Published by
- Max-B.
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