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Residency by Investment in UK

Residency by Investment in UK

Two new visas (innovator and start-up) have replaced tier 1 UK entrepreneur investor visa which allowed one to get residency in this country. The conditions imposed for these kinds of visas for the UK can be explained by our London immigration lawyer. Our team is at your disposal with assistance on immigration matters.



 Quick Facts  
Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU)  Both 

Business investment option (Yes/No) 

 For residency by investment in UK, the individuals are required to make an investment of 2,400,000 Euros in the United Kingdom.

Real estate investment option (Yes/No) 

Yes 

Other investment options (if available) 

 – venture capital,

– angel finance,

–  insider finance,

– crowdfunding

 Living requirement in UK (Yes/No)

2-5 years, according to the invested amount

Residence or direct citizenship option 

Yes 

Direct immigration with family members (Yes/No) 

 Yes

Family members allowed to join the program 

 Yes

Residence visa/ citizenship processing time (approx.) 

3-4 months 

Our team can offer details about residency by investment in UK.

Additional financial requirements for family members (Yes/No)  Yes
Time frame for obtaining citizenship/ residency by investment 

5 years 

Our lawyers can offer details about residency by investment in UK.

Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No) 

Yes 

Reasons to choose UK 

 – stable economy,

–  attractive investment incentives,

– close proximity with some of the world’s largest consumer markets

Personal income tax rate 

 – 20% basic rate for income between £0 and £37,700

– 40% for income between £37,701 and £150,000

– 45% for income over £150,000

Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries)  139

New types of visas for foreign investors

Tier 1 UK investor visa was replaced with two new types of visas, the UK innovator visa and the start-up visa. These are intended for businessmen who are eager and capable of establishing startups. This is a significant difference from the previous entrepreneur visa. Now, the applicant must have a unique business plan and he/she must have the necessary skills, experience, and market awareness to run the business, as well as evidence of structured planning. This includes the possibility of job creation and expansion into both national and global markets.

UK innovator visa

The innovator visa allows entrepreneurs with innovative and scalable business ideas to establish their businesses in the UK. To be eligible for the innovator visa in the UK, an applicant must have an innovative business idea that has been endorsed by an approved body in the UK. This must be satisfied with the applicant’s business plan which should be innovative, viable, and with growth potential. The applicant must also invest at least GBP 50,000 in his/her business in the UK.

In addition, the applicant must meet the standard requirements for a UK visa, such as passing an English language test, providing evidence of his/her ability to support himself/herself in the UK, and providing a clean criminal record. Successful applicants are initially granted permission to stay in the UK for three years and may apply to extend their stay for an additional three years. After five years, they may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, which is similar to permanent residency. For more information, get in touch with our UK immigration lawyers

UK startup visa

The start-up visa in the UK allows entrepreneurs with innovative and viable business ideas to set up and grow their businesses in the UK. To be eligible for the start-up visa, an applicant must have an innovative business idea with growth potential. The applicant must have an endorsement from an approved endorsing body in the UK, which will assess the applicant’s business plan and confirm that the applicant has the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge to run the business.

Start-up visa applicants are initially granted permission to stay in the UK for two years and may apply to extend their stay for another two years. After five years, they may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which is similar to permanent residence in the UK.

Extending the investor visa in the UK

Once the investor visa in the UK is obtained, the applicant also receives a residence permit. At the time of expiration, it can be extended for another two years upon request. Here, we state that applications for family members are made separately from the main candidates, but documents can be submitted at the same time. Around GBP 1,884 is the fee for extending such a visa, and the extension decision can be issued in about 8 weeks. However, an extra GBP 500 is requested in case a fast decision for visa extension is needed. Such a decision can be made in a maximum of 5 working days. You should discuss all the legal aspects of visa extension in 2024 with our immigration lawyer in the UK.

Residence for family members of a UK investor visa applicant

If you have obtained residency by investment in the UK and you want your family to obtain the same status, you must know that the application is made separately. Family members who can apply for this type of visa include spouses, partners, children under 18 years of age, or dependents over 18 years of age if living in the UK. The application can be made online and we advise you in this case to collaborate with our immigration specialists. They can deal with the preparation of documents and compliance with the formalities required by the authorities.

Getting a British passport while enjoying the investor visa

If you received residence by investment in the UK through available programs, you can qualify for British citizenship at some point. Thus, if you already have an investor visa and residency for 5 years, you can opt for citizenship. UK citizenship by naturalization is the optimal method in this case. Here, you have to prove that you have Indefinite to Remain Status, obtained after 2 or 3 years of living in the UK with an investor visa.

You can also get British citizenship if you marry a UK citizen, but after proving that you have lived together for at least 5 years. Once this status is obtained, the British passport is also issued, one of the most powerful documents in the world, which allows visa-free travel to approximately 185 countries in the world. Thus, with a British passport, there is no need for an entry visa in the Schengen member countries, Australia, Canada, or Japan. If you are interested in obtaining a British passport through citizenship, we invite you to discuss all legal aspects with our specialists.

Some of the reasons to relocate to the UK

The UK is an excellent destination for those looking for a stable climate as well as a strong economy that can support at least a decent living. Many foreigners choose to immigrate to the UK to benefit from an excellent health system, as well as an educational one. Political and economic stability is another criterion considered for immigration to the UK. Moreover, there are many business and work opportunities in the UK for investors and specialists in various fields. Interestingly, the UK government emphasizes equal opportunities, so that the laws are clear regarding discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, etc.

Choosing our immigration lawyers in London

Our UK immigration solicitors can offer complete legal support for non-EU/EEA citizens interested in residency by investment in the UK in 2024. Assistance is recommended for properly respecting the eligibility criteria of UK visas. We have a dedicated team of immigration lawyers in the UK who can provide the needed advice for citizens interested in relocating to the UK without complications. Some visa rejection cases might appear if applicants do not respect the requirements referring to documents and other formalities. Professionalism, confidence, and efficiency stand at the base of any collaboration with our clients because we want to offer the best possible outcomes right from the start. Our lawyers can help you apply for residency in the UK.

Short facts about immigration in the UK

Here are some interesting facts and figures about immigration in the UK:

  • Over 81,000 family visas were issued in the UK in 2023.
  • More than 108,000 family visa extensions were issued in the same year.
  • Over 102,000 people received humanitarian protection in the UK in 2023.
  • Around 67,000 asylum applications were registered in the UK in 2023.

Would you like to know more about residency by investment in the UK and related requirements imposed by the legislation? You are invited to discuss with our team of immigration solicitors in London and discover the legal support we can offer. Furthermore, if you want comprehensive information about immigration to the UK, you can get legal assistance from our lawyers. Contact us and make an appointment with our specialists.