Business Immigration UK - Investors

Introduction Immigration to UK for Investors

This guide is for the purpose of all those people who wish to come to the UK as passive portfolio investors. As an entrepreneur, if you want to establish and set up your own business in the UK; please take a look at our Immigration to UK for Entrepreneurs page.

If it is the case that someone else is coming to the UK to run your business for you, then please take a look at our UK Sole Representative's Visa Page.

Do I qualify to come to the UK as an Investor?

The UK will welcome all those individuals with the necessary funds to enter the country as an investor, providing:

You must have at least £1 million in your control to invest in the UK, of which at least £750,000 must be invested in:
- Unit trusts
- Private companies.
And NOT in:
- Banks or building society accounts - Property investment companies - Off shore companies

You can invest the remaining £250,000 as you so wish.
You can’t take up employment beyond managing your investment
The UK will have to become your main home and you should spend at least 50% of your time here.

What about My Family?

Your spouse and children can accompany you as your dependents.

Education

Your children are entitled to the same education as British citizens and you may wish to send your children to a private school.

Health care

You and your family will be entitled to free health care with the NHS (National Health Service). You are not acquired to take out private health insurance, however you may do so if you so wish.

Am I able to make the UK my home on a permanent basis?

Once you have established your assets and you plans, you will be granted with a visa for a 12 month period. It will not be necessary to make any investment for the visa to be issued nonetheless you should have still transferred your funds within the first three (3) months of your arrival in the UK.

After this 12 month period in the UK, you can apply for a three (3) years extension on your visa which should be granted, provided:

You would have transferred your funds to the UK within 3 months of your arrival,
Any reduction in the value of your investment in the UK is due solely to fluctuations in share price,
Your total investment capital still excesses £1 million.

You can expect your application to be closely examined if during your first 12 month period in the UK, the value of your UK portfolio falls below£1 million and you can expect in some circumstances that you may not get your extension.

After this 4 year period in the UK you can apply for Permanent Residence. You will be able to apply for naturalisation as a British Citizen, one year after you have obtained your Permanent Residency. Click here for more information on this.

How do I Apply?

You will have to make the application from outside of the UK.
We can assist you with all aspects of the application.

You will have to provide all the necessary documents to prove that you have the funds at your disposal and the details of the investment you plan to make, we can help you with the drafting and presentation of this plan, however please be aware that we do not give investment advice!

Do not hesitate to contact us for further information on this matter.