How many points do I need to apply for an investor visa to UK?

An investor visa to the UK is a perfect solution for wealthy foreigners that want to be able to live in the United Kingdom for a long time in return for a significant contribution to the local economy. A big thing about this visa is that there is no language requirement, no work or education requirements and you can bring your family with you – work, study or simply enjoy life in a safe and stable environment.

It is also very important that you do not just bury a few million pounds for a few years. Great Britain is in top 10 investment destinations of the world. With a sensible and thoughtful approach, every penny will be earning you money.

Points awarded by the immigration office

Tier 1 investor category is part of the Point-based System that the UK Home Office uses to evaluate visa applicants. An investor applying for the first visa must get 75 points.

How to get the required points?

Two conditions must be satisfied:

1. You must have control over your own or family funds on an account in a UK or foreign bank. It must be at least £2 million. If you have money in another currency, it must be equivalent to the said amount as converted on the date of application.

Control means you must have access to the funds. If you have already invested, you must apply for an investor visa within 12 months after that. In you invest after your visa is granted, do so within 3 months after arriving in the United Kingdom.

2. Prior to applying for an investor visa, you must open a bank account in a UK bank through which you will be investing money.

Additional requirements

The UK government is strengthening its fight against money laundering by adding a condition to a Tier 1 Investor visa. You must either show the source of investment funds or you must have this money on your account for at least 2 years.

You might be also required to do a tuberculosis test (depends on which country you come from) and provide a criminal record certificate for the 10 years preceding the application.

Points for investor visa extension

If you have invested the minimum required amount of £2 million, you will have to extend your visa in 3 years and four months for another 2 years. And again, you will need to score the same 75 points under the Points-Based System.

To get the points, all you need to do is to show that you have invested the money as and when required and have not made any withdrawals from that amount.

The UK economy is stable, but even if shares of a company or companies that you bought have dropped, you don’t have to do anything and stay in the country as investor. However, bear in mind that from March 2019 you cannot apply for a Tier 1 Investor visa through investment in government bonds.

As you can see, an investor visa can be a great chance to move legally to a developed country with a lot of opportunities. On the other hand, when a lot of money is involved, you should always get a professional legal and financial advice to minimise risks. Find a reliable law firm and get your investor visa application sorted quickly and with the highest score.