Can I extend my Investor visa based on £1 million investments?

For any Investor visa extension applications submitted on or after 6 April 2020, it is no longer possible to rely on qualifying UK investments of just £1 million.

If you obtained an initial Investor visa under the law prior to 6 November 2014, on the grant of your Investor status you would have only been required to invest £1 million into the UK economy.

However, since November 2014, Investor visa holders have been required to invest at least £2 million into qualifying UK investments.

Accordingly, the £1 million Investor route is being phased out.

If you are a £1 million Investor and are applying to extend your visa on or after 6 April 2020, as part of this extension application you will need to show that:

1. You invested at least £750,000 in qualifying UK investments within 3 months of your initial entry to the UK as an Investor (with the remaining £250,000 balance held in qualifying UK investments, cash in a regulated financial institution and/or residential UK property); AND
2. Prior to the submission of your extension application, your qualifying UK investments have been topped up, such that you have purchased investments for a minimum price of £2 million (not including cash in a regulated financial institution and/or the value of any UK residential property)

Both the Home Office and your UK investment manager will require documents confirming the source of the additional £1 million.

Similarly, if you are a £1 million Investor and are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain on or after 6 April 2022, as part of this ILR application you will need to show that your investments have been topped up to the £2 million threshold.

How Gherson can assist

The Gherson Immigration Team has extensive experience in Tier 1 Investor visa matters. Please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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