Nowadays, obtaining a visa through investment is a reality in the United Kingdom through four modalities. This has the characteristic of offering its applicants the opportunity to reside in the country legally and with free mobility to carry out their business within the big island.

This mechanism is functional for those people who wish to reside, with or without their families, in a much faster way. Also, being part of this type of visa offers the chance to apply for British citizenship.

Learn in our article how permanent residency in the UK can be an opportunity full of great benefits.

Types of visas and requirements

Tier 1 Investor Visa

The investor visa is designed for those who wish to obtain residency in the UK through the investment of funds. Anyone wishing to take this route should follow the steps below.

Money

You must have in your personal account a total of £2 million available for investment purposes. As long as this amount does not decrease while you hold the investor visa, you will be able to carry out any type of activity within British territory. In case this money is not in your personal account and is in a third party, the third party must transfer it to you. Also, you must show that you can move such an amount and convert it to pounds sterling freely and quickly to the United Kingdom to show that you have such a monetary amount.

Furthermore, the money must be on deposit with one or more financial institutions for a period of 2 years before applying for the visa or prove through a notarized document how much money you have, where the money is held and the origins of the money. 

According to Companies House, the investment amount is understood to be the money paid by the applicant for the investment and not the face value of the investment. This clears the way for those buying bonds. These can include interest earned on the minimum required investment, as long as it is not withdrawn from the account and decreases the amount of the required visa amount. 

Where to Invest

Currently you can invest £2 million or more in loan or equity capital. You can also invest in active and trading companies. However, you cannot invest in real estate investment, management and development companies. Nor can it invest in real estate. In other words, it cannot do so in companies that deal exclusively in property. 

What is an active and trading company in the UK? It is any company that is registered with Companies House and the Inland Revenue to make tax and PAYE payments. They are also companies that have their accounting and banking activity in the United Kingdom, which means that they own their own goods and services. Finally, another characteristic of this type of company is that they must have two employees who are in British territory and who are not directors of the board. 

Institutional and Legal Formalities 

The applicant must have a bank or investment account in the United Kingdom that is regulated and approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and must submit a letter evidencing the opening of such an account in such an institution. 

You must also show your criminal record to the Home Office. This must be certified by the country where you have lived for the last 12 months or 10 years. 

In case you are a non-EU national, the UK will require the following: a current passport, a three months old official document from the country showing your last address of residence. This document can be a utility bill, bank statement, tax payment or home insurance. 

This document must also be accompanied by a document signed by a lawyer or notary certifying that the document is valid. 

Similarly, if you are a person who is linked to a public and political person, you will be asked for other documents or other procedures such as: further verification of your identity, in-depth details of your financial situation and family assets, review of your contracts to be signed regarding the investment you are about to make in the United Kingdom. 

In terms of health, a tuberculosis test will be performed. 

Other Requirements

You do not need to demonstrate that you speak or write English. 

You do not need to prove that you can support yourself financially as long as you already have your investor visa. Just remember that your investment amount cannot be less than £2 million. 

If you are in the UK on visas such as Student 4, Tier 2 or Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas, you can apply for the investor visa. 

Processing Fees

According to the Home Office, you will have to pay a fee of £1,623 for the visa application. 

You will also have to pay a fee of £624 per year for five years for immigration health care. 

These amounts are current and are only subject to review (if necessary) in April of each year.

Tier 1 Start-Up/Innovator Visa

This type of visa is for those who wish to set up or run a business in the UK. Also for those who wish to break into the markets with a new business proposition, generating new services, creating new skills and trends within the economy. 

Start Up Visa

Designed for those who want to create new businesses in the United Kingdom. The Start Up visa has a duration of only two years. After this period there is no extension. The user must apply for an innovator visa or leave the country. It is not necessary for the applicant to be the creator of the business, nor will he/she be restricted from engaging in other economic activities while using the visa. 

Requirements 

One of the requirements for this type of visa is to have a business proposal. It must be designed under three fundamental pillars: innovation, viability and scalability. Innovation in terms of the genuineness and originality of the business to be undertaken. Viability in terms of the applicant's skills to make the idea successful and scalability in terms of the potential to provide jobs and economic growth. 

Institutional Endorsement 

The business proposal must have an institutional endorsement from the UK Institute of Higher Education (IHE). This body is responsible for reviewing projects and attesting to their viability. After approval, the IES forwards the information to the Home Office to attest to whether or not the project has been approved. 

Other institutes that can give this institutional endorsement are the Scottish Funding Council, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland. 

Another consideration to take into account is that the institutes must attest that the applicant has not previously had a business and that if so, the applicant must apply for the innovator visa. 

Credibility

The applicant must prove to the Ministry of the Interior that he/she has the intention and ability to undertake education and work history. Also that he/she will work without breaking the law, that the money he/she possesses is available precisely to be used in the economic activity he/she has indicated in his/her application. 

This documentation must also be submitted to the Ministry of Finance. 

On the other hand, it is possible that the applicant will be notified for an interview before these bodies.

Other Requirements

The applicant must be able to speak English at B2 level. To prove this, the applicant must come from an English-speaking country, show a certificate of having studied the language or have taken an English leveling that authorizes migration. 

To have in your bank account £945 in a period of 90 days. Also, if you have people under your support, you must pay £630 for each one of them, next to £945.

You must submit a TB test certificate. 

Processing Fees

The cost of the Start Up visa, when applying outside the UK, is £363. 

The applicant will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge of £624 per year.

Innovator Visa

This type of visa is intended for more experienced entrepreneurs who aim to create companies that set new trends in the market. Unlike the start up visa, the innovator visa can be extended and has a duration of 3 years. After 6 years under this immigration status, you can apply for permanent residency. 

Endorsement

Before applying for your visa, you must have a guarantor. This must testify that your business project is genuine and can create new markets. Moreover, you must demonstrate that you possess the necessary skills to run your business. And finally, you must show the potential of your idea in job creation and economic growth. 

You must also demonstrate that you have significant business achievements. Have a company registered in the Commercial Registry and that you are listed as a director or partner of the company. That such company is active and can support itself with its goods and services. As well as the day-to-day management of such a company. 

Money

To apply for this type of visa, you must have £50,000 to invest in the new business. In case two individuals are partners and want to apply for this type of visa, they cannot share the investment fund. Both of you must own £50000 on your own account.

As such, you will also need to demonstrate that you can freely move this amount and that it is available in your bank account.

Credibility

The applicant must demonstrate to the Home Office that he/she has the intention and ability to undertake education and work history. Also that he/she will work without breaking the law, that the money he/she possesses is available precisely to be used in the economic activity he/she has indicated in his/her application. 

This documentation must also be submitted to the Ministry of Finance. 

On the other hand, it is possible that the applicant will be notified for an interview before these bodies. 

Other Requirements

The applicant must be able to speak English at B2 level. To prove this, the applicant must come from an English-speaking country, show a certificate of having studied the language or have completed an English language proficiency level that authorizes migration. 

To have in your bank account £945 in a period of 90 days. Also, if you have people under your support, you must pay £630 for each one of them, next to £945.

You must submit a TB test certificate. 

Processing Fees

The cost of the innovator visa application is £1021 and its extension is £1277.

The applicant will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge of £624 per year.

Overseas Company Representative Visa

The applicant had to have worked for the company for 6 months before entering the UK and apply for this type of visa. This visa is designed for people who are key players in a company. However, you cannot be the owner or shareholder of the company.

Requirements

If you are entering the UK as the sole representative of an overseas company, you must be recruited and employed outside the UK by a company whose principal place of business is outside the UK. You must also hold a senior position in that company with the power to establish that company's first commercial presence in the UK. 

The representative must be paid a reasonable salary in the UK by the parent company and have full powers to manage the branch or subsidiary in the UK as managing director.

In addition, the company's representative must show a business plan demonstrating a profit and loss projection. The business plan must show in detail the business activities of the company. It will have to demonstrate that the branch to be opened in British territory will carry out the same activities. In addition, the applicant's position in the company, salary and employment contract must be detailed. 

The applicant cannot be a sales agent and cannot have a job outside the company in the UK. 

There is no investment amount for this type of visa, nor is there a need to employ a UK resident. 

This visa has a duration of three years and can be extended for two more. After this time, the visa holder may apply for ILR and after six years may apply for British citizenship. 

The applicant must also speak the language at an A1 level in oral and written expression. 

The applicant (and dependents) must undergo a tuberculosis test. You may also bring your dependents (spouse and children under the age of 18) on this visa.

An overseas business visa representative costs £610 plus the immigration health surcharge of £624 per year.

At MUNDO we understand that these processes can be time consuming and complex if you go through them on your own. That is why we put at your service a whole line of experts in migration, financial systems and tax payments.

We have an efficient and qualified group of corporate lawyers, tax advisors, auditors and accountants. You will be in good hands trusting us. Do not wait any longer and be part of a great experience towards the success of your life and business.

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