British citizenship by investment

British Investor visas

The United Kingdom started offering an immigration route for foreign investors in 1994. In 2008, the UK introduced a new point-based system that included Tier 1 Investor and Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas. In 2019, British immigration authorities stopped processing applications for Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas, allowing to extend only the already issued visas. For the investors who wanted to launch their own business in the UK, a new visa type was introduced – Innovator visa.

Since long-term visas were introduced, immigration rules for non-EEA investors have changed several times, increasing some requirements and slackening others.

If you spend several years in the UK on Tier 1 Investor or Innovator visas, you will be able to obtain permanent residence (or ILR – Indefinite Leave to Remain). Then, in a year, you, as a permanent resident, will be able to apply for British citizenship. Let’s see what you need to do to get British citizenship.

Our advisors will help you to choose the best British immigration route, obtain the required visa, get British permanent residence and citizenship by investment as quickly as possible.

Benefits of investing in the UK

As one of the largest financial centres, the UK attracts entrepreneurs from all over the world, including those who are ready to invest into British economy to obtain the right to work and live in the UK.

Foreign investors know that the UK economy is always among the top five economies with the most attractive investment options. British economy is resilient to financial crisis. Its century-old entrepreneurial traditions, developed transport infrastructure, government support of small and medium-sized enterprises and vast markets offer ample opportunities for making good profit.

What other benefits, apart from financial ones, can foreign investors gain in the UK?

1. Comfort and secure living conditions.
2. Favourable taxation regime for the UK residents.
3. Top school and higher education.
4. High-quality healthcare and social guarantees.
5. Stable banking system that allows to secure and increase your savings.
6. British passport in 5–6 years for an investor and their family.
7. Visa-free access to 184 countries.

Differences between Tier 1 Investor and Innovator visas

The main difference between Tier 1 Investor and Innovator visas is that investors can buy shares or bonds of almost any British company. Innovators, alone or with other entrepreneurs, can invest only in their own business that they plan to develop in the UK. For your information, we have compiled a table comparing Tier 1 Investor and Innovator visas.

Visa requirements

Applicants for Tier 1 Investor and Innovator visas must comply with the following requirements:

1. The main applicant must be at least 18 years old.
2. All applicants must be in good Investors from some countries have to provide a negative tuberculosis test.
3. Applicants must have clean criminal and immigration records.
4. The main applicant can add dependents to their application: spouses, partners and minor children.
5. Innovators need to prove English knowledge at level B2. Investors do not need to pass the language test.

Investment options

Two routes are available leading to UK citizenship by investment:

1. Tier 1 Investor visa

To obtain Tier 1 Investor visa and later apply for permanent residence (ILR – Indefinite Leave to Remain), you need to invest at least £2,000,000 into British companies (irrespective of the number of dependants). You will be able to apply for permanent residence in a few years, depending on your investment amount:

• £2,000,000 to obtain permanent residence in 5 years;
• £5,000,000 to obtain permanent residence in 3 years;
• £10,000,000 to obtain permanent residence in 2 years.

Additional fees and charges apply.

You can apply for residence within the UK, when switching from another allowed category, or outside the country. Initial visa is granted for 3 years and 4 months and subject to extension for 2 years.

Even if you become UK permanent resident in 2 years, you will be able to apply for British citizenship only in 5 years. If you contribute the minimum investment amount of £2,000,000, you will be able to obtain British passport in 6 years.

2. Innovator visa

To obtain an Innovator visa, you need to invest at least £50,000 into your own British company, become its CEO and bear responsibility for its development until you get permanent residence (ILR).

There is one more important requirement. Your business plan must be assessed and endorsed by a relevant body. If the endorsing body loses its license and withdraws its endorsement, you must reapply to another similar body from the government list.

You can set up your company by yourself or with other entrepreneurs. If you form a team, each investor must contribute at least £50,000. Other fees and charges apply.

You can apply for Innovator visa outside the UK or within the UK, when switching from another allowed category. Initial visa is granted for 3 years and 4 months and subject to extension for 3 years for an unlimited number of times.

As an innovator, you and your family can apply for permanent residence (ILR) in 3 years and get British passport in 5 years.

British citizenship

As it was mentioned above, investors can get permanent residence (ILR) under the accelerated procedure in 2 or 3 years, but they and their families will be able to naturalise only in 5 years. Standard procedure usually takes 6 years, and two main requirements must be met: you must live in the UK for 5 years and be a permanent resident for 1 year.

Requirements for an applicant

1. You must spend no more than 450 days outside the UK during 5 years prior to applying for naturalisation, and no more than 90 days in the last 12 months.
2. All adult applicants must prove their knowledge of English and pass the Life in the UK test.
3. Applicants must have no criminal or administrative offenses.

British citizenship by investment with Imperial & Legal

Imperial & Legal advisors have extensive experience in successfully delivering various immigration cases for British and EU migrants. Our experts provide complex legal support in getting and extending visas, obtaining an indefinite leave to remain and applying for a British passport. We can also make your relocation to a new country comfortable and hassle-free and help you to develop your business, open bank accounts and plan taxes.

To get British passport, you need to go through 6 steps: