United Kingdom

United Kingdom Investment Immigration Programs Overview

NOTE: The UK scrapped the Tier 1 Investor Visa route on February 17, 2022.

The UK residency routes offer a chance to settle in a stable, cosmopolitan country with a vibrant business community, free healthcare (for its permanent residents), and some of the best schools and universities in the world. 

The programs are aimed at people who want to settle permanently in the UK and offers a valuable pathway to residency and eventually citizenship. After several years as a resident, investors will receive permanent residency. 

CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT

UK does not operate a citizenship-by-investment program. Previously, investors were able to receive admission to the UK under the Tier 1 Investor Visa program; however, they could qualify for citizenship after a minimum of five years of residency, without making any additional investments. The investor visa program was scrapped on February 17, 2022. 

As of March 2023, the only available option for investors and startups to gain residency in the UK is the Innovator Founder route. The visa, which is available to applicants starting April 13, 2023, is given to applicants who can demonstrate business ideas that are innovative, viable, and scalable. The application process includes obtaining endorsement letters from one out of three government-designated endorsing bodies, and the visa is given for renewable three years.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants for the Innovator Founder visa can submit their applications at the government website starting April 13, 2023. They can do so from outside the UK, or also while in the UK on any other type of visa, which will then switch to the Innovator Founder visa if their applications are accepted.

MOBILITY

The ILR status does not automatically allow visa-free travel. Once the visa-holder qualifies for British citizenship, it changes considerably: the British passport is one of the strongest in the world, offering visa-free travel to 175 countries.

The British travel and employment rights in Europe has changed but the passport-holders are able to stay in EU countries for up to 90 days in any 180 days. 

COUNTRY

Britain remains a major international power and a global financial hub. Despite Brexit, UK remains one of Europe’s most powerful economies, and its stability, world-class educational system, and free health service for permanent resident should ensure it remains a magnet for immigration investors in coming years.

Updated by Henan Zhang and Uglobal Staff

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