New
rules for Tier 1
(Investor) visa holders

11 March 2015

The Home Office has announced that the Tier 1 (Investor) visa category will undergo changes as part of the general changes being made to the Immigration Rules  across many visa categories. The majority of these changes will come into effect on 6 April 2015.

Minimum Age

Applicants will need to be 18 years of age or over in order to qualify for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa. The current minimum age requirement is set at 16 and is being raised because 16 is not an age at which most individuals have control of their own finances.

Bank Account

According to the changes, applicants will be obliged to open an FCA-regulated UK bank ahead of their application in order to qualify for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa. Evidence of this must be provided in a document produced by the bank from which the account has been opened.

The Investment Portfolio

The current top-up requirement to maintain the investment at its original market price has now been amended. As of 6 April this year, Tier 1 Investor visa holders will be able to maintain their investment by purchasing a new investment at the price it was sold, regardless of whether a profit or loss was made. The investor will have six months or until the next reporting period after the sale, whichever is closest, to make their next investment purchase.

The full amount of the investment portfolio must now be invested for the full term of the investment. Any income or profit made from the investments, however, may be removed from the portfolio for private use.

Fees

It will no longer be possible to pay any fees, transaction costs, or taxes from the investment portfolio if these charges will deplete the original investment sum. Instead, buffer money and income generated from the portfolio can be used for such charges.

How can we help?

Smith Stone Walters has extensive experience of filing successful Tier 1 applications on behalf of our clients.  By partnering with us, you can be assured that your immigration application process will be managed in a professional and cost-effective manner.

Whether you already in the UK as a Tier 1 (Investor) or are planning a new application, Smith Stone Walters can provide you with the support you need to successfully remain in or enter the UK.

Share story