UK investor and entrepreneur routes

Amounts, thresholds and processing times quoted on this page are from our earlier guide and change often. We confirm the current figures with the authority before you commit to anything.

The UK closed the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route to new applicants in March 2019 and the Tier 1 (Investor) route on 17 February 2022. The notes below describe those routes as they were; today's equivalents are the Innovator Founder visa and, for established businesses, the Expansion Worker and Self-Sponsorship routes covered on this site.

UK Tier 1 Investor Visa

UK Visa for Investment - You can apply for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa if you have GBP 1 million or more in investment funds and you can prove that the money belongs to either you or your husband, wife, unmarried or same-sex partner. Does anybody want to apply for British Immigration by Investment?

Your money can be in the UK or overseas when you apply.

You can apply for a Tier 1 Investor visa if:

• You want to invest GBP $2,000,000 or more in the UK
• You are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
• You meet the other eligibility requirements
• You must have access to at least GBP $2,000,000 in investment funds to apply

How long it will take:

• You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK
• You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks
• Check the guide processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in your country

How long you can stay:

• You can come to the UK with a Tier 1 (Investor) visa for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months
• You can apply to extend this visa for another 2 years

You can:

• Invest GBP $2,000,000 or more in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies.
• Work or study
• Apply to settle after 2 years if you invest GBP $10,000,000
• Apply to settle after 3 years if you invest GBP $5,000,000

You can't:

• Invest in companies mainly engaged in property investment, property management or property development
• Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
• Get public funds

Tier 1 Entrepreneur

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa is aimed at those wishing to set up, join or take over an existing UK business and in most cases making a minimum investment £200,000.

If you are switching into the Tier 1 Entrepreneur category from the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur category, or if your investment funds come from an FCA-registered venture capital firm investment or UK government department, the investment threshold is reduced to £50,000. There is different eligibility requirements depending on whether you are required to demonstrate access to £50,000 or to £200,000.

What you need to know

In making your initial entry to the UK as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur, you will be granted a 3 year and 4 month visa. You shall be able to apply to extend this visa at the end of the period for a further 2 years.

• Unless you meet the criteria to qualify to meet the £50,000 investment, you must demonstrate that you have access to £200,000 that is held in a regulated financial institution. The funds can be held in either yours or your partners name or of a third party that is providing you with the funds.
• You are required to provide evidence that you are proficient in English language.
• You must meet the Maintenance criteria and provide evidence that you can support yourself and any dependants during your stay
• You must meet the Genuine Entrepreneur Test, which involves the provision of a business plan and background as to the skills, qualifications and experience necessary to establish a business in the UK.
• As a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa holder, you are not allowed to carry out any work outside your business, or be employed by another business. Also, you cannot claim UK public funds

You can bring as your dependants, children under the age of 18 and your spouse/unmarried/civil partner. For further information, please see our section for Family Members.