Settlement by Investment

Applicants who wish to settle in the UK on the basis of investment (Tier 1 Investor) or transitory provisions (Tier 1 Entrepreneur) should take this route. Please keep in mind that Tier 1 Entrepreneur settlement applications will only be accepted until July 5, 2027, as the route is currently closed to new applicants.

Eligibility Requirements for Settlement

In order to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain, the applicant would normally need to satisfy the below requirements.

  • Spent a continuous period lawfully in the UK under a permitted category – ordinarly 5 years unless applying for accelerated settlement.
  • Not been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any of the 12 month periods preceding the date of application in a rolling basis
  • Have sufficient knowledge of the English language or exempted
  • Passed Life in the UK test or exempted

The different investment and business categories also have their own additional eligibility criteria for settlement, which are summarised below.

Settlement as a Tier 1 Investor

Investors under the Tier 1 category may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain if they have spent 5 years in the UK and satisfy the below requirements.

  • Invested not less than £2 million capital in the UK by way of UK Government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies
  • By maintaining at least £2 million of own funds, under own control, in the UK.

It is also possible to qualify for accelerated settlement after 3 years if maintained an investment of £5 million or after 2 years if maintained an investment of £10 million.

Settlement as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs under the Tier 1 category may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain if they have spent 5 years in the UK and satisfy the below requirements.

  • Registered as a business director or as self-employed within 6 months of either entering the UK as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur or being granted leave to remain as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur
  • Invested at least £200,000 or £50,000 (as appropriate) in a business or businesses in the UK
  • Created at least two full-time jobs for persons settled in the UK and these jobs have existed for at least 12 months.

If the applicant has generated 10 new employment or the business has received at least £5 million in gross income from business activities, fast settlement can be applied for after three years. It is also necessary to demonstrate to the Home Office that the applicant has formed, taken over, or become a director of a legitimate UK business, that the applicant has conducted that business, and that the applicant plans to continue operating the business in the UK.