High net worth individuals who are capable of making a substantial financial investment in the UK can apply for entry clearance as Tier 1 (Investor) Migrants. To qualify for entry clearance applicants must have net assets of at least £1 million. Unlike other routes under the points based system, Tier 1 (Investor) applicants are not required to meet any English Language requirement.

Applicants can apply under the Investor category if they have access to:

• £1m that is disposable in a financial institution or
• £2m in personal assets and £1m by way of a loan

After their entry to the UK Tier 1 (Investor) Migrants need to invest a minimum of £750,000 in the UK into UK Government bonds, share or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies - but not in those principally engaged in property investment. There are specific restrictions and requirements on how an applicant's assets can be taken into account to prove entitlement for entry clearance and how the necessary investment is to be made and maintained.

If the investor decides to invest £750,000, the remaining balance (in this case £250,000) must be maintained in the UK. This balance can be held in the form of assets (including property) or cash savings.

The investment of at least £750,000 must be made within three months of a successful applicant's arrival in the UK. Failure to do so will jeopardise the applicant's application for an extension in this category and could lead to the UK Border Agency to curtailing leave to enter granted in this category.

Tier 1 (Investor) Migrants are entitled to work in the UK without a job offer, but not as a doctor in training. Leave to enter the UK is granted for an initial period of three years, and further leave to remain for a period of two years. Non-EEA nationals under this category are permitted to bring their immediate family members (spouse and children) to the UK as their dependants. Provided that they meet the various requirements, dependants will be able to apply for permanent residency and British nationality alongside the main applicant.

Settlement

Non-EEA nationals must complete a continuous residence period of 2, 3 or 5 years in this category before they can apply for settlement. It may be possible to apply for settlement after three years if:

The continuous residence period is 2 years if:

• you have money of your own under your control in the UK amounting to at least £10 million; or
• you own personal assets with a value (once any liabilities are taken into account) of at least £20 million, and you have at least £10 million under your control and disposable in the UK which has been loaned to you by a UK regulated financial institution.

The continuous residence period is 3 years if:

• you have money of your own under your control in the UK amounting to at least £5 million; or
• you own personal assets with a value (once any liabilities are taken into account) of at least £10 million, and you have at least £5 million under your control and disposable in the UK which has been loaned to you by a UK regulated financial institution.

The continuous residence period is 5 years if:

• you have money of your own under your control in the UK amounting to at least £1 million; or
• you own personal assets with a value (once any liabilities are taken into account) of at least £2 million, and you have at least £1 million under your control and disposable in the UK which has been loaned to you by a UK regulated financial institution.