The UK’s Tier 1 Investor visa once offered high-net-worth individuals a direct route to residency through substantial financial investment. That pathway closed in 2022, leaving many prospective applicants questioning whether the UK still welcomes investors and what alternatives remain available. Although there is no longer a dedicated investor visa, wealthy individuals can still explore a range of business and talent-based routes that lead to long-term residency and, in some cases, British citizenship.
Given the closure of the Tier 1 route and the options that have emerged since, setting realistic expectations and planning strategically have become critical. Investors should consider not only immigration eligibility but also the wider implications of UK residency, from tax exposure to compliance with business regulations. This guide explains the current position, outlines available alternatives and provides practical insight for those still considering the UK as their destination.
Section A: Investor Visa UK Overview
The term “Investor Visa UK” usually refers to the Tier 1 Investor visa, which allowed high-net-worth individuals to secure residency through significant investment in the UK economy. That visa category was closed by the Home Office in February 2022, following concerns over the source of funds, security issues, and broader questions about the integrity of the scheme.
Although it is no longer possible to apply for a UK investor visa, the phrase continues to be widely searched because people want to understand what happened to the route, whether it might return in some form, and what options exist today for wealthy applicants. The closure has left a gap in the UK immigration framework, particularly for those who viewed the investor visa as a straightforward means of gaining settlement and eventual citizenship through financial contribution alone.
For those considering the UK, the focus has shifted to other immigration categories that, while not structured around investment alone, may still provide viable routes for residency. These include visas designed for entrepreneurs, global talent leaders, and overseas businesses seeking to expand into the UK market.
Section B: Tier 1 Investor Visa Closure
The Home Office closed the Tier 1 Investor route to new applicants at 16:00 on 17 February 2022. The decision was taken on security and source-of-funds grounds and applied with immediate effect. Existing permission holders were not cut off, but new entries to the category stopped from that time.
The route stopped accepting new applications from 16:00 on 17 February 2022. Applications made at or after that time are treated as void and any fee is refunded.
Ministers cited integrity and security concerns, including the adequacy of checks on provenance of investment funds, despite earlier reforms.
1. Transitional arrangements for existing investors
Holders can still extend under the legacy rules, but only if they apply by 17 February 2026. Grants are typically for two years.
Indefinite leave to remain remains available until 17 February 2028, including the accelerated routes where the higher investment thresholds and maintenance requirements have been met.
Eligible dependants can still apply to join or extend in line with the main holder during the transition, subject to meeting the category rules. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
For extension applications made on or after 6 April 2023, UK government bonds held after that date no longer count. Investors relying on gilts needed to rebalance into qualifying share or loan capital in active and trading UK companies from 6 April 2023.
For ILR applications made on or after 6 April 2025, government bonds no longer count as qualifying investments. Investors who previously held gilts need to have moved into qualifying investments before that date.
2. If you still hold Tier 1 Investor permission in 2025
You can continue on the route during the transition provided your portfolio remains at the required level in qualifying investments and portfolio reporting is kept up to date. Timing is now the key risk area. Plan your final extension well before 17 February 2026 and map your ILR date against the 17 February 2028 deadline and the 6 April 2025 investment rules.
Review your dependants’ status early so their applications are filed within the permitted windows. If your investment profile or timelines no longer support ILR on this route, consider switching strategies in good time, for example to a business or talent-based category, to avoid falling out of status.
Section C: Current UK Immigration Landscape for Investors
The closure of the Tier 1 Investor visa left the UK without a direct residency route based solely on financial investment. Unlike other countries that continue to offer “golden visa” programmes, the UK government has made it clear that it does not intend to reintroduce a scheme where settlement can be purchased through capital injection alone. The stated position is that investment in the UK should be channelled through business activity, innovation, and skilled contribution rather than passive wealth transfer.
1. No direct replacement route
There is no visa currently available that allows an individual to qualify for residency purely through investing a set sum of money. The policy shift reflects concerns over national security, the adequacy of financial checks, and the desire to ensure that any immigration benefit is tied to demonstrable economic or cultural value. This means high-net-worth individuals now need to look at routes requiring active involvement in business or recognised expertise.
2. Government stance on investment for settlement
The Home Office has consistently argued that UK immigration policy should not create a marketplace for residency. Statements following the Tier 1 closure confirmed the government’s preference for routes that demand direct engagement with the UK economy, such as starting or expanding businesses or contributing through recognised talent. The focus is on ensuring applicants bring skills, innovation, and sustainable value rather than relying on passive financial contributions.
3. Distinction from business and work routes
It is important to distinguish between the old investor visa and today’s business and work-based categories. Current visas require applicants to demonstrate entrepreneurial input, endorsement by recognised bodies, or employment under sponsorship. While these categories remain open to wealthy individuals, they involve regulatory scrutiny and compliance duties far beyond what was required under the Tier 1 scheme. Investors considering the UK now need to approach immigration planning in tandem with business structuring, tax advice, and long-term settlement strategy.
Section D: Alternatives to the Investor Visa
With the Tier 1 Investor visa closed, those seeking to live in the UK through investment or entrepreneurial activity need to consider other visa routes that align with their objectives. While none replicate the simplicity of the former investor visa, several options remain viable depending on whether the applicant intends to start a business, join an existing company, or contribute expertise in a recognised field.
1. Innovator Founder visa
The Innovator Founder visa is the closest successor to the old entrepreneur route and is often the preferred option for those who wish to build a business in the UK. Applicants must have a business plan endorsed by an approved endorsing body that confirms the proposal is innovative, viable, and scalable. Unlike its predecessor, there is no fixed minimum investment requirement, although applicants are expected to have sufficient funds to launch and sustain their venture.
This route allows settlement after three years if the business meets performance and endorsement criteria, making it one of the few fast-track ILR routes still available. However, it requires active and ongoing participation in the running of the business. Investors seeking a passive arrangement or minimal operational involvement would find this unsuitable.
2. Global Talent visa
The Global Talent visa targets individuals recognised as leaders or emerging leaders in fields such as science, digital technology, and the arts. It does not require investment, job sponsorship, or endorsement from an employer, but applicants need to secure endorsement from an approved UK body relevant to their sector.
For wealthy applicants who are also accomplished professionals, this route offers flexibility to work, establish a business, or collaborate on UK projects without tying residency to a specific employer. Settlement is available after three or five years depending on the endorsement category. For those with an established international profile, this visa can provide a more credible route than seeking entry purely through investment.
3. Skilled Worker and sponsorship options
Some investors establish or acquire UK businesses and use the Skilled Worker visa framework to employ themselves or key staff under a sponsor licence. The employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and the role must meet the minimum skill and salary thresholds.
While this route does not replace the investor visa, it allows business owners to live in the UK lawfully while managing their operations. It also provides a path to ILR after five years, provided continuous lawful residence and salary requirements are met. The main challenge lies in compliance: the business must meet all sponsorship obligations, which can be administratively demanding and open to audit by the Home Office.
4. Expansion Worker and Global Business Mobility routes
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes, including the UK Expansion Worker visa, cater to overseas businesses expanding into the UK. These visas allow senior managers or specialist employees to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. Although they do not lead directly to settlement, they serve as a practical first step for investors planning a corporate footprint in the UK.
Once the business is operational and generating activity, the company can apply for a sponsor licence and transition to a Skilled Worker structure that supports long-term residence and potential settlement. This progression requires careful timing and alignment with business performance.
5. Other residency routes for high-net-worth individuals
High net worth individuals who cannot meet the requirements of business or work visas may explore other immigration categories that provide residence through family connections or long-term presence. Options include Partner or Parent visas, and in some cases the British National (Overseas) visa for eligible Hong Kong nationals.
Another potential pathway involves long-term work or business residence leading to ILR after ten years under the general long residence provisions. Although slower, this approach can suit those already maintaining ties or operations in the UK. For many high-net-worth individuals, combining immigration planning with tax and estate structuring can ensure that residency is secured without triggering unintended UK tax consequences.
Section E: Settlement and Citizenship Pathways
Settlement rules in the UK differ depending on the visa route, with some allowing accelerated eligibility and others requiring longer residence. The closure of the Tier 1 Investor visa removed one of the few fast-track settlement options based solely on financial investment.
1. Settlement under current visa routes
Under the Innovator Founder visa, applicants can apply for indefinite leave to remain after three years if they can demonstrate that their endorsed business has achieved measurable success against set criteria, such as job creation or revenue growth. The Global Talent visa also offers accelerated settlement after three years for those endorsed as leaders, while emerging leaders may qualify after five years.
For those under the Skilled Worker visa, settlement becomes available after five years of continuous lawful residence, provided they meet salary and employment continuity requirements. Dependants can apply for ILR at the same time, subject to their own residence periods. Other routes, such as family or long residence categories, generally require ten years of continuous lawful stay before ILR eligibility arises.
Applicants who start under temporary business routes, such as the UK Expansion Worker visa, may be able to switch into a settlement-qualifying category like Skilled Worker once the UK entity has been established. The key to maintaining eligibility is continuous lawful residence without gaps between visas and adherence to the specific route requirements. Time spent under non-settlement routes, including Expansion Worker or Visitor visas, does not count towards ILR.
The Home Office expects applicants to meet English language and Life in the UK test requirements before settlement. Each route also imposes minimum absence thresholds, so strategic planning around travel and international commitments is necessary, particularly for investors managing overseas interests.
2. Naturalisation as a British citizen
After securing ILR, it may be possible to apply for British citizenship after twelve months of holding settled status. Spouses of British citizens may apply immediately upon gaining ILR. To qualify, the individual must meet residence requirements, demonstrate good character, and intend to make the UK their principal home.
For investors, the journey to citizenship now takes longer and involves more active engagement than under the former Tier 1 route. However, the process remains open to those willing to combine business investment with sustained UK presence and compliance. Citizenship then provides the right to live, work, and invest in the UK without immigration restrictions.
Section F: Strategic Considerations for Investors
The decision to relocate to the UK as a high-net-worth individual involves far more than securing immigration status. The UK’s tax regime, business regulations and compliance expectations can significantly influence the overall cost and sustainability of residence. Without careful structuring and early planning, investors can face unintended tax liabilities or immigration difficulties that undermine the purpose of moving.
1. Tax planning and UK residency implications
Becoming UK resident for immigration purposes often triggers UK tax residency under the Statutory Residence Test. This can expose an investor’s worldwide income and gains to UK taxation unless appropriate non-domicile arrangements or remittance basis claims are made. The UK remains an attractive jurisdiction for global investors, but tax planning needs to be addressed before arrival rather than afterwards. Coordinating immigration timing with financial year dates can reduce exposure, especially for those transferring assets or business interests into the UK.
Inheritance tax is another area that can create unexpected liability. Long-term UK residents may become deemed domiciled for tax purposes, bringing worldwide assets into scope. Professional advice on trusts, corporate structuring, and residence timing can help manage exposure and maintain flexibility.
2. Business structuring and compliance
Investors using the Innovator Founder, Skilled Worker, or Expansion Worker routes need to ensure that their business entities meet both immigration and corporate law standards. The Home Office requires evidence that companies are genuine, active, and trading, with proper record keeping and tax registration. Companies House and HMRC filings are often reviewed as part of immigration assessments, and inconsistencies can trigger compliance scrutiny.
For sponsor licence holders, adherence to reporting and record-keeping duties is a continuing obligation. Failing to meet these duties can result in suspension or revocation of the licence, directly affecting sponsored status. Investors setting up UK operations should therefore align their immigration strategy with professional company management, HR systems, and legal governance from the outset.
3. Risks of informal or passive arrangements
Some investors attempt to remain in the UK through passive or informal means, such as extended visits or reliance on short-term categories. This approach carries significant risk. Visitor visas do not permit residence or active business management, and prolonged stays can attract attention from Border Force or result in refusal of future entry.
Similarly, relying on dependent visas or informal arrangements without a clear immigration strategy can restrict freedom to work, invest, or manage assets. It is safer and more sustainable to hold an immigration route aligned with actual activities and long-term goals.
4. Importance of coordinated legal and financial advice
For wealthy individuals, immigration planning rarely exists in isolation. Cross-border tax exposure, business restructuring, and family relocation all need to be managed together. Immigration advisers, tax specialists, and wealth managers should work collaboratively to design a lawful and efficient structure for residence, investment and succession.
Engaging advisers before making any financial transfer or property purchase in the UK can prevent irreversible errors. Once an individual becomes tax resident, retrospective restructuring is rarely effective. A joined-up plan ensures compliance with both Home Office and HMRC expectations and protects the investor’s long-term position.
Section G: Summary
The UK no longer offers a dedicated investor visa, but that does not mean it has closed its doors to global investors. Opportunities remain through the self-sponsorship, Innovator Founder, Global Talent and business mobility routes, provided they are used within a clear strategic and compliant framework.
Success now depends on detailed planning that integrates immigration, tax and regulatory considerations from the outset. Early professional advice is not only prudent but necessary to ensure investment goals align with UK immigration and financial requirements.
Section H: Need Assistance?
If you are considering investment or business migration to the UK, take professional advice before making any move or financial commitment. Early planning helps you select the most appropriate visa route, avoid regulatory pitfalls and protect your long-term residency objectives.
Our specialist immigration lawyers advise high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs and family offices on the full range of UK business and talent visa routes, settlement planning and compliance risk management. For tailored advice, contact us to discuss your plans and secure your route to UK residence.
Section I: FAQs
Can I still apply for a UK Investor visa?
The UK’s Tier 1 Investor visa route closed permanently to new applicants at 16:00 on 17 February 2022. There is no replacement visa that grants residency purely through investment. Anyone advertising or offering to secure a UK visa through direct investment alone should be treated with caution.
What happens if I already hold a Tier 1 Investor visa?
Existing Tier 1 Investor visa holders can continue to live in the UK and apply for extensions until 17 February 2026, provided they meet the route’s original requirements. They can apply for indefinite leave to remain up to 17 February 2028. However, investment in government bonds no longer qualifies from April 2023 onwards.
Is the UK planning to introduce a new investor visa?
There are no current plans to launch a new investor visa. Government policy has shifted towards encouraging active contribution through innovation and skilled business activity rather than financial investment alone. The Innovator Founder visa is the most comparable alternative for entrepreneurs seeking UK residence.
What are the best alternatives to the old investor visa?
The most relevant options are the Innovator Founder visa, Global Talent visa, Skilled Worker visa, and Global Business Mobility routes. The best choice depends on your professional background, business objectives, and how actively you intend to operate in the UK.
Can investors still achieve British citizenship?
Although the direct investor route is closed, citizenship remains attainable through other categories that lead to settlement. Once you hold indefinite leave to remain, you can apply for British citizenship after twelve months, subject to residence and good character requirements.
Do I need to live full-time in the UK to keep my visa?
Most settlement-qualifying visas have residence requirements. Excessive absences can delay or prevent eligibility for indefinite leave to remain. Investors managing international interests should plan travel carefully to ensure they maintain continuous residence.
Can I use property investment to qualify for a UK visa?
Property ownership or purchase does not qualify as an investment for immigration purposes. Although you can buy property as a UK resident, it does not provide a route to a visa or settlement in itself.
Is it possible to switch from a visit visa to an investment or business route?
Visit visas do not permit switching into other categories from within the UK. Applicants wishing to establish a business or invest should apply from overseas under an appropriate route such as Innovator Founder or Expansion Worker.
Can dependants join or accompany an investor under the new routes?
Most business and work visas allow dependants to apply as partners or children. They can work or study in the UK and may qualify for ILR in line with the main applicant once residence requirements are met.
What professional support should investors seek before applying?
Given the UK’s regulatory, tax, and immigration complexity, investors should obtain coordinated advice from an immigration lawyer, tax specialist, and corporate adviser. This ensures the visa route chosen supports wider financial and residency goals while remaining compliant with UK rules.
Section J: Glossary
| Term | Defintion |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 Investor visa | A visa route that allowed individuals to gain UK residency through substantial investment, closed in February 2022. |
| Innovator Founder visa | Visa for entrepreneurs with innovative, viable, and scalable business ideas endorsed by an approved body. |
| Global Talent visa | Visa for recognised leaders or emerging leaders in fields such as science, tech, and the arts. |
| Global Business Mobility (GBM) | Group of routes for overseas businesses establishing or transferring operations to the UK. |
| Skilled Worker visa | Visa for foreign nationals employed in eligible roles by licensed UK sponsors. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Permanent settlement status allowing individuals to live and work in the UK without time restriction. |
| Endorsing body | An organisation approved by the Home Office to assess and endorse business proposals or talent applications. |
| Statutory Residence Test (SRT) | HMRC’s framework for determining an individual’s UK tax residence status based on time spent and ties to the UK. |
| Life in the UK Test | A computer-based test assessing knowledge of British life, customs, and values. |
| Home Office | The UK government department responsible for immigration, security, and law enforcement. |
Section K: Additional Resources & Links
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK – Tier 1 Investor Visa Closure Announcement | Official Home Office notice confirming the closure of the Tier 1 Investor route to new applicants in February 2022. | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules-appendix-investor |
| GOV.UK – Innovator Founder Visa Guidance | Official eligibility and endorsement guidance for the Innovator Founder route, including settlement rules. | https://www.gov.uk/innovator-founder-visa |
| GOV.UK – Global Talent Visa Guidance | Eligibility requirements, endorsement criteria and guidance for the Global Talent visa route. | https://www.gov.uk/global-talent |
| GOV.UK – Global Business Mobility Visa Routes | Overview of the five GBM routes including Expansion Worker and Senior or Specialist Worker visas. | https://www.gov.uk/global-business-mobility |
| HMRC – Statutory Residence Test (SRT) Guidance | HMRC’s official manual explaining how UK tax residence is determined for individuals relocating to the UK. | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rdr3-statutory-residence-test-srt |
| GOV.UK – Indefinite Leave to Remain Overview | Official guidance on ILR eligibility, residence requirements and Life in the UK Test rules. | https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain |
| Home Office Policy Paper – Economic Migration Reform | Policy document outlining the UK Government’s long-term approach to investment and business immigration reform following the Tier 1 closure. | https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-immigration-policy |
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.
