Investor Visas – The New Rules

Summary

In October 2014 the Government enacted legislation to give effect to some of the recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee which were published in February 2014, the main change being the increase in the minimum threshold for an investor visa applicant from £1 million to £2 million.

Any investors who applied for their initial investor visa prior to 6 November 2014 can continue to benefit from the lower minimum threshold for investment into the UK of £1 million. The remainder of this note will address the new rules which came into effect on 6 November 2014 and will only affect investors who apply on or after this date.

Essentially the ability to obtain the initial Tier 1 (Investor) visa is simple. You need to demonstrate to the Home Office that you have at least £2 million which can be converted into sterling (if necessary) and can be transferred into the UK.