RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENTUnited Kingdom
Where historic culture meets modern culture in a mix that is as compelling as it is unique.
The United Kingdom is a unique country made up of four nations: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. England, Wales, and Scotland also make up Great Britain. The birthplace of Shakespeare and The Beatles it has long been one of the top destinations in the world to want to live. London is still considered the financial capital of the world with a truly international business environment and cosmopolitan flavour. Right across the UK there are many other dynamic business hubs and cities full of vibrant life surrounded by picturesque countryside that beckons to be explored. Enjoy the parks, woodlands, moors, hills and mountains, you are never far away from stunning scenery. There are also some amazing things to see and do, whether it’s iconic landmarks, breath-taking coastal views, world-class restaurants or international music festivals the UK has something for everyone.
Scotland – Edinburgh
N. Ireland - Belfast
Fact Sheet
WHY CHOOSE UK
In addition to its position on the world stage as a significant world economic and political power, the UK is also renowned for having some of the best educational institutions in the world. As a place to live and work entrepreneurial business is actively encouraged and you can enjoy free state education (pre university level) and free NHS health care. Being the home of the Commonwealth has welcomed many people to its shores giving a truly colourful and diverse international flavour to everyday life with an eclectic mix of religion, language, aromas and cultures all blending into one.
MINIMUM INVESTMENT & PROCESSING TIME
Innovator Founder Visa
. Investment – Sufficient funds to establish and run the business
. Approval in 8 weeks
QUALIFICATIONS
- To meet the criteria for an Innovator Founder Visa, the applicant must present a business plan that is both innovative and capable of achieving scalability and commercial success.
- The applicant must possess the necessary resources to execute the plan realistically and must possess the requisite skills, knowledge, experience, and market awareness to succeed in running the business.
- The plan must also contain evidence of structured planning, the potential for job creation, and the ability to expand into both national and international markets.
- It is necessary for the applicant to play a crucial role in the daily management and growth of the business. However, exemptions may apply.
- If the applicant is not exempt, they must demonstrate proficiency in all four components of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages at a minimum level of B2. This includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- Additionally, those seeking entry clearance as an Innovator Founder must possess a minimum of £1,270 in personal funds that have been held for a period of 28 days prior to the application date.
- Applicant must demonstrate English language at CEFR level B2.
Investment Criteria
AVAILABLE OPTIONS
Innovator Founder Visa
Starting April 13, 2023, the Innovator route will be replaced by the Innovator Founder route, which provides entry for overseas nationals seeking to establish an innovative business and offers a pathway to settlement in the UK. The new Appendix Innovator Founder will facilitate this route for individuals with a viable, innovative, and scalable business idea they have developed or significantly contributed to.
The minimum investment funds requirement of £50,000 for the Innovator Visa route will no longer be mandatory for the new Innovator Founder route, allowing for more flexibility for those with a genuine innovative business proposal and adequate funds to execute it.
To apply for an Innovator Founder Visa, applicants must obtain an endorsement letter from an endorsing body, with legacy endorsing bodies accepted for letters issued before April 13, 2023, or for those who previously had permission under the Start-up route with the same endorsing body.
Applicants must earn 70 points to qualify for an Innovator Founder Visa, with 30 points for satisfying the business plan requirement, 20 points for demonstrating an innovative, viable, and scalable business venture, 10 points for meeting the CEFR level B2 English language requirement, and 10 points for satisfying the financial requirement.
The endorsement letter must confirm that the applicant meets the business plan requirement and has a business venture that is innovative, viable, and scalable.
BENEFITS
- The right to live, work, study, and do business in the UK.
- Investor’s Immediate family members, spouses and children under 18 are also eligible to enter the UK.
- Enjoy the benefits of living in one of the biggest economies in the world.
- Enjoy the benefits of one of the best healthcare systems in the world.
- The attractive tax regime for high-net-worth individuals who are resident but not domiciled.
- Direct international flight connections to almost all major cities in the world.
- World-renowned schools and universities.
- You and your family can eventually become British citizens, which would allow you to travel visa-free to more than 139 countries.
Indefinite Leave to Remain leading to Citizenship
If an applicant has spent a continuous period of 5 years in the UK, they can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Accelerated routes to settlement can be sought after 3 years if investments total £5 million or 2 years if investments total £10 million (for the investor only).
Applicants are required to meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must not have spent more than 180 days outside of the UK in any 12-month period.
- Applicants must have passed the Life in the UK Test.
- Applicants must meet the English Language requirement, which can be done by passing a language test.
Residency Requirements and Time Spent Outside the UK:
- If applicants do not intend to settle in the UK then no residency requirements are set, and they may extend their visa for 2 years after the initial clearance has expired.
- Those wishing to apply for permanent residency (ILR) are not permitted to spend more than 180 days outside the UK, in any rolling 12-month period.
- For UK Citizenship, applicants must not have spent more than 450 days outside of the UK in the 5-year period, and no more than 90 days during the 12 months prior to application.
Processing Time:
- The earliest that applicants can submit visa requests is 3 months prior to travel to the UK.
- Applicants can pay for a Priority Service to receive a decision within 5 working days.
Non-priority processing times for entry clearance applications are approximately 3 weeks if submitted from country of residence, or approximately 8-12 weeks for those switching their visa and currently residing in the UK.