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Teir 1 - Investor Visa
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Business Visas to the UK includes adaptable visa categories. UK Business Visas are applicable to flourishing business people and their families to extend and perform their business in the United Kingdom. These visas encompass the scope of permanent UK residence and British Citizenship, given that the applicants fulfill the additional criteria. We offer assistance with one of the chief Business Visa categories viz. TIER 1 – INVESTOR VISA.

Tier 1 – Investor Visa

The Tier 1 – Investor visa program is applicable to businesspersons with high net worth. The UK Business Visa regulations permit Tier 1 – Investor visa holders to assign substantial financial investment in the UK.

The Tier 1 – Investor visa program is designed for entrepreneurs who seek investment opportunities in the UK. The investor must intend to invest a sizeable amount of their wealth in the United Kingdom. The investment must be productive, be profitable to the UK economy, and facilitate financial growth of the state.

Visa, under this program, is granted for a maximum period of three (3) years initially. It allows the applicant to conduct extensive market research to recognize the most profitable venture to invest in.

The Tier 1 – Investor visa may be extended and eventually lead to permanent residence and UK Nationality, given that all the relevant prerequisites are fulfilled.

Tier 1 – Investor Visa Basic Requirements

To qualify for a Tier 1 – Investor visa, applicants must fulfill the following eligibility criteria,

The applicant must have at least £1 million of disposable funds held in regulated financial institutions in the UK and personal assets worth, taking into account any liabilities, minimum £2 million. The applicants are also eligible if they can prove to possess at least £1 million worth of personal disposable funds held in regulated financial institutions. Visa holders are exempted from the English language proficiency and minimum available maintenance (funds) requirements.

Under this category, visa holders are permitted to work in the United Kingdom, however there is no stringent applicable regulation that they must work.

Tier 1 – Investor Visa Entitlements

This visa entitles the Tier 1 – Investor Visa holders to conduct preparatory research and basic formalities for up to three (3) years, which can be extended leading to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Eligible dependants of the visa holder are permitted to be included. Upon obtaining the visa, the dependants may also work or study freely in Canada.

ILR entitles individuals to permanent residency. The individuals are also granted the permit for visa-free travel to and from the UK. ILR holders may also be eligible to sponsor their non-British relatives into the UK. This form of sponsorship, assuming that the applicant meets the remaining eligibility criteria, may lead to British citizenship.

Sole Representative Visa

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The UK Sole Representative Visa conceptualizes exploring business avenues in the UK and unfolding more prospects for an overseas business. This is an ideal pathway to enter the international market while also advancing your chances at UK Residency. UK Business Visas are a perfect platform to grow and nurture your business ideas and prosper overseas.

WHAT IS AN OVERSEAS OR SOLE REPRESENTATIVE VISA?

This visa is often seen as a very popular option for those looking to apply for the entrepreneur visa but do not want the outlay of a £200,000 investment. The overseas representative visa, also known as the sole representative visa, allows a senior representative of an already established company who do not have an existing U.K presence to come to the U.K to set up a U.K presence in the form of a branch or a subsidiary. The visa allows the senior representative to travel to the U.K in order to establish the company in the form of registering the company, conducting business matters, opening offices and acting as the sole representative of said company. ASI Global Migration provides guidance for applicants looking to obtain their overseas representative visa and will mange every step of the application process from first contact through to the granting of the visa as well as extensions.

What are the requirements?

To be eligible for the visa the applicant must:

  • apply from outside the EEA
  • have sufficient funds to maintain themselves without the need of access to public funds
  • meet the English language requirements
What is meant by a sole representative Visa?

A sole representative must meet a range of criteria that must be considered by the individual and company at the time of applications. Firstly, the individual must be employed and recruited by the company they will represent and said company must be based and have their main place of business outside of the U.K. The representative must have both substantial experience in setting up branches for companies as well as relevant industry knowledge and experience. As such the sole representative is required to have a senior position within the company that allows them the authority to make decisions on the behalf of the company they are representing. The company must be able to show that its ability to expand and grow within the U.K is demonstrable.

What type of companies should consider this option?

This visa is favorable for growing companies who have no presence in the U.K and are looking to move into the market. Because there is no investment requirement it is often seen as a more flexible option than the Entrepreneur visa. It is suited to SMEs who are looking to ‘test the waters’ and expand into the U.K who do not want to invest a lump sum of capital into the business nor have to fulfill other requirements under other similar business visa categories such as employing a certain number of employees.

What is meant by a sole representative Visa?

The overseas representative visa lasts for a period of three years and can be extended after this. The extension last for a further two years. After the holder has been in the U.K for a total period of five years they can then apply for permission to settle permanently in the United Kingdom.

You can:
  • Work for your employer, full time
  • bring your family (‘dependants’) with you to the UK
  • extend your visa multiple times
  • apply to settle in the UK after you’ve been here for 5 years
  • stay in the UK if your company’s circumstances change and you’ve been here for more than 2 years (eg if they appoint a superior in the UK)
You can't:
  • work for yourself or any other business
  • stay in the UK if the sole representative arrangement is ended by your employer
  • switch to this visa from any other visa category
  • get public funds