United Kingdom

About United Kingdom Citizenship and Residency

The United Kingdom offers residency by investment, the UK Tier 1 investor Visa is the most popular investment migration program in the  United Kingdom. It enables high-net-worth non-EU investors who make a substantial financial investment in the United Kingdom (UK), to live in the  UK. The minimum investment for a  UK tier 1 visa is 2,000,000 POUND based on the PBS-points-based system. However, the investment visa for the UK is not a direct citizenship-by-investment program, like in many other countries. This means that you have to live in the UK before you can apply to become a citizen.

To qualify for a UK Investment Visa, you must invest at least 2 million Pound in one of the following options:

• An active and trading UK-registered company. This means that the company must be registered in the UK (or at least have a registered office in the UK), actively trading- not dormant or non-trading, and have a UK bank account that shows recent transactions and payment of taxes.
• UK Corporate bonds, by way of share capital or loan capital.
• Investment in Governments Bonds, but it is no longer a variable option since March 29, 2019.

The amount of investment is decisive on when you receive permanent residence (Indefinite Leave to Remain):

• If you invest 2 million Pound, you can get ILR after five years.
• If you invest 5 million Pound, you can get ILR after three years.
• If you invest 10 million Pound, you can get ILR after two years.

To qualify for the program, applicants must fulfill one of the investment options in addition to meeting the following criteria:

• Maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependents without taking employment (outside of self-employment or business).
• Make the UK your main home. Investors will need to spend at least 50 percent of their time in the UK (six out of twelve months) to maintain visa status.

Individuals who have lived in the UK for five or more years are eligible to apply for UK citizenship as long as they meet the following residency requirements:

• Be absent from the country for no more than 90 days in the 12 months preceding the application. The total number of days spent outside the UK for the entire five-year qualifying period should not exceed 450 days.
• Be of good moral character and not in breach of any immigration laws.
• Demonstrate a good knowledge of UK life and culture, as well as a basic level of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic languages.

Benefits Of United Kingdom Residency By Investment Program

• No personal interview.
• No English language requirement to obtain a visa.
• No prior business experience is needed.
• No medical examination.
• Government interview is often waived.
• Processing time is fast, often 1 to 3 weeks.
• International business environment.
• 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.

United Kingdom Residency Requirements And Qualifications

Requirements

• Have opened a UK bank account or investment account
• Have an investment fund that must be held in a recognized financial institution for at least 2 years prior t application
• Provide evidence that the funds were acquired legally and belong to the applicant or spouse
• Must make the UK their main home and must spend at least 50% of their time in the UK
• Must be at least 18 years old
• The applicant must provide a Criminal Record Certificate confirming they have no criminal convictions
• Provide a tuberculosis test result (depending on the residence)
• The applicant can invest a higher sum to apply for indefinite leave to Remain more quickly

Steps And Timeline

Step 1: Open an investment account in the UK – The time needed to open an account varies from 1 week to 3 months depending on the financial institution you deal with. This includes all the due diligence they must do. Once an account is opened, you will get a letter confirming the availability of funds and passing of background checks.

Step 2: Get an investor visa – With all the required documents in hand you can submit a visa application. Processing time is around 1 month. If successful, you will get a Tier 1 Investor visa for 3 years and four months. You are given 30 days to enter the country on your visa and collect your BRP card.

Step 3: Invest – You are given three months to make the required investment in the local economy, if not already made. You must buy shares of one of the several UK-registered companies. Investment in real estate or government bonds is not available anymore.

Step 4: Extend your investor visa – You will only need to do it if you have invested from 2 million Pound up to 5 million Pound. The first visa is valid for 3 years and four months after which you must apply for an extension. It should take roughly 1-2 weeks to prepare the paperwork and 8 weeks to process the application by the Home Office. You can speed it up to 5 days if you don’t want to wait.

Step 5: Settle – How much you have invested will affect when you can apply for settlement in the UK- in 2,3, or 5 years. Besides, you must spend at least 180 days in the country in any 12 months before applying. On top of that, you must pass an English test and a Life in the UK test to confirm your knowledge of the language, history, customs, and traditions of the country. This stage will take from 2 o 6 months.

Step 6: Naturalize and apply for British – You can apply for naturalization one year after settlement, but not earlier than 5 years of living in the UK. Once your application is approved, you will be invited to attend a citizenship ceremony where you will give an oath of allegiance to the reigning monarch. Only then will you be given a certificate of naturalization which enables you to apply for a British passport.

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to Find the best solution for your needs.

• Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
• Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass the guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
• Focus on cutting through the red tape and expediting your process.
• Provide proper communication with you about your case.
  …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in the United Kingdom, assisting in getting you settled in the country, and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

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