Constantly ranking as one of most influential economic and geopolitical countries in the world, the United Kingdom provides a wealth of investor opportunities for those seeking residency. In fact, the British Government was one of the first to enact immigration frameworks for investment-based visas. While regulations for immigration pathways for investors to the United Kingdom are not static, there are several core investor-based visa-categories that are worth digging into to.
The Innovator Visa for the United Kingdom is one of the most common immigration pathways for entrepreneurs and investors. There are several notable benefits to obtaining this visa, including:
In order to qualify as an innovative business, it is necessary that your business proposal be unique. Providing core supporting documentation that your business venture is different from anything else on the market is critical to success. This involves creating strong 5-year business plans tailored to meet the innovative business requirements, comprehensive market surveys, and other key documentation.
In addition, this business venture needs to be approved and endorsed by a UK-based “endorsing body” — these entities are typically venture capital funds, angel investor groups and bossiness incubators.
It is also important to note that through the innovator visa you cannot join a business that is already in operation
The main applicant cannot work for any other business or be employed by another company in the United Kingdom. By law, the main applicant is limited to being “employed” by their own UK business. You cannot be considered an employee or hired by another company on the innovator visa. This said, you may want to consult a qualified UK Solicitor (i.e. lawyer) that has experience in this area, as carefully structured high-level contracts between client businesses and other companies to perform work may still meet the eligibility requirements.
In order to qualify for the UK Innovator Visa, your business venture must be approved by a qualified endorsing body. There are currently over 50+ endorsing bodies within the UK, and these range from angel investor groups to business incubators. In fact, finding the right endorsing body is equivalent to finding an invaluable business partner.
Each endorsing body has their own unique application process and submission requirements. Those seriously considering the UK innovator visa are encouraged to speak with our UK-based advisors and learn more about the strategies for approaching and applying to these endorsing bodies.
The Start-Up Visa for the United Kingdom is a proven entry-level immigration pathway for the United Kingdom. There are definitely similarities with the innovator visa, but some major differences as well. UK Start-Up Visa Benefits:
One common immigration strategy is to start with the U.K. startup visa and transition into the innovator visa. There are various benefits for both short and long-term planning, and a qualified U.K. immigration solicitor should be able to effectively map out your roadmap.
Generally, in order to qualify for the Innovator Visa you need to meet some basic requirements, including: (a) proof that your company is operational and maintains business activity; (b) that the main-applicant is involved with the business on a daily basis as a manager or director of the company; and (c) that the endorsing UK entity has approved this immigration objective.
Overall, the threshold for getting endorsements for the Start-Up visa is easier, however, the submission process is still critical and oftentimes complex to navigate.
While having a clear vision for your investment is valuable, it is required by British immigration regulations that your business idea be considered “novel” — in other words, this must be a new idea that does not already exist in the UK. Similar to the Innovator Visa, you must provide core supporting documentation to convince the UK immigration authorities that your business idea is both original and has viable potential for growth.
Overall, this type of application must contain key documentary evidence that supports the originality of your business idea. Core documents may include: Five-Year Business Plan with financial projections, comprehensive market analysis, letters of recommendations, proof of funding and operational viability and much more.
For business owners, entrepreneurs and investors there are several U.K. visa categories that may apply. In addition to the Innovator and Startup Visas outlined above you, may want to explore the following:
The U.K. Investor Visa is the UK Residency by Investment program. Overall, the Tier One category requires a £2 million investment into a qualifying investment vehicle within the United Kingdom. Some common examples include a UK Business or UK Financial Instruments such as stocks & bonds
Eligibility Requirements
Benefits
You are eligible for the UK investor Visa IF: (1) you seek to invest £2,000,000 or more in the UK; (2) You are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland; and (3) You meet other eligibility requirements described in the FAQ section.
It is required that you clearly demonstrate that the funds belong to you or dependents in the application. Generally an applicant must be able to demonstrate: (1) total net-worth and how much money you have; (2) where your funds came from (if you’ve held the money for less than 2-years); and (3) that the funds can be transferred to the UK.
In addition, upon placing the funds into a UK account it is required for the Financial Institution to carry out "due-diligence” and anti-money laundering checks.
This visa category provides an immigration pathway for those seeking to establish a business in the United Kingdom. The UK business must maintain a corporate connection with the foreign business enterprise (i.e. branch, subsidiary) and the applicant must be considered the “overseas representative” of the UK office.
Eligibility for the Overseas Representative Visa
Benefits of the Overseas Representative Visa
Some highlights of this visa includes: The ability to work for your business in a full time capacity; visas for dependent spouse and children; extension of your visa for additional 2-years (total of 5); and eligibility for permanent residency in the UK after a period of 5-years.
To be eligible for the Sole Representative visa the applicant must meet a variety of key requirements. For example, an applicant must: (a) be employed in the non-UK entity business; (b) prove essential skills and professional experience required to fill the proposed position in the UK; (c) plan to establish the first and only representative UK-entity for the foreign company; and (d) hold a senior executive or managerial position in the business and maintain discretionary authority to make decisions in the UK for the business.
In order to qualify for this visa, your foreign entity (i.e. non-UK company) must have a “corporate relationship” with the UK company. Common corporate relationships are parent/subsidiary, branch or affiliate entities.
Remember, forming a U.K. based entity is absolutely necessary. As described above, your U.K. entity must maintain a corporate relationship with your non-UK entity (i.e. subsidiary, branch, affiliate).
Overall, there are many documents that are generally needed for the Representative of an Overseas Business Visa — specifically with regards to proving a corporate relationship between the two entities, some supporting documents may include: corporate certificates, shareholder documentation, board meeting minutes and high-level contracts between the two entities.
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The UK Investor visa program is designed to permit applicants to live and work in the UK. It is not a direct pathway to citizenship, however, depending on the amount that you invest, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence (i.e. indefinite leave to remain) as follows:
Before applying for the investor visa the investment capital must be held in a regulated financial institution. This means that your funds may even be held in your overseas accounts before you apply. Having multiple accounts as the source of your investment is also fine, as long as they are considered "regulated financial institutions".
Common and acceptable sources of capital-investment include, but is not limited to: Personal earnings and savings, capital gains, sale of real-estate, and gift money. You can also utilize funds from your dependent spouse or partner for purposes of meeting the minimum investment amount. You may also combine the investment capital between dependents. If you are using funds from your spouse or partner, it is required that you provide core documentation, including: (a) a certificate of marriage or civil partnership; (b) a certified statement from your spouse confirming that you will control the funds in the UK; and (c) a certified letter from a qualified legal advisor stating that the declaration is authentic.
It is required that you clearly demonstrate access to disposable funds to be spent in the UK. Having an account with a regulated UK bank meets this requirement.
It is important to understand that you cannot work for another employer while on this visa. The sole representative visa is only for the sponsoring business and it is unlawful to seek other employment on this visa. Furthermore, the moment your contract with the employer/sponsor is terminated you must leave the United Kingdom. If you are already in the U.K. on another visa (i.e. Startup/Innovator) you are not permitted to switch to this visa category from any other UK visa category.
Overall, the initial approval of stay is for a period of 3-years. You can extend your visa for another 2-years. After 5-years you are eligible to apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK.
From the center of London to the shores of Aberdeen -- there is an expanse of opportunities for investors. A solid-banking system, world-class education and free healthcare and just a few reasons why many might choose to move assets into the United Kingdom.
Dig-deeper into relevant topics for investing in the United Kingdom and learn more about the pathways to relocate here. Connect with qualified immigration solicitors, request consultations and ask specific questions about moving to the United Kingdom.
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