What is the best timing for a Tier 1 (Investor) Visa

1. Under the Visa Rules

Under the Tier One Investor Visa Rules, there are three periods that you can select from in relation to this, the first one is 12 months before the date of the application. Remember, under the rules you must invest not less than two million sterling in the UK. You’ve got to invest in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital. You’ve got to invest in active and trading companies and those companies must be UK registered.

2. Make an Application

The second period that you can select is three months from the grant of your application. This is the period that I select when I’m planning with my clients because there’s no doubt about when that period begins, it’s the date of the grant.

3. Third Period

The third period is the three months from your entry into the UK. Now, what sometimes happens is that several years later when someone comes to apply for an extension or for indefinitely to remain, the date of entry to the UK may be uncertain and there may be not sufficient proof of it, even if it is certain. It’s always best, although that three months, as you can see on the diagram, is later.

That way, you will have confirmation that your investment is a qualifying one and is approved by UKVI before you actually invest.

4. 2nd Period Invest

Now, the second period within which you can invest is within three months of the date of the grant of entry clearance or leave to remain as a tier one investor migrant. So, that’s three months within the grant, so the date of decision. Now, that is the period that I always go for and plan for with my clients. And the date of decision, the date of grant is always known to you. It’s a letter and you’ll see the date on the letter. There’s no doubt about it. Whereas the next period, which I’ll come to in a second, is the three months from the date of entry to the UK.

Now, five years down the line, if you’re applying onto the two million route, it can be difficult to prove or to determine when the entry to the UK was. And so it’s generally not a safe date to go by. There’s not necessarily evidence available to demonstrate it and prove it beyond any doubt.

5. 3rd Period

So, the third period, as I say, you can invest within, is three months from your date of entry into the UK, is not one that I plan around because I say, the best approach is to plan for three months from the date of the grant of your application to ensure that you invest within this period.