Investor

INTRODUCTION
Tier 1 (Investor) category came into effect on 28 June 2008 and is designed to allow high net worth individuals who plan to make a substantial financial investment in the UK to apply to come and live in the UK.  Applicants will be awarded points on their ability to invest £1,000,000 in the UK. 


ELIGIBILITY
To successfully apply under the Points Based System for the Tier 1 (Investor) category, applicants must pass a points-based assessment and score at least 75 points.  In order to meet the necessary points applicants must be able to meet the following criteria:

•    Applicants have at least £1,000,000 of their own money held in a regulated  financial institution and disposable in the United Kingdom; OR
•    Own personal assets which exceed £2,000,000 in value, provided they are not subject to any liabilities; AND have money under their control held in a regulated financial institution and disposable in the UK of at least £1,000,000, which may include money loaned to them by a financial institution which is regulated by the Financial Services Authority


MAINTENANCE
Applicants applying under Tier 1 (Investor) will not need to meet the requirement for maintenance (funds) that applies to other applicants under the Points Based System as they will have met the main requirements (attributes) for this category and shown that they are able to support themselves and any family members in the UK without recourse from public funds.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Applicants applying under Tier 1 (Investor) will also not need to meet the English language requirement that applies to other applicants under the Points Based System because, although applicants are allowed to work in the UK if they wish, they should not need to.


TIER 1(INVESTOR) EXTENSION
In order to successfully obtain an extension in this category, applicants must show that they:
•    have £1,000,000 in the United Kingdom;
•    invested £750,000;
•    investment within three months of entering the tier 1 investor or previous investor category.