The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the UK government’s official immigration policy advisor, recommends changes to the Investor Visa route. It suggests allowing wealthy individuals to speed up their path to settlement by bidding for a “premium” visa.
Under the proposal, applicants would bid for visas. The Home Office would grant settlement in two to five years, depending on the investment amount. However, many previous investments have focused on government gilts or loans to the applicant’s own business, which provide limited benefit to the UK economy.
The MAC also proposes limiting the auction to 100 premium UK visas per year. Applicants must meet a minimum investment of £2 million. Ideally, investors would contribute £2 million to their business and donate £500,000 to the UK government. This approach ensures a significant benefit to the country while accelerating settlement.
Between July 2008 and September 2013, the top five nationalities receiving Tier 1 (Investor) visas were Russia (433), China (419), the United States (96), Egypt (46), and India (44). These figures show the countries with the highest investor interest in the UK.
Former Prime Minister David Cameron encouraged investment during a visit to China in December: “If you are investing in Britain, invest more. If you are thinking of investing in Britain, come and find us. You will get a warm welcome.”
If you are planning to apply for a UK Investor Visa, please contact one of our UK visa experts today. We can discuss your requirements and guide you on the best approach to secure a premium visa.
