Investor Visa (Tier 1) ILR and Settlement UK

Main applicant extension applications had to be made before 17 February 2026. After that date, the main remaining route-specific application is settlement before the final deadline, if the requirements are met.

A Tier 1 Investor settlement application must be made before 17 February 2028. Investors should review eligibility well before that date because portfolio, residence, absence and family evidence can take time to organise.

The main applicant may qualify after 2, 3 or 5 years depending on the first grant date and the amount of qualifying investment. The investment level, date of first successful application and investment evidence all matter.

Time on another visa does not usually count towards settlement as a Tier 1 Investor. The relevant residence period normally needs to be completed in the investor route.

For applicants first granted on or after 6 November 2014, the general qualifying periods are 2 years for £10 million, 3 years for £5 million and 5 years for £2 million. Older grants can have different investment and asset rules.

UK government bonds held on or after 6 April 2025 cannot count towards the qualifying investment for an ILR application made on or after that date, including legacy cases first granted before 29 March 2019. Investors first granted under the rules from 29 March 2019 cannot rely on government bonds. Review replacement investments, dates, continuity and portfolio evidence against Appendix A before applying.

The case usually turns on identity, current or recent investor status, investment portfolio reports, evidence that the qualifying investment was made and maintained, absence history, English language, Life in the UK and dependant documents.

The applicant must not normally have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period during the relevant qualifying residence period.

Applicants aged 18 to 64 usually need to pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language requirement when applying for Tier 1 Investor settlement.

A partner may qualify if they have permission as a dependant partner, have lived in the UK with the main applicant for at least 5 continuous years, meet relationship and support requirements, and satisfy English language and Life in the UK requirements where applicable.

A child may be included if they meet the child dependant settlement rules. Their age, dependency, living arrangements, family position and whether both parents are settled or applying can be important.

A dependant may need separate advice on whether further limited permission is available and whether they can complete their own qualifying period later. This should be checked before the main applicant submits an ILR application.

We can review investment history, portfolio reports, qualifying period, absences, English language, Life in the UK, dependants, deadline risk and refusal risks before the application is prepared.