Investor Visa (Tier 1) ILR and Settlement UK

The Tier 1 Investor route was designed for high-net-worth individuals who made a substantial qualifying investment in the UK. It is no longer open for new main applicants and it should not be presented as a current investment visa route.

For people who already hold, or recently held, Tier 1 Investor permission, the route still matters because settlement may remain possible if the strict timing, investment, residence and evidence requirements are met. The final route-specific settlement deadline means this page should focus on ILR readiness rather than new visa applications.

The strongest cases are usually built around clear evidence of the first grant date, qualifying investment level, portfolio maintenance, regulated financial institution confirmation, residence history, absence compliance and family-member eligibility. Access Global Immigration Visa Experts can review the case structure before the application is prepared.

A main applicant may qualify for settlement if they have completed the required residence period in the investor route, maintained the required qualifying investment, met the English language and Life in the UK requirements where applicable, complied with absence limits, and does not fall for suitability or refusal reasons.

The residence period can be 2, 3 or 5 years depending on the date of the first successful Investor visa application and the amount of qualifying investment. For investors first granted on or after 6 November 2014, the general accelerated settlement levels are based on £10 million after 2 years, £5 million after 3 years and £2 million after 5 years.

Older cases can involve different rules, including historic asset and loan arrangements. Because the route has changed several times, the first grant date and investment history should be checked before giving settlement advice.

Investor settlement cases are evidence-heavy. The application usually needs portfolio reports from a UK-regulated financial institution showing the qualifying investments, when they were made, the companies invested in, the value maintained and whether the investment met the relevant route rules throughout the required period.

For many cases, the key risk is not the headline investment amount alone. The decision can turn on the timing of investment, reinvestment after sale, whether the investment vehicle is permitted, whether the investment was held in the applicant’s name or permitted joint name, and whether the financial institution can verify the portfolio evidence.

Where there is a shortfall, late investment, complex portfolio movement, historic UK government bond reliance, investment through unsuitable structures, or source-of-funds concern, the case should be reviewed carefully before settlement is prepared.

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

Children have separate settlement rules. Their age, dependency, residence, living arrangements and the status of both parents can affect whether they should be included in the main settlement application or handled separately.

Dependants are often the most overlooked part of investor settlement planning. A partner or child may not be settlement-ready at the same time as the main applicant, so the family strategy should be reviewed before the main application is submitted.

Main applicant extension applications had to be made before 17 February 2026. As the deadline has now passed, the page should not suggest that a fresh main applicant extension is still generally available.

If an investor is not ready for ILR, the position may be difficult and time-sensitive. The correct approach depends on current immigration status, whether any application was submitted before the deadline, whether section 3C leave applies, whether dependants need separate planning, and whether another UK immigration route may be realistic.

Anyone in this position should obtain advice quickly because the final settlement deadline does not automatically protect someone whose current permission has expired or who is not eligible to apply for settlement.

Yes, but only for eligible existing or recent Investor visa holders who meet the settlement requirements before the final deadline. The main applicant may qualify after 2, 3 or 5 years depending on the applicable rules and investment level.

The applicant must also satisfy continuous residence, absence, English language, Life in the UK, investment and suitability requirements. Time spent in the UK as a dependant does not count towards settlement as the main investor, and time on other visa categories does not usually count towards Tier 1 Investor settlement.

Settlement planning should focus on evidence, not just dates. Portfolio reports, investment timing, absence records and dependant documents should be reviewed together so the final application is consistent and credible.