Citizenship by Investment in UK

While there is no directroute to citizenship by investment in the UK, you should know that you can apply for an Innovator Founder visa, which, at first, will grant you the status of a UK resident. This country also had the Tier 1 Investor Visa Scheme (closed to new applicants on 17 February 2022), which could be accessed by high-net-worth individuals. If you are interested in buying a golden visa, our specialists in immigration by investment can guide you.

Citizenship options in the UK

You have a number of options, besides obtaining UK citizenship, as a business investor. Via business investments in the UK, you can still live, work, and eventually obtain British citizenship there.

The Home Office, the UK government’s lead department for immigration, now requires applicants to play an active role in a corporate enterprise here, which is the primary distinction between the Innovator Founder visa and the closed Tier 1 Investor visa. Under the previous investment program, obtaining a visa and settling down could be accomplished by simply investing money in UK-based businesses.

As a result, adding to or building successful and sustainable enterprises in the UK is more important than simply increasing the amount of investment funds. Some of the alternatives to the golden visa are:

• Innovator Visa;
• Scale-up Visa;
• Global Talent Visa;
• Skilled Worker Visa.

Foreign citizens who want to buy a golden visa can choose the UK as their country of destination even after Brexit. The main reason to choose to relocate to the UK through the golden visa program is that the Innovator Founder visa (the main business route since the Tier 1 Investor visa closed in 2022) is a residence program under which qualified persons can obtain the right to apply for British citizenship quite fast compared to other European countries.

The program under which a foreign citizen can obtain residency in the UK was the Tier 1 Visa for Entrepreneurs, which was replaced by the Innovator Visa in 2019 and, since 13 April 2023, by the Innovator Founder visa.

If you have difficulties in choosing the best program for you, one of our golden visa specialists can advise you. If you are interested in EU citizenship by investment, we can also direct you to other countries such as: Cyprus, Malta, Italy, or Portugal.

Who can obtain citizenship in the UK?

The programs that can lead to indirect citizenship by investment in the UK are designed for EU and non-EU entrepreneurs who need to invest specific amounts of money in various areas of interest as designated by the government.

It must be noted that, before being granted golden passports, successful candidates will first be issued temporary resident visas, which can be converted into permanent residence permits. Our agents can offer more information on the requirements to qualify as a foreign investor if you want to buy a golden visa for the UK.

The Entrepreneur Visa Scheme ended; however, the Innovator Visa Program was created to replace it. This new scheme is available under the following conditions:

• for natural persons who are non-UK residents;
• for those who want to set up a company in the UK;
• the business idea is supported by specific institutions approved by the British Government;
• there is no minimum investment (the GBP 50,000 requirement was abolished in April 2023), but the founder must show where the funding will come from.

It is important for the applicant to be endorsed in order to obtain such a visa. Another important aspect to consider when applying for residency in the UK in 2026 is that the candidates can apply at the earliest 3 months before travelling to the UK.

We also have an infographic on this topic below:

This is why it is advisable to get in touch with specialists who can assist with the preparation of the documents for buying a golden visa in the UK. Our consultants can also help those interested in moving to golden visa countries in other countries, such as the USA or North Macedonia.

Eligibility conditions for the Innovator Visa in the UK in 2026

In order to obtain the Innovator Visa in the UK, a person must meet the English language requirements, which imply being a B2-level English speaker. For this purpose, the applicant must pass a test and obtain a certification that will be filed together with the application.

The candidate must also provide proof of self-sustenance, which implies having at least 1,270 GBP held for 28 consecutive days in a bank account.

Apart from these, the applicant for the Innovator Visa must meet specific endorsement requirements, which, together with the low amount to be invested, represent the main differences between the new and the old program.

The applicant must submit proof of endorsement in the form of a letter from one of the approved institutions. There are several organizations that can vouch for applicants, and our agents can help you find an appropriate one.

With respect to the business to invest in, it must be a new company, and the object of activity must revolve around innovation. For this purpose, the applicant must provide proof that the business idea is new, viable, and has great development potential.

After exiting the EU, the UK has made various changes to its visa application system in order to allow easy access to businesspersons. If you are interested in buying a golden visa, you can rely on our agents. We remind you that we can also help you access other golden visa countries.

The Investor Visa Scheme for high net worth individuals in the UK

Under this scheme, which closed to new applicants on 17 February 2022, foreign citizens from non-EU and non-EEA countries could obtain residency by investment in the UK provided that:

1. They invest at least 2 million GBP in government bonds, local companies or share capital injections;
2. Make similar investments of a higher value – minimum GBP 5 million – and thus obtain permanent residence after 3 years;
3. Make similar investments – minimum GBP 10 million – if they want to settle in the UK in 2 years;
4. Foreign citizens also have the possibility of working and studying in the UK under this program.

We would also like to mention that, under this program, the applicants will also be subject to a few restrictions related to making investments in real estate development companies or applying for public funds with the UK authorities.

The other requirements that apply to the candidates of both residency by investment programs for the UK refer to having clean criminal records (this aspect will be verified by the police in the UK) and to living in the UK for at least 180 days in a calendar year.

Among the advantages of the Investor and Entrepreneur Visa Schemes, we mention that no interview is required when applying for any of them. Also, the application is verified within a maximum of 6 weeks.

The main differences between residency by investment programs in the UK

Those interested in obtaining citizenship by investment in the UK should know that Innovator visa holders are required to work in the company they have invested in. Also, the Innovator Visa is cheaper to obtain.

If you need advice on how to move to citizenship by investment countries as an EU citizen, we can assist you. The eligibility criteria can be explained by our local golden visa specialists.

Eligibility for permanent residency based on the Tier 1 visa in 2026

To be eligible for permanent residence or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a holder of a Tier 1 Investor visa (extensions closed on 17 February 2026 and ILR applications must be made by 17 February 2028):

• You need to have resided in the UK for 2, 3, or 5 years, based on the investor visa; any time spent in the UK on any other kind of visa will not be taken into account for ILR.
• You must have spent no more than 180 days traveling outside of the UK in a single year.
• Within 3 months of your arrival in the UK or the day your visa was granted, you must have invested £2 million, £5 million, or £10 million (depending on when you apply for ILR) in share capital or loan capital in operating UK enterprises.
• It is necessary that you take and pass the Life in the UK Test.

The Global Talent Visa for the UK

One of the available alternatives for securing citizenship in the UK is the Global Talent Visa. This is also an indirect pathway to citizenship, however, it comes with certain benefits.

Those who are leaders or future leaders in any of the following fields can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK:

• academics or researchers;
• specialists in digital technologies, arts, and culture.

This is one of the fastest types of visas to obtain and the time frame is:

• 3 weeks for candidates applying from outside the UK;
• 8 weeks for those who live in the UK.

Additionally, candidates have to be at least 18 years of age at the time of the application. Under this visa, one may spend maximum 5 years living and working in the UK. The total period of time the applicant can spend in the UK is unlimited, but when the visa expires, it needs to be renewed or extended for 1 to 5 years.

Depending on the field the visa holder works in and how he or she applies for it, one might be eligible for indefinite leave to remain, which would allow he/she to live in the UK after 3 or 5 years. The advantage of this visa is that it offers freedom to enter and exit, live, work, and study in the UK, and to apply for certain benefits.

UK citizenship based on this type of visa implies naturalization.

The StartUp Visa as a way to residency by investment in the UK

One of the ways to obtain British residency by investment was the Start-up visa, which closed to new applicants on 13 April 2023 (replaced by the Innovator Founder visa). This program addresses first-time businesspersons, and the visa can be obtained by non-graduates and graduates without any upfront capital. However, this is an intermediary step towards the Innovator Visa or another similar program, as it comes with a 2-year residence permit.

The main requirement to fulfil to enter this program is securing endorsement from:

• a university, in the case of graduate applicants;
• a sponsor (a company) in the case of non-graduate candidates.

Following that, the foreign investor must draft a business plan explaining the idea, the implementation strategy, and financial projections. Only after approval, the visa application is accepted by the UK Home Office.

Our local specialists can offer more information on this program. Alternatively, we can also offer details on golden visa programs that are simpler to obtain, including in European countries.

How to obtain residency by investment which leads to UK citizenship

Entrepreneurs interested in European golden visa countries can choose the UK, however, in order to obtain citizenship, they must first secure permanent residence. One of the simplest ways is through the innovator visa. For this purpose, one must make sure his or her application satisfies the following standards in order to start the process of permanent residency or indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom:

• ensure a strong business strategy;
• to qualify for ILR, the founder can apply after 3 years if the endorsing body confirms the business has met the required criteria;
• remaining eligible for a visa renewal beyond the initial 3 years requires a continuing endorsement (the former GBP 50,000 minimum investment was abolished in April 2023);
• the owner must actively participate in the business and assume responsibility for the enterprise;
• the business must meet the settlement achievement criteria set by the Immigration Rules (such as job creation for settled workers or revenue targets).

The initial Innovator Founder visa is valid for 3 years, and it can be extended indefinitely, for an additional 3 years period each time.  The holder’s dependents may also apply for an extension for the same duration.

Our golden visa agents in the UK can explain the new conditions for obtaining ILR that will ultimately lead to British citizenship.

Access to UK citizenship based on residency by investment

The ILR applicant needs to be a permanent resident for a full year before applying for British citizenship. For this purpose, the person cannot have spent more than 450 days outside of the UK in the 5 years prior to naturalization application, nor more than 90 days in the previous year. Adult applicants
must complete the Life in the UK exam and show that they are proficient in English. Every applicant must possess a clean administrative record and a criminal record certificate. Prior to
the Home Office receiving the application, one must have been in the UK for at least 5 years and be at least 18 years old.  In accordance with the naturalization guidelines, the applicant must show excellent character and plan to stay in the UK.

At the moment, most European states that were once direct citizenship by investment countries are replacing their golden visa schemes. The UK is among those offering multiple investment visas for those seeking to relocate under such programs.

Why move to the UK?

There are many reasons to move to the UK despite the country’s leaving the European Union. Among these, the stable economy and its treaties with other states all over the world offer numerous investment opportunities.

Apart from these, the UK offers a great quality of life and living standards for those who relocate here. Apart from these, under the Innovator Founder visa, applicants can also bring family members. Moreover, depending on the amount the investor is willing to invest, access to indirect British citizenship by investment through permanent residence is possible.

From this point of view, the UK is the only country to take a progressive approach to permanent residence by investment, which ultimately leads to citizenship in 2026.

Discussions about a new Investor Visa

The discontinuation of the former UK residency by investment scheme made the authorities realize the economic importance of foreign capital. The Government started considering the introduction of a new and improved program. The new visa would imply:

• investments in specific sectors only, with a focus on innovation, such as renewable energy and research and development;
• the requirement for the applicants to live in the UK for a minimum period of time and engagement with local businesses;
• stricter due diligence checks on the source of funds for the investment, background of the applicant, and investment intentions through independent authorities.

Also, investments in assets that have a low impact on the economy, such as real estate and financial instruments, would be excluded.

For updated information on the potential revamping of the UK residency by investment scheme, we invite you to discuss with our golden visa consultants.

Foreign citizens can rely on us for assistance in moving to other citizenship by investment countries, like the USA and Malta, and other states that have such programs.

Reduced timeframe for permanent residency proposed

A new legislative proposal sets forth that for visa holders with UK taxable income of at least GBP 125,000, the 3-year Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) route is quicker than the current 5-year standard and significantly shorter than the 10-year permanent relocation option for the majority of other routes. The proposing parties (the UK Government and Home Secretary) are also suggesting a scale of shorter qualifying periods for individuals making less than GBP 125,000 (between GBP 50,000 and GBP 100,000), which would result in a quicker settlement than the 10-year baseline for certain incomes, though not as short as 3 years. Eligibility
requirements imply either having a qualifying status under the Global Talent or the Innovator Founder routes with additional checks, or a UK taxable income of GBP 125,000 or more for 3 consecutive years.

Clean criminal records, three years of National Insurance contributions, no state debt, and English proficiency, with possible reductions for better competence, are the main requirements for ILR.

If you want to obtain indirect citizenship by investment in the UK and need guidance, do not hesitate to contact us. We can also assist in buying golden visas in other countries around the world.