Looking to invest money in the UK but worried about the paperwork?
Investing money can be tricky at times, particularly if you are not a national of the country you wish to invest in.
If you are wanting to invest a minimum of 2 million pounds into an active UK business, you will need to apply for what is called an investor visa.
How does it differ from a regular visa?
When looking to move to another country for work or study, all individuals must apply for a visa. Traditionally, work based visas last up to 5 years and study based visas last as long as the duration of the course you are attending. Both have the option for extension.
However, if you wish to stay in the country you have moved to for a longer period, then you can apply for a residency card, which allows you to stay for longer.
An investor visa differs, as restrictions on it are a bit more rigid.
You need to have at least 2 million pounds to invest in an already active UK business. You must already have a UK regulated bank account and you must be able to spend the aforementioned money without restraint, in other words, it must be free to spend.
Unlike a residency card, an investor’s visa does not allow for permanent residency within the UK. This visa only lasts for a maximum of 3 years with a maximum extension of 2 years (if all required conditions are met) and they cannot be used to become a permanent citizen.
Choosing a solicitor
Of course, this is a very simplified version of the rules surrounding investor visas and if you are looking to apply for one, the best option would be to contact a solicitor specialised in these types of visas.
Luckily, within the UK, there are many solicitors to choose from, but it would be wise to invest in a solicitor’s firm that boasts regular communication with the Home Office and who are up-to-date with the ever-changing rules and regulations.
An immigration solicitor can help you not only with the long winded paperwork, but can also advise you on which documentation you need to provide. If you fail to produce the correct paperwork, your application may be rejected and you will lose your investment opportunity.
It is worth noting that if your application for an investor visa fails, you will have to go through an appeal process before you can apply for another one, which then restarts the process from scratch. This is why you must make sure that your solicitor knows how to handle this specific type of visa and can provide you with the best advice on how to proceed.
The UK government also has restrictions on how you spend your invested money. A specialist immigration solicitor can not only advise you about these restrictions but can help you stay within the confines of the law with ease.
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