EU – Baltic States, Investments, Latvia, Legal Counsel, Legislation, Markets and Companies

The Tier One (Investor) visa is the simplest and most direct way of gaining entry to the United Kingdom. If, however, you would like to set up or take over an existing business in the UK, the Tier One (Entrepreneur) route is suitable.

This route requires a lower investment but you would have to act as director of an operating and trading UK company.

Tier 1 (Investor)

In order to obtain this visa, it is required to show that you have at least £1 million of your funds held in a bank. The money may be held in your own name or your partner’s. It does not need to be in the UK at the time when you apply for the visa or you need to show that you have personal assets worth more than £2 million and a UK regulated bank has loaned to you at least £1 million. The money must be invested in UK investments.

The level of investment in the United Kingdom depends on how quickly you would like to obtain permanent residence/indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Permanent residence means there will be no time restrictions on your visa. If the applicant invests:

- £1 million, he/she and his/her spouse and minor children may apply for settlement after 5 years.
- £5 million, he and his spouse and minor children may apply for settlement after 3 years.
- £10 million, he and his spouse and minor children may apply for settlement after 2 years.

75% of the total funds must be invested in UK companies or UK government bonds and the remaining 25% of the funds in assets such as unmortgaged property, art collections or cash on deposit.

It is possible to apply for British citizenship after a total period of 6 years of residence.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

In order to obtain this visa it is necessary to show that you either have £200,000, which can be transferred to the UK or have access to £50,000 from a UK venture capital firm. This money must be invested in business in the UK (such as buying a small boutique hotel). Purchasing any residential accommodation, property development or property management business will not be counted towards the investment.

This visa can be obtained with another person (business partner) using the same funds. The funds must be available to both.

This visa also leads to settlement and it is possible to apply for British citizenship in 5 or 6 years of residence in the UK.

Our law office closely cooperates with experienced UK lawyers, which are experts in the area of immigration law and may provide assistance upon necessity. We may provide you full legal assistance throughout the whole process of immigration.
 
Law office INLAT PLUS
Brivibas 40-15, Riga
Tel. (+371) 67 505 970
Mob. (+371) 26 403 577
Fax (+371) 67 505 978
[email protected]