Investors
Points assessment for initial applications
This page explains how many points you must score in the points-based assessment to make an initial application under the investor category (Tier 1 Investor) of the points-based system to come to the United Kingdom.
On this page
Full details of all requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraphs 245 O-U of part 6a and Appendix A, which you can find on the right of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.
How many points you must score to apply
Points are awarded for the following categories, which are known as attributes:
- you have £1,000,000 of money that is disposable and in a regulated financial institution; or
- you have £2,000,000 in personal assets and have £1,000,000 that is in a loan from an authorised financial institution.
You will need a total of at least 75 points to be able to apply.
The points available are:
| Attributes | Points available |
|---|---|
| You have money of your own held in a regulated financial institution and disposable in the United Kingdom amounting to no less than £1,000,000; or | 75 |
|
You own personal assets which, taking into account any liabilities to which you are subject, have a value exceeding £2,000,000; and you have money under your control held in a regulated financial institution and disposable in the United Kingdom amounting to no less than £1,000,000, which has been loaned to you by a financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority. |
75 |
The table applies if you want:
- permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') in this category; and
- permission to stay (known as 'further leave to remain') in the United Kingdom in this category when your previous permission to stay was given under a category other than the tier 1 investor category or the former investor category.
Exemption from English language and maintenance requirements
You will not need to meet the separate English language requirement that applies to most other applicants under the points-based system. This is because, while you are allowed to work in the United Kingdom if you wish to, you should not need to work.
You will not need to meet the separate requirement for maintenance (funds) that applies to most other applicants under the points-based system. This is because you will have met the main requirements (attributes) for this category and shown your ability to support yourself in the United Kingdom without needing help from public money.
£1,000,000 in money that is disposable and in a regulated financial institution
You must show that you are able to make an investment of £1,000,000 or more in the United Kingdom. This money may be held overseas at the time of your application, or it may already be in the United Kingdom.
If the money is not held in pounds sterling, you must convert it into pounds sterling to show that you have the minimum investment required. We will check this rate using the spot exchange rate on the OANDA website, which you can find on the right of this page, on the date on which you apply.
You may rely on money that you own jointly with your husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner (known as partner). You may also rely on money that is owned solely by your partner. You must have unrestricted right to transfer and dispose of the money held jointly and solely by your partner and have permission from your partner to have control of this money in the United Kingdom.
The money must:
- be held in a regulated financial institution;
- be disposable in the United Kingdom; and
- amount to £1,000,000 or more.
£2,000,000 in personal assets and £1,000,000 that is in a loan from an authorised financial institution
An authorised financial institution is one that is regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
If you intend to borrow money from an authorised financial institution, and are pledging the investment as security, the level of personal net worth is £2,000,000.
You may borrow all of your £1,000,000 investment money.
Assets held by your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried or same-sex partner (known as partner), either jointly or in your partner's own name, can be taken into account when assessing your net worth.
You may not mix personal money and borrowed money in order to meet the total £1,000,000 investment required to score 75 points.
Terms explained
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Financial institution
A body that provides financial services to clients, for example a bank, building society, credit union, stock brokerage or asset management firm.
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Spot exchange rate
The price that a buyer expects to pay for one foreign currency when buying it in another currency for delivery immediately. The closing spot exchange rate is the rate that is current at the time the market stops trading for the day.