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You might not realize that you can obtain UK citizenship if you wish to invest in the UK in a meaningful way.
For example, if you have an idea for an innovative business and can pay the required fees you can get British citizenship. However, be sure to read the fine print, as there are certain rules and regulations that determine whether you or not are eligible to apply for UK citizenship.
The good news is, however, that you can become a citizen in the UK by investing in a business that’s already running and making a good profit. You will still need to invest a certain amount to start the process of obtaining British citizenship through investment.
Obtain UK Citizenship with an Innovators Visa
The United Kingdom divided investment for this purpose into two types in 1994. These were the Tier 1 Investor Visa and the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa. But after 2008 the UK government brought these two types of investment visas into the same application.
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Therefore, the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa is no longer applicable. Instead, the government introduced a new visa named the Innovators visa. People who want to invest in the UK and start a business of their own can invest through the Innovators visa in order to obtain citizenship.
Tier 1 Investors can apply for permanent residency in the UK after investing £2,000,000 in any British company. This process is completely unrelated to the number of dependents you intend to bring with you. The initial visa is valid for three years and four months and can be extended for another two years.
To apply for an Innovator visa, you must invest a minimum of £50,000. The initial visa is valid for three years and four months and can be extended indefinitely. Innovators must be the CEO of the company they are launching and take full responsibility for that company.
It is easy to acquire an indefinite leave to remain (ILR) if you spend a couple of years in the UK on a Tier 1 Investor visa. This will help you with your process of obtaining a UK citizenship. You will be eligible to apply for citizenship just after a year of getting your Investor visa.
Obtain UK Citizenship Through Investing
Investors get the chance to obtain UK citizenship through investment plus doing business. The process for investors to obtain UK citizenship is relatively easy compared to people who are not in a position to invest. If you fulfill all the conditions mentioned above you will be eligible for the citizenship process.
Investors can get permanent residency in two or three years, but families can only proceed with the citizenship process if they have lived in the UK for at least five years. Standard procedures can take up to six years to complete.
However, an investor can only become a UK citizen if he or she has lived in the country for five years with an additional one year as a permanent resident.
Applicants must spend no more than 450 days outside the UK in the five years preceding their citizenship application. Applicants aged 18 and up must demonstrate their command of the English language. Most importantly, they must also pass the Life in the UK Test.
After five years, an investor is eligible to begin the legal process of becoming a British citizen.
What Are the Visa Requirements?
Applicants wishing to apply for UK citizenship by way of the the business and investors visas need to follow the rules and guidelines, of course. Some of these are:
- Only people older than 18 can apply for UK citizenship in this way.
- Some investors need to provide reports of tuberculosis tests.
- People with criminal records have a high chance of their visas being rejected.
- Investors must be comfortable in and with the English language.
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Investing in the UK Will Lead You to a Better Life
Since the UK represents an enormous market, spending in the UK will not be a loss. For example, you might want to invest in the UK to:
- Obtain a British passport and UK citizenship.
- Settle in for a good quality of life.
- Find more opportunities for growth and development.
- Make a profit from your business.
- Enjoy good health care, education, and other high quality amenities.
- Have passports for you and your family that are good for five to six years.
Investing in the UK is not all that complicated. You should invest in the UK to get all the benefits of being a UK citizen and grow as an individual. Plus, doing so will give you opportunities for a high quality of life. So invest in the UK and start your process of becoming a British citizen as soon as possible.
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