Tier 1 Investor visa closed to new applicants “with immediate effect” – announced by Home Office

The Tier 1 Investor visa route has been closed to all new applicants with “immediate effect”, the Home Office announced today, citing “security concerns” and “wider corruption”. This follows multiple media reports yesterday that closure was imminent, although an announcement had not been expected until next week.

The route has long been controversial in terms of dirty money concerns generally and its use by Russian citizens specifically. Around half of all Investor visas ever issued are reportedly under review.

Russian citizens used to account for up to one third of Investor applicants, but that has fallen to 10% or less in recent years.

We would like to note, that those who are already residing in the UK on Tier 1 Investor visa shall be able to extend their visas or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

The Tier 1 Investor visa route is now closed to new applicants only.

NEW: Open letter of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association to Priti Patel, Secretary of State for the Home Department and Kevin Foster, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safe and Legal Migration regarding the closure of the Tier 1 Investor Visa