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
Posted on 17.02.2022.
We provide services
Other useful articles
- Closure of care worker route to new entrants from 22 July 2025
- New temporary shortage list
- Skills and salary thresholds to rise from 22 July 2025
- Closure of Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy from 3pm today
- Private Life effective from 29 July 2025
- Continuous Residence effective from 29 July 2025
Get specialist advice
Please contact with one of our immigration lawyers by phone +44 (0) 207 907 1460 (London), +971 509 265 140, +971 525 977 456 (Dubai) or complete our enquiry
Contact us