Will a new investor visa be introduced under UK immigration rules?

The UK remains an attractive destination for global investors, offering a stable legal system, robust financial sector and cultural vibrancy. Yet, despite its appeal, there’s currently no direct immigration route for individuals who want to live in the UK purely based on investment.

The closure of the Tier 1 (Investor) visa in February 2022 left a significant gap in the UK’s immigration framework, particularly for high net worth individuals of independent means who don’t qualify under work-based or talent-based routes but still want to contribute economically and reside in the UK.

This article explores whether a new investor visa might be introduced, summarising the history and rationale behind the closure of the previous scheme, the calls for its reinstatement and the broader policy context shaping the future of investment-based migration to the UK.

What was the Tier 1 (Investor) visa?

Introduced in 2008, the Tier 1 (Investor) visa allowed individuals to enter and remain in the UK by investing a minimum of £2m in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies. It offered a pathway to settlement, with accelerated routes for those investing £5m or £10m.

Crucially, it didn’t require applicants to work or demonstrate English language proficiency, making it particularly attractive to wealthy individuals seeking residency without employment obligations.

Why was the Tier 1 (Investor) visa removed?

The Home Office permanently closed the Tier 1 (Investor) visa route on 17 February 2022, citing national security concerns and the risk of financial crime. A review of visas granted revealed that some applicants had acquired their wealth through illegitimate means and were linked to corruption and illicit finance. The route was seen as vulnerable to abuse, with insufficient checks on the provenance of funds and limited economic benefit to the UK.

Home Secretary at the time, Priti Patel, stated the closure was part of a broader crackdown on fraud and illicit finance, aligning with the government’s “New Plan for Immigration.” The decision reflected a shift towards more targeted immigration routes emphasising genuine economic contribution, such as job creation and innovation, rather than passive investment – frequently cited as a focus on attracting the “best and brightest”.

Calls for reinstatement or a new investor visa

Since the closure of the Tier 1 route, many legal experts, economists and immigration practitioners have called for a new investor visa tailored to modern economic priorities. The absence of an investor visa arguably undermines the UK’s ability to attract global wealth and talent.

There have been reports that the government is considering a new visa category for high net worth individuals willing to invest in strategically important sectors such as artificial intelligence, clean energy and life sciences. However, no such policy has been made public and there are no clear plans to do so – even following the government’s immigration white paper in May 2025, which was notably silent on the introduction of a new investor visa.

The paper, titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System”, outlined sweeping reforms aimed at reducing net migration and tightening visa eligibility across work, study and family routes. While it proposed modest expansions to the Global Talent visa and Innovator Founder routes, it didn’t include any provisions for investment-based migration. This omission suggests a continued reluctance to reintroduce a route previously associated with reputational and security risks.

The Global Talent visa: a partial alternative?

The Global Talent visa, which allows individuals recognised as leaders or potential leaders in fields such as science, engineering and the arts to live and work in the UK, was expanded in 2025. A new five-year visa programme backed by £115m in relocation aid and research funding was announced, targeting top-tier professionals in strategic sectors.

While the Global Talent visa offers similar freedoms to the former investor visa – such as the ability to work flexibly and access accelerated settlement – it sets a high bar for eligibility. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional achievements or potential, often through prestigious awards, patents or leadership roles. For many high net worth individuals who aren’t active in these fields, the Global Talent route isn’t a viable alternative.

Pros and cons of introducing a new investor visa

Pros:

• Direct investment: a well-regulated investor visa could channel significant capital into UK businesses, infrastructure and innovation
• Indirect economic benefits: wealthy individuals and their families contribute to the economy through spending on housing, education, healthcare and luxury goods
• Global competitiveness: countries like Portugal, Italy and Dubai actively promote investor visas. A UK equivalent would help maintain competitiveness in attracting global wealth
• Cultural and economic growth: the UK’s appeal – its cultural institutions, education system and financial markets – makes it a natural destination for global investors
• Avoiding misuse of other routes: without a dedicated investor visa, individuals may apply under routes not designed for their circumstances, leading to inefficiencies and potential misuse.

Cons:

• Security and financial crime risks: past misuse of the Tier 1 route highlights the need for robust due diligence and transparency
• Public perception: “golden visas” can be seen as elitist, potentially undermining public confidence in the immigration system
• Policy complexity: designing a visa that balances economic benefit with security and fairness is challenging and politically sensitive.

Is a new investor visa likely?

At present, the UK government appears focused on reducing migration and tightening eligibility across most visa categories. The May 2025 white paper reflects a broader political mandate to restore control over borders and prioritise domestic workforce development.

While the expansion of the Global Talent visa signals a willingness to attract high-value individuals, the bar remains high and excludes many potential investors.

Introducing a new investor visa would require a significant shift in policy thinking – one that recognises investment as a legitimate and valuable form of economic contribution. Such a shift may be essential for long-term growth, especially as the UK seeks to position itself as a global leader in innovation and finance post-Brexit.

Tax and practical considerations also underscore the importance of aligning visa policy with broader economic strategy. Without a dedicated investor route, the UK risks losing out on global capital and talent to more liberal jurisdictions.

While discussions are underway and proposals have been floated, a formal investor visa is unlikely to be introduced imminently. However, if economic pressures mount and the need for foreign investment becomes more acute, the government may be compelled to revisit the idea – perhaps as part of a broader strategy to attract strategic investment in key sectors.