The United Kingdom government is circulating proposals for a new investor visa program requiring a minimum investment of £5 million (approximately US$6.7 million). The initiative would grant three years of residency to wealthy foreign nationals who commit capital to priority sectors of the British economy.
Structured as an invite-only framework, the program targets entrepreneurs and globally mobile individuals. Participants would undergo enhanced vetting and receive a direct pathway to permanent residency after three years. Earlier this month, the Office for Investment—a cross-government unit operating under 10 Downing Street alongside the Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade—distributed the proposals to private wealth advisers to solicit feedback. Official documents indicate that qualifying investments must be directed toward priority areas, such as fast-growing domestic businesses.
What’s In and What’s Out
Real estate is explicitly excluded as a qualifying asset. This restriction aims to prevent the speculative capital inflows that drew criticism under the previous Tier 1 (Investor) visa, which the government terminated in February 2022 to mitigate the influence of Russian money.
To further differentiate the new route, authorities will implement rigorous due diligence processes to minimize money-laundering risks. The former Tier 1 program required a minimum investment of £2 million and offered settlement in five years, with accelerated timelines of three years for a £5 million investment and two years for £10 million.
The proposed £5 million entry point aligns with the previous accelerated tier but eliminates all lower thresholds. For comparative context, Portugal’s golden visa requires €500,000 for fund investments, Greece’s program ranges from €250,000 to €800,000, and the United States EB-5 program sets its standard threshold at US$1,050,000.
Farzin Yazdi, Head of Investor Visa at Shard Capital Partners, stated that the government's decision to reintroduce the visa aligns with industry demands that have been voiced over the past four years. Yazdi argued that global Residency by Investment programs are typically introduced when a country requires maximum Foreign Direct Investment. He noted that the current economic climate presents an optimal opportunity to reintroduce the visa and signal that the UK remains open for international business.
Political Uncertainty
The survival of these proposals remains uncertain amid current political turbulence. Wealth advisers received the documents prior to the Labour Party's significant losses in local elections, which have placed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership under severe pressure. The current developmental stage of the plans is unclear, and a potential leadership challenge could stall the initiative.
Additionally, critics within the Labour Party have previously challenged separate proposals linking permanent residency to income levels. A fast-track residency pathway announced in November 2025 offered a three-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)—the UK's permanent residency status—for visa holders earning above £125,000, bypassing the standard five-year requirement.
Combating an Exodus
The government's reconsideration of an investor visa model reflects mounting economic pressures. The abolition of the non-domiciled tax regime, which took effect in April 2025, prompted several billionaires, including John Fredriksen, Nassef Sawiris, and Guillaume Pousaz, to relocate or reduce their ties to the country. Business Secretary Peter Kyle has publicly acknowledged that higher tax levies introduced under the Labour government contributed to the departure of ultra-high-net-worth residents.
According to data from Henley & Partners, nearly 11,000 millionaires left the UK in 2024, with an additional 16,500 departures projected by the end of 2025. Consequently, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Turkey have intensified efforts to attract the same globally mobile capital.
The UK began formulating plans for a revised investor visa last year. The objective is to attract high-value entrants while simultaneously tightening other visa categories in response to concerns over overall migration levels and pressure on public services and housing.
A white paper published last year outlined the government's ambition to attract global talent as part of broader immigration reforms. However, the broader immigration system has adopted a more restrictive posture. English language requirements were raised to the B2 level starting in January 2026, and a new earned settlement model extends the standard pathway to ILR from five to ten years for most migrants.
A government spokesperson stated via email that the UK is "making every effort to attract investment" and that the Global Talent Taskforce is "keeping all options under review." Furthermore, Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s second budget in November introduced plans for a "tax offer" designed to attract high-talent individuals, though detailed specifications have not yet been released. Business Secretary Kyle’s acknowledgment regarding the impact of tax changes on wealthy departures may have accelerated the timeline for the new visa proposals.
The proposed invite-only structure distinguishes the UK's approach from most current global golden visa programs, with the exception of Grenada’s citizenship by invitation route, which is not a standalone program. Rather than an open application process, the UK is designing a curated channel with pre-selection. This mechanism is intended to manage reputational risks and strictly control the composition of the applicant pipeline.
The NATLAN will continue to monitor amendments to Portuguese legislation and will promptly inform you of any new developments. If you have any questions or require an individual assessment of your situation, you may schedule a consultation with our company.
Structured as an invite-only framework, the program targets entrepreneurs and globally mobile individuals. Participants would undergo enhanced vetting and receive a direct pathway to permanent residency after three years. Earlier this month, the Office for Investment—a cross-government unit operating under 10 Downing Street alongside the Treasury and the Department for Business and Trade—distributed the proposals to private wealth advisers to solicit feedback. Official documents indicate that qualifying investments must be directed toward priority areas, such as fast-growing domestic businesses.
What’s In and What’s Out
Real estate is explicitly excluded as a qualifying asset. This restriction aims to prevent the speculative capital inflows that drew criticism under the previous Tier 1 (Investor) visa, which the government terminated in February 2022 to mitigate the influence of Russian money.
To further differentiate the new route, authorities will implement rigorous due diligence processes to minimize money-laundering risks. The former Tier 1 program required a minimum investment of £2 million and offered settlement in five years, with accelerated timelines of three years for a £5 million investment and two years for £10 million.
The proposed £5 million entry point aligns with the previous accelerated tier but eliminates all lower thresholds. For comparative context, Portugal’s golden visa requires €500,000 for fund investments, Greece’s program ranges from €250,000 to €800,000, and the United States EB-5 program sets its standard threshold at US$1,050,000.
Farzin Yazdi, Head of Investor Visa at Shard Capital Partners, stated that the government's decision to reintroduce the visa aligns with industry demands that have been voiced over the past four years. Yazdi argued that global Residency by Investment programs are typically introduced when a country requires maximum Foreign Direct Investment. He noted that the current economic climate presents an optimal opportunity to reintroduce the visa and signal that the UK remains open for international business.
Political Uncertainty
The survival of these proposals remains uncertain amid current political turbulence. Wealth advisers received the documents prior to the Labour Party's significant losses in local elections, which have placed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership under severe pressure. The current developmental stage of the plans is unclear, and a potential leadership challenge could stall the initiative.
Additionally, critics within the Labour Party have previously challenged separate proposals linking permanent residency to income levels. A fast-track residency pathway announced in November 2025 offered a three-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)—the UK's permanent residency status—for visa holders earning above £125,000, bypassing the standard five-year requirement.
Combating an Exodus
The government's reconsideration of an investor visa model reflects mounting economic pressures. The abolition of the non-domiciled tax regime, which took effect in April 2025, prompted several billionaires, including John Fredriksen, Nassef Sawiris, and Guillaume Pousaz, to relocate or reduce their ties to the country. Business Secretary Peter Kyle has publicly acknowledged that higher tax levies introduced under the Labour government contributed to the departure of ultra-high-net-worth residents.
According to data from Henley & Partners, nearly 11,000 millionaires left the UK in 2024, with an additional 16,500 departures projected by the end of 2025. Consequently, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, and Turkey have intensified efforts to attract the same globally mobile capital.
The UK began formulating plans for a revised investor visa last year. The objective is to attract high-value entrants while simultaneously tightening other visa categories in response to concerns over overall migration levels and pressure on public services and housing.
A white paper published last year outlined the government's ambition to attract global talent as part of broader immigration reforms. However, the broader immigration system has adopted a more restrictive posture. English language requirements were raised to the B2 level starting in January 2026, and a new earned settlement model extends the standard pathway to ILR from five to ten years for most migrants.
A government spokesperson stated via email that the UK is "making every effort to attract investment" and that the Global Talent Taskforce is "keeping all options under review." Furthermore, Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s second budget in November introduced plans for a "tax offer" designed to attract high-talent individuals, though detailed specifications have not yet been released. Business Secretary Kyle’s acknowledgment regarding the impact of tax changes on wealthy departures may have accelerated the timeline for the new visa proposals.
The proposed invite-only structure distinguishes the UK's approach from most current global golden visa programs, with the exception of Grenada’s citizenship by invitation route, which is not a standalone program. Rather than an open application process, the UK is designing a curated channel with pre-selection. This mechanism is intended to manage reputational risks and strictly control the composition of the applicant pipeline.
The NATLAN will continue to monitor amendments to Portuguese legislation and will promptly inform you of any new developments. If you have any questions or require an individual assessment of your situation, you may schedule a consultation with our company.