The investor category is designed to allow high net worth individuals make a substantial financial investment in the United Kingdom. Unlike our work permit scheme, you do not need a job offer to apply under the investor category. When you apply you are awarded points based on your ability to invest £1,000,000 in the United Kingdom.

You can apply under the investor category now if you are:

• in the United Kingdom and want to make an initial application as an investor (known as switching);
• already in the United Kingdom as a tier 1 investor or as an investor under the former category, and want to extend your permission to stay within the tier 1 investor category; 
• applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the investor category.