High Net Worth Immigration to the UK

First thing’s first – there’s no ‘HNW Visa’ anymore

• The Tier 1 (Investor) visa was closed to new applicants on 17 February 2022 due to security and illicit finance concerns. The Home Office confirmed closure and signalled a pivot toward business‑focused routes with genuine economic impact.
• Subsequent government statements and practitioner updates have reiterated the permanent closure and the policy principle that no UK migration route should be available solely on the basis of passive wealth.

Implication: If you’re a HNWI, your pathway must now align with routes that assess innovation, business activity, global talent or sponsored work, rather than capital alone.

Typical pathways for high-net-worth individuals

Innovator Founder Visa – build an innovative UK business

Ideal if you want to found and actively run a new, viable and scalable venture in the UK. Requires endorsement by an approved body; no fixed minimum investment, but you must show sufficient lawful funds to deliver your endorsed plan. Initial visa for three years, ILR possible after three years if milestones met. Dependants allowed.

Typical HNWI objectives mapped to routes

• Entrepreneur wants fast ILR → Innovator Founder (3‑year path to ILR; endorsement and progress checks central).
• Business owner wants control & hires team → Self‑Sponsorship (Skilled Worker) via own company (five‑year ILR; heavy compliance but high control).
• Group expanding from abroad → UK Expansion Worker (temporary set‑up, then switch to Skilled Worker/other settlement routes).
• Award‑winning expert/artist/academic → Global Talent (endorsement, flexible work, three-year path to ILR).

Evidence & compliance (What HNWIs usually need to show)

• Lawful source of funds – consistent financial records and bank statements; for Innovator Founder, the focus isn’t on a fixed minimum but on realistic resourcing of the plan.
• Business plan and governance – innovation, market analysis, hiring roadmap, ESG/regulatory readiness; endorsement bodies test innovation/viability/scalability rigorously.
• English & maintenance – route‑specific levels (e.g., B2 for Innovator Founder; B2 for Skilled Worker), plus personal funds where required.
• Sponsor compliance (where relevant) – HR systems, right‑to‑work checks, reporting; sponsors are audited and can lose their licence for breaches.

Costs & timelines (Indicative)

• Innovator Founder: Visa fee £1,274/£1,590; IHS £1,035/year; endorsement fees vary (£1,000); decision times ~three weeks (outside UK) / eight weeks (inside UK) once biometrics complete.
• Skilled Worker (Self‑Sponsorship): Sponsor licence fees, Immigration Skills Charge, CoS fee, visa fee and IHS; licence processing typically eight–12 weeks; ILR after five years. (See official sponsor guidance for granular fees/duties.)
• UK Expansion Worker: Employer sponsor licence & worker visa fees/IHS; decision times broadly three–eight weeks depending on location and priority options.
• Global Talent: Endorsement fees vary by endorsing body; visa fees/IHS apply; settlement usually three–five years depending on field and endorsement.

Common pitfalls for HNWIs (and how we mitigate them)

• Treating wealth as the core qualifying factor – UK routes now prioritise innovation, genuine roles or recognised talent; applications anchored in passive investment are refused.
• Thin or generic business plans – endorsement bodies will reject plans lacking original value or credible scaling strategy; we co‑create investor‑grade plans tailored to endorsement criteria.
• Sponsor licence weaknesses – missing evidence, inadequate HR systems or non‑genuine vacancies lead to refusal or compliance action; we implement audit‑ready sponsor frameworks.

How we help High Net Worth Clients

• Route strategy – we map your objectives (residence, timeline to ILR, family, business control) to the optimal pathway.
• Endorsement orchestration – for Innovator Founder/Global Talent, we prepare the dossier to match endorsers’ criteria.
• Corporate setup & sponsorship – we establish compliant UK entities, secure sponsor licences, and design HR reporting to withstand audits.
• Full‑cycle case management – from evidence collation and application drafting to biometrics, decision, and post‑grant compliance.

Start your UK plan today

If you’re a HNWI exploring UK relocation, our specialist immigration solicitors can design a compliant pathway that fits your wealth profile, risk appetite and long‑term goals.

Book a free initial consultation and we’ll outline the most suitable visa alternatives and a potential timeline to settlement.