What are the main eligibility requirements for Settlement by Investment?

In order to be eligible for indefinite leave to remain, you must demonstrate to UK Visas and Immigration that you meet the requirements, regardless of the category you apply under.

• You have resided lawfully in the UK for a consecutive amount of time in an approved category (often 5 years, unless you are asking for rapid settlement).
• You have not exceeded a total absence of 180 days in any consecutive 12-month period prior to the application date while being in the UK.
• You possess an ample understanding of the English language, unless you are 65 years old or older.
• You have successfully completed and achieved a passing score on the Life in the UK test, unless you are 65 years of age or older.

The investment-related settlement categories each have their own specific eligibility conditions, which are outlined below.

What else do I need to know about Settlement by Investment?

If you meet the requirements for settlement through investment or indefinite leave to remain, you will have the privilege of residing in the UK without any limitations on the duration of your stay.

If you are away from the UK for more than 2 years, your settled status will expire. If your Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) has expired, you might want to contemplate applying for a Returning Resident visa to be able to come back to the United Kingdom.

Obtaining permanent resident status is essential for becoming eligible for a British passport, as the process of becoming a British citizen through naturalisation requires the applicant to be permanently settled in the UK.

If you are 65 years of age or older, you are exempt from fulfilling the English language requirement or passing the Life in the UK test.

The Home Office also possesses the authority to exempt individuals from the requirement if it would be impractical to anticipate them to fulfil such obligation owing to a mental or physical ailment. Additionally, there are several other exemptions that are applicable.

If you are currently in the United Kingdom but are unable to meet the English language requirement, you may have the option to extend your stay in order to demonstrate your proficiency in English.