Investigation into investment thresholds under the Tier 1 (Investor) route

The Government has asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise on whether the current investment limits required under the Tier 1 (Investor) route are appropriate to deliver significant economic benefits for the UK.

Tier 1 of the Points Based System provides a means by which the highest value migrants can come to the UK. There are four routes within Tier 1: Entrepreneur; Graduate Entrepreneur; Investor; and Exceptional Talent.

The Tier 1 (Investor) route has been in existence since the introduction of the Points Based System (PBS) in 2008, replacing the previous Investor route. The minimum level of investment has been set at £1 million since the early part of the 1990s. The Government has now asked the MAC to review the minimum level of investment for the Tier 1 (Investor) route.

As part of this review, the Minister for Immigration has asked the MAC to consider the following question and report back by 7th February 2014:

“At present, the minimum level of investment for the Investor category is £1 million but accelerated settlement status can be achieved by investing either £5 million or £10 million. Migrants may use money loaned to them by UK banks when making their investment. The MAC is asked to consider whether the investment thresholds are appropriate to deliver significant economic benefits for the UK, in particular the minimum £1m threshold?”

The MAC has launched a call for evidence in relation to this commission.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v2.0.

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