Questions & Answers

When during the U.K. Tier 1 (Investor) visa citizenship application process must I reside in the U.K. without ability to travel out of the country?

I have several relatives who have gained a U.S. green card and understand that there is a period in which applicants waiting for their green card cannot leave the country. I want to make sure to plan accordingly should there be a similar rule in the United Kingdom.

Answers

• Sandip Basu

  UK Immigration Advisor

  Answered on December 5, 2017

  Thank you for your question. To extend an application (after the initial three years), you have two options. First, you can submit the application by post; this means giving up your passport for up to 12 weeks. Second, for €10,500 you can use the Super-Premium Service, in which the Home Office will send their caseworkers to your office or home address and the application should be processed within three days. You would only be without your passports for those three days (this depends on whether the application is successful or not). The same procedure can be used for the settlement (permanent residence) application too.

• Maria Patsalos

  UK Immigration Advisor

  Answered on December 1, 2017

  That is not the case for the UK. Your passport needs to be submitted for the Indefinite Leave to Remain application but, by using the Super Premium service, your passport should only be retained for approximately a week.

• Emil Manasyan

  UK Immigration Advisor

  Answered on December 1, 2017

  You will need to reside in the UK while the application for switching to Tier 1 (Investor), extension or ILR is pending. All the documents will need to be submitted with the application and you will get them back once the result of the application is decided. Hope this helps.

• Helena Sheizon

  UK Immigration Advisor

  Answered on December 1, 2017

  Thank you for your inquiry. There is no equivalent requirement under UK immigration rules, but you cannot travel abroad while your application is submitted to the Home Office for extension of permission to stay or indefinite leave to remain (the term we use for permanent right of residence). The applications normally take about 8 weeks and this is the time you have to be in the country. Hope this helps.