United Kingdom.

Predecessor of the Tier 1 (Investor) visa (gbr-tier1-investor), with its own legal basis: paragraphs 224 to 229 of the Immigration Rules, deleted by HC 607 from 30 June 2008 when Tier 1 (Investor) (paras 245O-245U) replaced it. The MAC (2014) dates the route to 1 October 1994: applicants had to hold at least GBP 1 million in the UK, invest GBP 750,000 in UK Government bonds, stocks or corporate bonds and make the UK their main home; from 2004 the funds could be borrowed from a UK regulated institution if personal net assets were at least twice the investment. The 1994 text itself is not stored; the launch date is the start date given by the MAC. No separate counts found.

Residence by investment under Part 6A of the Immigration Rules (paras 245E-245EF; originally 245O-245U), created by HC 607 from 30 June 2008, replacing an 'investor' category that had existed since 1 October 1994. Investors held GBP 1m (GBP 2m from 6 Nov 2014) and invested it in UK government bonds (until 29 March 2019) or share/loan capital of UK trading companies; no job or business required. First grant 3 years 4 months, extension 2 years. Settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after 5 years, or after 3 years with GBP 5m / 2 years with GBP 10m (from 6 April 2011). Citizenship by naturalisation possible 12 months after settlement and 5 years' residence (MAC 2014: 6 years at GBP 1m, 5 years at GBP 5m/10m). Closed to new applicants at 16:00 on 17 Feb 2022 by CP 632; existing investors could extend until 17 Feb 2026 and may apply to settle until 17 Feb 2028. Home Office statistics count visas per person and separate main applicants from dependants; no official figure for total money invested.