Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Aberdeen

About Golden Visa Law in Aberdeen, United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom the term Golden Visa commonly refers to the former Tier 1 Investor route. This route allowed non UK nationals to obtain a UK visa by making a substantial qualifying investment in the UK. Although residents and investors often talk about the Golden Visa in local terms such as in Aberdeen immigration law is set nationally. This means the same UK Immigration Rules apply in Scotland and England and Wales and Northern Ireland.

The UK Government closed the Tier 1 Investor route to new applicants on 17 February 2022. If you do not already hold leave as a Tier 1 Investor you cannot start a new Golden Visa application. However many people in Aberdeen still hold this status. Subject to the Immigration Rules that applied when they were granted leave existing Tier 1 Investors are generally able to apply for extensions until 17 February 2026 and for settlement also called Indefinite Leave to Remain until 17 February 2028. These deadlines are critical and anyone affected should check the current Home Office position before acting.

Historically the route required a minimum 2 million pounds investment and offered accelerated settlement for higher investment levels. Investment had to be made in qualifying UK share capital or loan capital in active trading UK companies. The route imposed ongoing maintenance and evidential requirements and specific rules applied to rebalancing and topping up portfolios. Those obligations remain relevant to people in Aberdeen who are preparing extension or settlement applications today.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Golden Visa cases can be document heavy time sensitive and complex. A lawyer can help you audit your investment portfolio against the current evidential rules for Tier 1 Investors confirm that every component of the investment still qualifies and identify any gaps before you file. This is especially important if your portfolio has changed over time or if you relied on transitional rules after previous rule changes.

Source of funds analysis is often the most challenging part. Lawyers work with banks and wealth managers to prepare compliant evidence for money originating from gifts inheritance business sales dividends or trusts. This can be decisive at extension or settlement because the Home Office scrutinises anti money laundering and sanctions risks very closely.

Applicants and dependants also benefit from advice on residence and absences English language and Life in the UK requirements criminality disclosures and switching into alternative routes if the investor route is no longer available to them. If you face a refusal a lawyer can assess options such as administrative review or judicial review which are technical and deadline driven.

In Aberdeen a lawyer can coordinate with local FCA regulated wealth managers accountants and tax advisers ensure your UK bank and custodian statements meet format requirements and guide you through practical steps like booking biometrics at a UKVCAS service point and preparing for the transition from a BRP to an eVisa.

Local Laws Overview

Immigration is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament. People in Aberdeen follow the same UK Immigration Rules that govern the Tier 1 Investor route across the country. The current legal landscape is defined by the closure of the route to new applicants the limited windows for extension and settlement for existing holders and continuing evidential requirements for qualifying investments.

Key immigration points include qualifying investment in share capital or loan capital in active trading UK companies not including passive investment in companies mainly engaged in property investment. Complex structures such as investments routed through funds or special purpose vehicles require careful analysis. After earlier reforms many investors could not rely on UK government bonds for new investments and those who did so under older rules may have needed to rebalance their portfolios. The Home Office requires evidence from UK regulated banks and FCA regulated institutions showing investment level timing and maintenance.

Anti money laundering rules apply to banks wealth managers and applicants. Firms must complete know your customer checks under the UK Money Laundering Regulations. The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation enforces UK sanctions which can affect whether funds are acceptable and whether an investment is compliant. If you plan to invest in or incorporate UK companies you should also consider Companies House identity verification reforms under recent economic crime legislation.

For settlement investors must satisfy residence rules usually no more than 180 days absence from the UK in any 12 month period take and pass the Life in the UK Test and meet English language requirements unless exempt. Dependants have their own residence and eligibility rules. Fees and the immigration health surcharge change from time to time so always confirm the current amounts before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Golden Visa in the UK and can I still apply?

The Golden Visa refers to the UK Tier 1 Investor route. It closed to new applicants on 17 February 2022. If you do not already hold this status you cannot start a new application. Existing Tier 1 Investors may still apply to extend or settle within the permitted windows.

I live in Aberdeen. Does my location affect my Golden Visa case?

Substantive rules are national so the same Immigration Rules apply whether you live in Aberdeen or elsewhere in the UK. The main local differences are practical such as where you book biometrics through UKVCAS and which local professionals you use for banking wealth management tax and legal services.

What are the key deadlines for existing Tier 1 Investors?

As a general rule extensions are permitted until 17 February 2026 and settlement applications until 17 February 2028. Check the latest Home Office guidance and your grant letters to confirm how these dates apply to you and do not wait until the last minute to prepare supporting evidence.

What counts as a qualifying investment for extensions and settlement?

Qualifying investments are usually in UK share capital or loan capital in active trading UK companies. Passive investment in companies mainly engaged in property investment does not qualify. Evidence must come from UK regulated banks and FCA regulated institutions and must show that you invested the correct amount within the required time and maintained it for the required period. Complex or pooled investments need careful review against the rules that applied to you.

I invested in UK government bonds years ago. Is that still acceptable?

Government bonds were removed for most new investments after earlier rule changes. Some investors relied on transitional provisions but many were required to rebalance into qualifying share or loan capital. Your position depends on when you applied and what your grant required. A portfolio audit against the correct rule set is essential before filing.

What if the value of my portfolio fell below 2 million pounds?

The rules focus on the amount invested and maintaining the qualifying level. In some situations you must top up to restore the qualifying level within a set period. The approach can depend on when you applied which investments you hold and market movements. Get tailored advice and current statements showing compliance.

What residence and absence rules apply for settlement?

Most Tier 1 Investors must not exceed 180 days absence from the UK in any 12 month period during the qualifying period. You also need to pass the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language requirement unless exempt. Keep detailed travel records passports and evidence of UK residence such as tenancy and utility documents.

Can my family members apply as dependants?

Dependants such as a spouse or partner and children can usually extend and later settle if they meet their own requirements for residence and criminality and if the main applicant maintains valid leave. Children turning 18 may need extra documents. Each dependant pays their own fees and immigration health surcharge where required.

How do I prove the source of my funds?

You must show that your funds are lawfully obtained and under your control. Evidence can include bank statements sale agreements for businesses or properties gift deeds inheritance documents trust instruments and tax confirmations. The Home Office expects consistent documentary trails and may question politically exposed persons or funds from higher risk jurisdictions.

Where do I give biometrics in or near Aberdeen and how long does a decision take?

Biometrics are enrolled at a UKVCAS service point. There is a service point in Aberdeen and other locations across Scotland. Processing times vary by category and whether you use a priority service. Always check current timelines and ensure all documents are uploaded in the required format to avoid delays.

Are there alternatives if I cannot use the Golden Visa route?

Yes. Depending on your profile you may consider Innovator Founder for entrepreneurs Skilled Worker Global Talent Scale up or Global Business Mobility routes. Each has different sponsorship or endorsement rules investment expectations and residence pathways. A lawyer can assess which route best fits your goals.

Additional Resources

UK Visas and Immigration, the Home Office unit responsible for immigration policy and decision making on visa extensions and settlement.

UKVCAS, the service for booking biometrics appointments and uploading documents for most in country applications.

Financial Conduct Authority, the regulator for UK banks and investment firms that issue the portfolio and custody evidence relied on in investor applications.

Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, the authority for UK financial sanctions that can affect funds and investments.

HM Revenue and Customs, for the Statutory Residence Test guidance and tax compliance when you become UK resident.

Companies House, the registrar of companies in the UK, relevant if you invest directly in or incorporate UK companies.

Law Society of Scotland, the regulator and professional body for solicitors in Scotland who provide immigration and investment related legal services.

Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, the regulator for non solicitor immigration advisers in the UK.

Aberdeen City Council, for practical local matters such as schooling housing and council tax once you are living in Aberdeen.

Scottish Enterprise, a national economic development agency that can signpost business and investment information in Scotland.

Next Steps

Confirm whether you already hold Tier 1 Investor leave and identify your key deadline for extension or settlement. Retrieve your grant letters and any previous application documents so that your adviser can check which set of rules and transitional provisions apply to you.

Arrange a portfolio compliance audit with your lawyer and an FCA regulated wealth manager. Collect current and historic investment schedules custody statements and transaction records that show when and how much you invested and how you maintained the qualifying level. If any part of your portfolio does not qualify plan corrective action well before you apply.

Prepare source of funds evidence. Map out the flow of funds from origin to investment with bank statements and supporting documents. Address anti money laundering and sanctions considerations early so your bank and custodian can issue compliant letters on time.

Check residence and absences for you and your dependants. Book the Life in the UK Test and arrange English language evidence if needed. Review passports travel records tenancy agreements and utility bills to prove residence.

Plan application logistics. Confirm current fees and the immigration health surcharge, set up a UKVI account if invited to move to an eVisa, book a UKVCAS appointment in Aberdeen or another convenient location, and upload documents in the correct formats.

If you do not qualify to extend or settle under the investor route ask a qualified adviser to assess alternative immigration pathways that match your goals in Aberdeen and the wider United Kingdom. Early planning gives you the widest set of options and the best chance of a smooth outcome.