Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Many people use the term Golden Visa to mean a visa or residence route that is based on investment or business activity. The United Kingdom does not currently operate a scheme branded as a Golden Visa. The most commonly cited comparable route, the Tier 1 Investor visa, was closed to new applicants in 2022. Immigration and residence permissions for Gateshead are governed by UK national immigration law and decided by the Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration.
That said, there are several UK immigration options that may suit people looking to invest in, start or run a business, settle in the UK or attract key talent. These include entrepreneur and business-innovation routes, skilled-worker and global-talent routes, family-based routes, and other specialist visas. Whether a particular route is available to you depends on your background, the nature and size of any investment or business, and your long-term settlement goals.
Immigration and investment-related moves involve legal, financial and practical complexity. You may need a lawyer if you face any of the following situations:
- You plan to base a visa application on business setup, investment or job sponsorship and need help structuring the application to meet Home Office rules.
- You have had a previous visa refusal, deportation order, or criminal conviction that could affect admissibility or credibility.
- You need to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship and are unsure whether your residence history, absences or other conditions satisfy the requirements.
- You are buying commercial or residential property in Gateshead and want to understand how ownership, source-of-funds evidence and tax rules interact with immigration requirements.
- You need tailored advice on tax, employment, or company formation linked to an immigration application.
- You want representation in an immigration tribunal or need to challenge an adverse Home Office decision.
A regulated immigration lawyer or adviser can help assess which immigration route fits your circumstances, prepare and review documents, advise on evidence of funds and business viability, liaise with the Home Office, and represent you in appeals or administrative reviews where allowed.
Immigration law is a matter of national law in the United Kingdom. Visas, entry clearance, leave to remain, settlement and naturalisation are determined under UK Home Office policy and legislation. Local authorities such as Gateshead Council do not decide immigration status, but they do interact with migrants in practical ways:
- Housing and local services - Gateshead Council administers council housing, council tax, local planning and housing standards. Eligibility for some local services may depend on immigration status.
- Business support and local economy - Starting or running a business in Gateshead requires company registration with Companies House, compliance with local planning and licensing rules, and interaction with local business support bodies.
- Property transactions - Property purchase, conveyancing and registration with HM Land Registry follow UK property law. Evidence of source of funds may be required by banks and conveyancers as part of anti-money-laundering checks.
- Tax and employment - HM Revenue & Customs administers income tax, national insurance and corporation tax. Immigration status affects the right to work and access to certain public funds.
Important practical takeaway - when planning any investment- or business-based immigration route, you will need to comply both with Home Office immigration requirements and with UK financial, tax and company law. Local Gateshead offices can help with practical matters like council services and local business networks, but they cannot grant or modify visa status.
People often use Golden Visa to mean an investor or residency-by-investment route. The UK does not operate a programme under that name. The Tier 1 Investor visa, which was the closest equivalent, was closed to new applicants in 2022. Today, investors and business founders generally explore other routes such as Innovator or Start-up routes, Skilled Worker or Global Talent visas, or family and settlement routes depending on their circumstances.
There is no dedicated investor visa currently open for new applicants that guarantees residence in return for a passive investment. You may be eligible for business or entrepreneurship routes if you will actively run a qualifying business in the UK, or you may consider other skilled or specialist routes. A lawyer can assess whether your plans meet the available routes.
Possible options include Start-up and Innovator Founder routes for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas, or a Skilled Worker visa if you can be sponsored by a UK employer. Which route fits you depends on the business model, the degree of innovation, funding and whether a sponsoring employer is involved. Getting tailored legal advice early is important to shape a viable application.
Settlement and naturalisation are governed by UK residency requirements rather than being location-specific to Gateshead. Residence requirements focus on physical presence in the UK, lawful leave, and permitted absences over a qualifying period. Where you live within the UK is usually less important than meeting the legal residence and good character requirements.
Typical documents include company formation documents, business plans, bank statements, audited accounts where available, contracts, evidence of source of funds, and invoices or customer contracts showing trading activity. Exact documentary needs depend on the route and the Home Office policy in effect for that route.
Yes, solicitors based in Gateshead can provide immigration advice and representation if they are authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or are regulated for immigration work through the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. Always check the adviser is properly regulated before instructing them.
Unregulated advisers may provide incorrect or incomplete advice, fail to submit applications properly, charge hidden fees, or expose you to fraud. For immigration advice, always use an adviser regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner to ensure professional standards and consumer protections.
Timescales vary by route and by whether the application is made from inside or outside the UK. Some visa decisions are made within weeks, others may take months. Settlement periods also vary - some routes lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years, others have different qualifying periods. Processing times and qualifying periods change, so check current Home Office policy and seek legal advice for planning.
Owning property in the UK does not, on its own, confer immigration rights. Evidence of UK ties such as property ownership may be supportive in demonstrating intentions to live in the UK, but immigration decisions depend on legal eligibility under the relevant visa category, not on property ownership alone.
Options after a refusal depend on the reason, the type of application and whether there is a right of appeal or administrative review. You may be able to submit an administrative review, appeal to the immigration tribunal, or prepare a fresh application. A lawyer can assess the refusal, explain deadlines, and advise on the best remedy and merits of challenging the decision.
Home Office - UK Visas and Immigration - the government department responsible for visas, leave to remain, settlement and naturalisation.
Gateshead Council - for local housing, planning, business support and council services.
Companies House - to register and manage UK companies if you plan to form a business in the UK.
HM Revenue & Customs - for guidance on tax, national insurance and the tax implications of investing or living in the UK.
HM Land Registry - for property registration and ownership records.
Law Society of England and Wales - to find solicitors who are authorised and regulated to provide immigration advice.
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner - regulator for non-solicitor immigration advisers; use this to check an adviser is authorised.
Citizens Advice - for free, general information on immigration issues and local support services.
Immigration Law Practitioners Association - professional body and resource for complex immigration issues.
1. Clarify your objective - decide whether your primary aim is settlement, running a business, employment, family reunion or another immigration outcome. This determines which routes are potentially available.
2. Gather basic documents - passport, travel history, evidence of funds, business plans and company records where relevant, and documents about your family circumstances. Early document preparation reduces delays.
3. Check regulation and qualifications - choose an adviser or solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner. Ask about their experience with business and investment-related immigration matters.
4. Arrange an initial consultation - a qualified immigration lawyer can assess eligibility, identify the strongest route, explain documentary requirements, estimate timescales and fees, and set out potential risks and mitigations.
5. Prepare and submit a thorough application - follow the lawyer"s instructions on evidence, translations, certified copies and submissions. Keep careful records of communications and receipts.
6. Plan for post-arrival compliance - understand employment rights, tax registration, driving, health care registration and local services in Gateshead so you remain compliant after arrival.
7. If your application is refused - act quickly. There are strict deadlines for appeals and administrative reviews. Ask your lawyer to explain the available challenge routes and next steps.
Important note - this guide provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law and policy change frequently. If you are considering relocation or an investment-related immigration route in Gateshead or elsewhere in the UK, consult a regulated immigration lawyer or authorised adviser for personalised legal advice.
