UK Investor Visa Reform: A New Opportunity for Swiss HNWIs

The UK government’s reported plans to introduce a new investor visa represent a significant potential shift in its immigration and economic policy. For high-net-worth individuals in Switzerland considering residence abroad, this may mark the return of a viable and attractive route to the UK – one better aligned with transparency, strategic investment, and long-term economic benefit.

The Demise of the Tier 1 (Investor) Visa: Lessons from the Past

Until its closure in 2022, the Tier 1 (Investor) visa provided a straightforward route for wealthy individuals to secure UK residency in return for a minimum investment of £2 million. Most invested in government bonds or share capital. However, mounting concerns around lax due diligence, limited economic value, and misuse of the route – particularly around money laundering and insufficient integration – led to its abolition. At the time, the UK Home Office characterised its closure as essential to protect the integrity of the immigration system and combat illicit finance.

A Strategic Reset: Investment Migration Reimagined

Unlike the broad and passive approach of the previous scheme, the new investor visa currently under consideration would reportedly focus on strategic sectors – artificial intelligence, life sciences, and clean energy among them. This marks a deliberate move toward investment migration that supports the UK’s industrial strategy and long-term economic growth.

For Swiss residents accustomed to transparent, stable, and rules-based financial planning, this more focused approach may prove particularly appealing. Rather than simply offering residency in exchange for capital, the UK appears to be positioning itself as a destination for responsible investors who can help fund innovation and create real-world impact.

Key Elements of a Reformed UK Investor Visa

While full details are yet to be published, a modernised UK investor visa should include:

• Strategic sector alignment: Investments should be channelled into pre-approved funds, infrastructure projects, or scale-up ventures in innovation-led industries.

• Enhanced due diligence: Applicants will likely face greater scrutiny regarding the source of wealth and investment intentions, helping to ensure integrity and compliance.

• Meaningful residence and integration: New requirements may encourage a genuine UK presence, such as minimum stay thresholds or involvement with UK-based business activities.

• Exclusion of passive assets: Real estate and government bonds are expected to be excluded unless demonstrably linked to wider economic or public benefit.

For Swiss individuals seeking UK residence, this points to a more engaged model of investment migration – one that offers long-term security while aligning with responsible wealth management principles.

Why Swiss-Based Investors Should Consider the UK

This proposed investor visa emerges at a time when the UK is recalibrating its approach to both taxation and migration. With reforms to the non-domiciled tax regime and restrictions on other migration routes, Switzerland-based investors may find that this reformed scheme offers a welcome opportunity to enter the UK market under clear and strategically aligned conditions.

It is also likely that any new route will complement other UK pathways for entrepreneurs and innovators – such as the Global Talent, Innovator Founder, and Scale-up routes. For family offices and high-net-worth individuals looking to diversify their international presence, the UK’s appeal lies in its world-class education, financial services, legal system, and stable rule of law.

A Renewed Opportunity for Responsible Investment Migration

The closure of the Tier 1 (Investor) visa addressed legitimate concerns. However, its absence left the UK without a direct route for high-net-worth individuals to contribute meaningfully to its economy through investment. The introduction of a reformed investor visa – targeted, secure, and economically purposeful – could restore confidence while meeting modern standards of compliance and economic policy.

For Swiss residents exploring international relocation and investment options, this development is one to watch closely.

How Richmond Chambers Switzerland Can Help

At Richmond Chambers Switzerland, we advise high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and private banks in Switzerland on all aspects of UK residence by investment. Our team can assist you in evaluating your eligibility, identifying compliant investment opportunities, and preparing a strong application aligned with your wider wealth planning goals.

If you are considering UK residency through investment, or would like to understand how changes to UK immigration policy may affect your options, please contact us to arrange a confidential consultation.