Octopus Investments is launching a new investment product called Octopus Gateway to assist those high net worth individuals looking to settle in the UK by attaining a Tier 1 investor visa.

“UK advisors are finding themselves with increasing numbers of HNW clients who wish to remain in the UK but are worried about the investment requirements of a Tier 1 visa,” said Paul Latham, managing director.

Visa applicants must ensure their assets are being invested appropriately so as to meet the investment criteria of the UK’s immigration policy, he explained.

At present, applicants are required to invest a portion of their assets into gilts or active and trading UK-registered companies to remain in the UK past the initial entry visa period, or on a permanent basis. 

Octopus Gateway allows HNW individuals to do so while offering a reliable investment return in excess of that available through gilts. Additionally, HNW individuals from outside of Europe are able to “fast-track” their UK visa application by investing in UK assets which deliver stable returns and preserve capital, the firm said.

“Bringing money into the UK exposes an investor to inheritance tax when they die,” Lathan added. While most UK-based inheritance tax planning solutions take at least seven years to take effect, investments made into Octopus Gateway qualify for tax relief after they have been held for two years, he continued.

The firm highlighted that in 2011 over 20,000 people were granted Tier 1 visas or the equivalent by the UK Border Agency.