United Kingdom: residency, citizenship, tax and living
The UK offers multiple residency pathways for entrepreurs and skilled talent, with limited options for passive investors and a clear path to citizenship.
- Tax regime4-Year FIG (eligible newcomers)
- Residency routesInnovator Founder, Global Talent
- To citizenship3–6 years
- Min. investmentN/A
Explore United Kingdom by topic
Residency & citizenship
Tax
Banking & living
Common questions
How can you get residency in the UK?
The process of obtaining permanent residency in the UK, known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR), typically involves securing temporary residency through one of the visa programs and living in the country for 2–10 years, depending on the visa. The pathway is available to holders of work visas, individuals with family members in the UK, and persons who’ve lived in the country legally for at least 10 years.
Does the UK still have an investor visa?
No. The UK closed its Investor visa to new applicants in 2022, citing security concerns. Individuals who were in the country on the visa were allowed to apply for a two-year extension or to settle in the UK. As of 2026, the only UK visa available to investors and entrepreneurs is the Innovator Founder visa.
How long does it take to get British citizenship?
In most cases, you can apply for British citizenship after living in the country for five years and holding indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for 12 months. if you are married to or in a civil partnership with a British citizen, you can apply immediately after obtaining ILR if you’ve previously lived in the country for three years.
What replaced the UK non-dom regime, and who does it affect?
The UK non-dom regime was replaced by a four-year Foreign Income and Gains (FIG) regime. The new regime will apply to new residents, offering four years of 100% tax relief on foreign income and gains provided that they haven’t been a UK resident in any of the 10 consecutive years before arriving to the country.