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Tier 1 (Investor)

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Joint funding

This page explains what proof of joint funding you must provide to support your initial application to the investor category (Tier 1 Investor) under the points-based system to come to the United Kingdom.

Full details of all requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraphs 245 O-U of part 6a and Appendix A, which you can find on the right of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.

Evidence of your relationship

If you rely on money held jointly or solely by your partner, you must provide specified evidence to show your relationship.

If money is held jointly with a partner, or solely by the partner, then the partner must give permission for you to control this money in the United Kingdom, and you should send a document confirming this.

You must provide evidence from either of the following:

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The original certificate of marriage or civil partnership, to confirm the relationship

This should include your name and your husband, wife or civil partner (known as partner).

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Evidence of a two-year relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership

A relationship that is similar in its nature to a marriage or civil partnership includes both unmarried and same-sex relationships. To prove you are living together in a committed relationship, you should provide at least three pieces of evidence of joint commitments from the following list (all must have been held for a minimum of two years and the evidence must cover the full two-year period):

  • a bank statement or letter from a bank confirming a joint bank account (an account held in both names);
  • official document such as a mortgage agreement showing a joint mortgage;
  • official documents such as deeds of ownership or a mortgage agreement showing a joint investment, for example in property or business;
  • joint rent (tenancy) agreement;
  • any other official correspondence linking both partners to the same address, for example bills for council tax, electricity, gas, or water supply;
  • life insurance policy naming the other partner as beneficiary;
  • birth certificates of any children of the relationship, showing both partners as parents.

We may also consider any other evidence that adequately shows your long-term commitment to one another.

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A declaration from your partner that they will allow all joint or personal money used to claim points for the application to be under your control in the United Kingdom

This is known as a gift of beneficial ownership of the money while retaining the legal title.

This must be an original document and not a copy. The document means that  your partner must not be able to access the money without your consent, and you must be able to use the money freely without the consent of your partner.

You can find an example of how the letter might look at the end of the policy guidance which you can download from the Applying section.

The declaration must clearly show:

  • the names of you and your partner;
  • the date of the declaration;
  • your and your partner's signatures;
  • the amount of money available; and
  • a statement that your partner agrees that you have sole control over the money.

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A letter from a legal adviser confirming that the declaration is valid

The confirmation from a legal adviser capable of providing the information (this is a legal adviser permitted to practise in the country where the declaration was made) must clearly show:

  • the name of the legal adviser confirming that the declaration is valid;
  • the registration or authority of the legal adviser to practise legally in the country in which the document was drawn up;
  • the date of the confirmation of the declaration;
  • the names of you and your parnter; and
  • that the declaration is signed and valid according to the laws of the country in which it was made.

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