UK Budget 2026: no investor visa, trust moves made easier

The UK Budget 2026, published by HM Treasury on 28 October 2026, does not bring back an investor visa. As of October 2026 the UK has had no investor route since the Tier 1 Investor visa closed on 17 February 2022. Instead, the Budget makes the UK easier for wealthy families with trusts and for founders.

The Treasury says it will make it easier for people with existing trusts to move to the UK. It will ease the capital gains tax exit charge when trustees move a trust, for exit charges on or after 28 October 2026, with the law to follow in Finance Bill 2026-27. It will also act on double tax relief for UK residents who invest through US limited liability companies. A new Founders' Relief will tax up to £10 million of lifetime gains at 10% from 6 April 2027.

On visas, the High Potential Individual route will widen to graduates of the world's top 150 universities, with a matching rise in its cap. The Graduate visa will run for two years for graduates of high-compliance universities, and from 2027 the most highly skilled workers may get up to six months to find a new job. The Treasury will keep the residence-based tax regime under review, using new evidence next year.