CONGRATS!
The best resource to answer your questions is an Immigration lawyer based in the UK who has good experience with dealing Tier 1 (entrepreneur) visas.
I am an aspirant for the Entrepreneur Visa, so my knowledge is at the moment from reading through the guidance docs.
Having said that, from the guidance doc, I understand that as long as the transactions are done through a current account set for your business in the UK and are subject to UK taxation, you could buy stock (assuming you mean material commodities). You can even buy property solely to conduct your business (and not as a property investment for appreciation) and that would still be an expenditure (correct me if I am wrong, but I haven't found anything that says otherwise). But, you must show proof that such property investment for business has created two NEW full-time jobs.
Investing money as shares in your own business or other's business? - If your own business then that would just form part of the procedural requirement and not an expenditure. If other's business, then you should be employed as a director and your investment should create a net increase in 2 NEW jobs (even if it's your business).
I don't have enough knowledge to comment about the director's loan.
I know the thinking, when there is no enough knowledge about the UK business markets, I would at least try to protect my 200K in the worst case and look for the easiest and legal way to do that. Anyway, I believe there is enough time to figure that out before applying for an extension.
By the way, I am currently on the way to apply for the Entrepreneur Visa (200K route from outside UK). If you followed 200K route also, I would appreciate if you could provide some guidance with the application process. Please PM me your contact details or email me at
krishna9780@hotmail.com
Thanks,
Krishna.
