We have over the past few months seen numerous changes to the immigration rules and more importantly the government.
One would have thought that new coalition government will further transform immigration rules and get it as tough as possible, i.e. limiting the amount of non-EU nationals in the UK. However, although proposed for further tougher changes, this had not happen yet.
The more important note you can see however, if you a true follower of immigration rule that there are certain things that haven’t changed in many years. Investors!
Investor immigration rule had been a very long standing feature within the immigration rules and had always been welcomed by the UK Government, let it be Labour, Tories or Lib Dems. High Net Worth migrants are always welcomed in the UK.
Even when the world of UK Immigration rules had been changing out of recognition and there appeared to be numerous new requirements for each part of the immigration rules, i.e. English Language, increase in salary bands, level of education. The Investment rule stayed true to its form and had not alter a single bit.
The requirement needing £1 Million investment in the UK in UK markets and/or £1 Million Loan to invest in the UK market stayed the way it is. Investors, even with the rapid changes made by the former government before the general election will still exempt investors from needing English, a set maintenance level or otherwise.
So, why are we still holding back in using this route (if we are able to).
The Investment route in our opinion certainly forms a stable route which appears so far to be untainted by any changes and the Investment route still appeared to be the best choice out of it all.
With the UK market trying to resume its normal healthy form, is it the best time for investment? Well, you need to ask your financial advisor this but to us, it seems to be a route to kill 2 birds with one stone. Earn a bit of money and migrate to the UK under a very stable migration route.
We have encountered many persons who has the ability to migrate under this route but very often, the only concern they have is whether or not this route is too good to be true. More importantly, is the investment route like many other countries where it seems you will never be able to get your money back.
To answer the first question, it is certainly not too good to be true. A commitment of investment of £1 Million in the UK markets should not be taken lightly. The UK Government understands this and therefore will offer a slight more advantageous position for such migrants.
In relation to the second question, investment route is very different from other countries that offer investment / donation programmes. Investment route is design truly for investors who want to invest in the UK. The UK Government does not receive your money, only the British markets do.
Investors can have full control of their own investments or they can choose, on their own accord a financial institution or broker to conduct such investments. Although no investment can guarantee a return, you can be assuring that you are not buying residence in the UK. You are investing in the UK for a long term.
All in all, our assessment of the current immigration rules is that the UK will continue to welcome investor routes and should you or your family wish to migrate to the UK, this should be the first route you are thinking of.
