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You May Not Feel Like Uncle Sam Wants You… but the UK Does!

Posted on: 11 Nov, 16

After Donald Trump’s surprise victory, Oury and Clark commiserate with our American brothers and sisters and ask their lawyer friend to explain how US citizens can obtain a UK Tier 1 Visa.

Oury, Martin Luther had a dream, and I had a dream. I dreamt that Clinton had clinched victory from Trump by a narrow margin. When I woke up, I was convinced my dream was a reality and it was only when I switched the news on did I realise that my dream was NOT reality…

I know, can you believe it, new world regime, the uprising of disenfranchised Middle America…that impacts the whole world…how must citizens of the US be feeling at the moment…

Well some jubilant, some suicidal I guess!! The same way we all felt when we woke up to the reality of a Brexit vote…!! Gosh I didn’t know we all felt so differently … I read that people partied in the streets while the Canadian immigration website has been continually crashing!

Wow, I guess there are a pile of American’s for whom reality is slowly sinking in, and they just don’t want to live in the land of the free anymore…

So surely there must be options for US citizens who really want to continue to live in a free and inclusive society to move elsewhere, other than Canada?

There are Clark, but I wonder whether the current mood isn’t just a knee-jerk reaction, you know, like when you think something is going to go your way and it doesn’t and your instant emotional response is one of anger! Maybe we have all been too quick to judge and we need to give him a fair go?

Such the voice of reason at times Oury!

Even if Americans are concerned and are looking at settling elsewhere, do you think they will come to the UK after the vote for Brexit?

We may have voted for Brexit Oury, but only 16% of UK residents would have voted Trump. Much as Brexit is a huge issue we are a long way away from giving power to someone as divisive as Trump.

You’re so right Clark, plus the UK government has been wanting to attract entrepreneurs and investors, AND they have specific visas for people who want to come to the UK to start a business and / or invest in the UK…

Well, I had read something about it a while back. Why don’t we ask our lawyer friend if he knows what the deal is?

Hey, Larry the lawyer, we were wondering whether you knew anything about entrepreneur and investor visas for the UK? We were thinking that some of our friends in the US might seriously be looking for alternative places to live now that Trump is the president elect.

I sure do, there’s two different types of visas, there’s one called a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa. If someone has approximately $US250, 000 of their own money to invest in setting up or taking over a UK business and being actively involved in the running of the business then they likely qualify for this visa.

Really, wow, how long can they come for?

The initial visa is issued for just over 3 years, and then so long as they prove they have invested the money and created at least 2 jobs for UK workers that have each existed for 12 months or more, they can extend for a further 2 years, and then after that they can apply to settle in the UK.

Can they bring their family with them?

They sure can!

I also heard that there is an investor visa as well, is that also true?

Sure is, if an investor has approximately $US2, 500,000 in cash funds they can invest in UK businesses and qualify for an investor visa. This visa is granted for just over 3 years, can be extended for a further 2 years and may lead to longer term settlement.

What sort of investments can they make?

There aren’t any restrictions, but the key is that the investment portfolio needs to be able to be regularly valued.

Wow, so it’s a pretty passive way of securing a visa for an individual and family if they have access to that level of funds.

It sure is. If either of you know anyone who might be interested in learning more about these visas, just get them to respond using the form below.

If Americans are genuinely concerned, there are options outside of Canada and if they reach out to us and we’ll tell you more!

Disclaimer

We are but two fictitious characters throwing out ideas and comment to stimulate debate and collect information. As professional service firms, we are open-minded people and think independent thought and debate are essential to help us understand as well as navigate complex problems. By joves – doing business across Europe (and the world) is set to become a whole lot more complex in light of recent seismic political events. As businesses – we provide information and hopefully some wisdom – and we see this blog and its caricatures merely as a much more fun, perhaps slightly controversial, way of stimulating debate and collecting ideas. We’re searching for some true pearls of wisdom, and as we find them, we’ll share them with you.