SA entrepreneurs encouraged to enter UK market

The British Home Office has come up with an innovative programme which encourages foreign investment in the UK. The deal is that in exchange for solid return-generating investments in pre-approved businesses in the UK, investors can get highly sought after British citizenship.

The route that Sable Group MD, Gary Kockott, would recommend, is the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Investment Programme – an attractive option for anyone looking to sell off their assets in South Africa before emigrating to the UK.

This UK citizenship investment programme requires an investment of £200 000 in a UK business opportunity – far less than some other UK investment visas, which require a minimum investment of £2 million. “This will enable an applicant and their family to receive residency and possibly citizenship if all the requirements are met,” explains Kockott.

An investor’s skills and experience are matched with a range of business investment opportunities which will enable the investor to emigrate to the UK with the knowledge that they are financially and legally able to do so.

The requirements are as follows:

• The holder of the permit can live and work in the UK for three years with the option to extend for a further two years (if certain criteria are met). After six years in the UK, the process to become a British citizen can begin.
• The investor should be an active director in the business into which at least £200 000 is invested. Two new jobs should be created as a result of this business.
• The investor should be proficient enough in English to meet the requirements of level 4 of IELTS.
• Spend at least 185 days a year in the UK to qualify for permanent residency.

For investors looking to leave South Africa, this route may be an attractive option. For more information, visit www.sable-group.com