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Ray Leary
There is a myth that it is more difficult to achieve permanent residency or citizenship in the UK than other country offering residence and citizenship programmes. This myth has been touted by migration companies who provide none of the UK programmes and/or don’t understand the benefits of family settlement in the UK.
The United Kingdom is among the top five countries of destination for economic migrants and is seen by many as one of best countries of the world for personal security, jobs, earnings, and a desirable standard of living. Its incredible quality of life and multicultural cities make it one of the most attractive destinations for professionals seeking a better life for themselves and their families.
The UK has become a hot-spot destination among many highly skilled individuals and entrepreneurs from India. Every year, people in high numbers are migrating to the UK for investment, work, and study purposes. The country offers promising opportunities in terms of job, lifestyle, pollution-free environment, safety, and more. It is home to some of the world’s top education institutions such as Cambridge and Oxford Universities. Once you become a legal resident in the UK, through investing in the country, you can have access to the national health service and free healthcare for you and your family and
What Migration Status Do You Want?
The United Kingdom offers various options to eligible international migrants. However, it is important that applicants have a clear understanding of their needs and objectives for their family and themselves, and can recognize why they are seeking permanent residency in the UK.
Some of the most popular visa schemes that are used by individuals from India and other countries to migrate to UK are:
• Migrating with a prior job offer
• Migrating as an entrepreneur with a business idea
• Migrating as an investor
In order to apply under one of the existing UK visa schemes, eligibility is mainly determined on the UK Tier Points-based System. The points-based system assesses the eligibility of the applicant against various relevant factors to apply for UK work, study, and business visas.
UK Visa System Options
The Skilled Worker Visa
The Skilled Worker visa programme is the main visa route for highly skilled individuals coming to the UK to take up employment. The programme operates as a points-based work visa and is already one of the most popular UK visa routes and is set to become even more so in the next few years.
According to official data published by the Office for National Statistics there were 172,045 work-related visas granted between 2020-2021, a 19 per cent increase over the previous year.
The programme is open to individuals of all nationalities who have an offer of an eligible skilled job in the United Kingdom. A Skilled Worker visa is granted to applicants who receive a confirmed, appropriate job offer to work in the UK. After five years this route can lead to settlement and permanent residency in the UK, for individuals, their partners, and children under eighteen.
In order to apply for this visa, applicants must pass the English-language test and have a genuine job offer from a UK employer who holds a valid Skilled Worker sponsorship licence that has been approved by the UK Home Office. This programme targets talented foreign nationals who have the necessary skills to support the UK market in specialist, in-demand job occupations and must be paid a minimum salary (set by the UK Government) dependent on the type of work they do.
These specialist jobs are listed on the Shortage Occupations List produced by the UK government. Each has an Occupation Code to determine its eligibility for the Skilled Worker route and identify the relevant salary threshold for each job.
Some of the most popular job sectors for the Skilled Worker Visa are:
• Banking and Financial Services
• Media, Digital and Design
• Marketing and Digital Marketing
• Business Development and Services
• Science and Medicine
• Technology and Communications
• Programming
• Financial Technology
• Health Technology
• Education Technology
• Engineering and Construction
• Logistics and Distribution
Despite the many restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, the UK is currently experiencing a record-high number of job vacancies and is set to see the biggest hiring surge in nearly a decade. In November 2021, the number of job vacancies in the UK showed a new record high of 1,219,000, increasing by over 434,500 from its pre-coronavirus level.
According to Hays, which reports annually on recruitment across the UK, the country is set to see the highest recruitment in eight years and that up to 88 per cent of employers are planning to hire over the next twelve months, with a huge drive focused on filling the UK skill gap. The data indicates that whilst the number of UK job vacancies is increasing, the availability of suitable skilled applicants in the UK is diminishing. Therefore, it is more evident than ever that the UK must be sourcing top talent from overseas and the UK Skilled Worker visa will play a big part in sourcing the best talent abroad.
The Innovator Visa
The UK Innovator Visa is a route for foreign entrepreneurs looking to establish a business in the UK. This has to be a new business idea. Though the idea is that the business will not already exist, where it does, the new business should not yet have fully started trading.
The Innovator visa category is suitable for experienced entrepreneurs who are looking to set up a new business which is innovative, viable and scalable. This may involve development of new products or services that do not currently exist, or introducing a more effective methodology capable of solving existing problems in the market and bringing better changes in all sectors.
An applicant must invest a minimum of £50,000 into their business and spend their time developing their company across the visa period. Approved applicants under the UK Innovator visa route will be granted a visa for a period of three years, after which they can apply for permanent residency in the UK for themselves and their family. An Innovator visa applicant will need to prove they meet a B2 level of English, as set out by the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFR). Applicants will not need to fulfil any English-language requirements if they hold a degree or higher qualification taught in English which is recognized by the UK NARIC (university degree). Additionally, applicants can be either working on their own as a sole founder or working together with other applicants as part of an entrepreneurial team. After five years the applicant can generally apply for citizenship in the UK for themselves and their family.
The Innovator visa programme was established in 2019 and has been hugely successful with overseas entrepreneurs. Statistics show that the UK Home Office has issued over 3687 endorsements and granted over 1904 permanent residency (ILR) applications.
UK Tier 1 Investor Visa Bond
This is a unique product available only to the UK investment market through Fresh Start UK and is considered a safe haven for investment.
The Investor Visa Bond is a unique, fully capital protected, customized investment bond for investors seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residency) in the UK, through the Tier 1 Investor visa route. This structured corporate bond reduces investment risk considerably by incorporating full capital protection into the invested sum. Each bond design is unique – considering the market conditions at the time of design.
Though investment levels are between £2m and £10m, the level of risk is considerably reduced for the client as the investment is put into a structured design with full capital protection from a leading and global UK FCA/PRA-regulated bank.
This exclusive bond provides competitive returns backed by qualifying UK shares listed on the FTSE100 and multiple opportunities for capital growth. Each bond is developed by experienced investment industry professionals and based on market research and economic analysis, providing enhanced returns concomitant risk. The continuous monitoring of clients’ qualifying investments ensures UK visa compliance for the investor and their family.
None-Visa Investments
The UK has a wide range of companies looking for foreign direct investment. With a reputation as one of the most open economies in the world and a country that continuous to have a stable business and political environment, the UK is seen as an attractive destination for foreign entrepreneurs.
Given its reputation as a world leader in innovation, with a highly skilled workforce with a competitive tax system, many entrepreneurs look to the UK for investment opportunities. There are many businesses looking for an investment partner, particularly in technology sectors, health, media and entertainment, telecommunications, biotechnology, and green energy.
The market for financial investment is growing. A recent study ranks the UK as the world’s fifth most attractive destination for investment activity; fintech attracts significant investment and renewable energy is a potential source of FDI growth.
A low interest rate and the weakened pound sterling helped the UK remain attractive to foreign investors last year even with Brexit uncertainties, according to a report by the Business School, University of London.
Benefits of Migrating to the UK
Skilled and qualified professionals from India as well as from other countries consider the UK as one of the world’s best destinations to migrate and settle permanently. Its high standards of living and cultural integrity make it the most sought-after destinations for individuals seeking quality life for themselves and dependents. The UK retains its strong economic growth due to its deep involvement in global export and import through established industries and world-renowned academic institutions.
Some of the major benefits of settling in UK are:
• Great demand of skilled and qualified workers to contribute towards economy
• Strong economy with established industries
• Already existing South Asian community with considerable number of successful Indians
• High-quality and free healthcare services via the NHS (after permanent residency status)
• World-renowned educational system and home to some of the world’s best universities
• Strong passport that facilitates travel across the globe
• The UK is both safe and attractive, as a business location and as a place for private residence
• The British pound is considered a ‘safe haven’ currency
• Direct international flight connections to all major cities in the world
UK and India Sign Ground-Breaking Partnership Migration Deal
In May 2021, the governments of the UK and India signed a new landmark migration agreement, The historic agreement, New Plan for Immigration, is aimed at attracting the best and brightest, and supporting people coming to the UK from India. It is a first-of-its-kind agreement between the two countries and will provide enhanced mobility provisions for young professional Indian and British citizens.
This landmark agreement will provide new opportunities to thousands of young people in the UK and India seeking to live, work and experience each other’s cultures. Professional Indian nationals feature strongly in the UK’s new points-based immigration system, which encourages the best and brightest to come to the UK based on their skills and talent.
Choosing the Right Migration Partner to Ensure a Successful Visa Application to the UK
Choosing the right migration agent to represent your visa application to the UK can be a very daunting process. You will have to pay fees, often thousands of pounds, for their services so it is absolutely essential that you pick the right migration agent. But with hundreds of migration agents out there allegedly promoting their UK services how do you know you are making the right decision?
Here are our top tips to ensure you are hiring the right migration agent from the start:
1. Look for a Migration Agent with Experience: Inexperienced migration agents are often much cheaper than experienced ones. However, you may be putting your visa application at great risk by going with the cheaper option. The UK immigration system is reasonably simple for those that have experience in navigating it. So do not be shy when it comes to asking a migration agent how many years of experience they have.
2. Meet the Agent Face-to-Face in a Consultation: The best way to get to know a migration agent is to meet them and ask them any questions you may have about their service. If you are living offshore or are restricted due to the pandemic, try to arrange a Zoom call or phone consultation.
3. Ask What Their Success Rate Is: Although agents cannot guarantee the success of a visa application, you can generally tell how good a migration agent is by their success rate. Additionally, be wary of migration agents who are willing to take on any and every case they come across. Honest migration agents will only take on cases they truly believe in and not give clients false hope by submitting an application that has a high chance of refusal.
4. Ask for a Detailed Proposal: Contact reputable migration agents and ask for a detailed proposal in writing. This will outline the full cost of your visa and detail the level of service you will receive. It is important to remember that the cheapest service may not always be the best.
5. Check What Other Clients Have to Say about Them: Ask for testimonials, case study information and, if possible, speak with existing clients.
6. Ask Leading Questions and Request Detailed Answers: It is important to ask the migration agent the right questions. For example:
• How will they support you for your permanent residency application in 3/5 years’ time?
• Do they offer any refunds if they are unsuccessful in your application?
• How will they support you and your family when you arrive in the UK?
• Do they commit to time scales for your application?
• What is their payment structure? Do they offer stage payments?
• How many successful UK visas have they successfully completed in the last 12 months?
Fresh Start UK
Fresh Start UK is a UK-based investment and migration specialist. We are experts on the UK innovation and investment market. We have over eleven years of experience in supporting foreign investments in the UK. Our success is based on providing end-to-end services, from application to permanent residency for our clients and their families. We do not provide residency programmes outside the UK.
Fresh Start UK specializes in supporting foreign entrepreneurs and their families who wish to settle in the UK. We provide a complete service, from initial application through to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application and beyond.
We specialize in the following UK visa services:
1. Skilled Worker Visa
2. Skilled Worker Visa with Investment
3. Innovator Visa
4. Tier 1 Investment Bond
For those considering moving to the UK through either investment or employment, please contact us. We will be happy to have an informal discussion to advise on your opportunities in the UK.
About the Author
Ray Leary is the CEO of Fresh Start UK and Fresh Business Services. He is a member of the Investment Migration Council and an expert on the UK investment visa market for over eleven years. Ray regularly presents at migration conferences in the Middle East, China, and UK. Contact Ray directly at ray@freshstart.org.uk
