Corporate Immigration in the United Kingdom

Over the last few years, it has been observed that corporate immigration to the UK is increasingly becoming more complex and difficult. The immigration into the UK has been on a constant increase and the British government feels the political need to put a cap on this high immigration number. However, there has been a constant proclamation from the government that the UK immigration policies have business promotion and economic growth as the objective of its various policies. According to these policies, the government claims that it invites specific kinds of immigrants who are good for the economic growth of the UK and are needed by the region. Also these immigrants would be able to provide skilled workforce input to the UK companies and invest in the economy. This portrays a mixed image but on the whole corporate immigration despite of the newly introduced restrictions shows a healthy trend with minimum abuse of the system. The points based system regulates the corporate immigration and says:

Tier 1 Investor Visa aimed at high net worth people, wanting to invest in UK businesses

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa aimed at individuals wanting to start and run a new business in the UK 

Tier 2 Work Permit Visa aimed at skilled and highly-qualified workers, having sponsorship by UK 

employer 

Tier 2 Work Permit Migrants who have sponsorship by a UK company holding a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence

Also, in addition there is another corporate immigration rule which is the “Sole representative of an Overseas Business Visa’, which is not a part of the points based system. In this scheme an oversees company’s senior employee can enter the UK. He can come in and set up the branch of the company in the UK and make the company operational.

3 benefits of an Immigration employment culture

Immigrants prove to be a good pool of labour whether it is for a small business or an already established name. They come to UK for various reasons like uniting with the family, study or even for employment opportunities and further growth prospects.

Hiring immigrants can prove to be tough and lengthy task but has its own advantages which make it a good and viable proposition for many businesses:

Easy and reduced labour costs:

A major advantage of hiring immigrants is that you may be able to lower your labour costs. One of he major reasons immigrants come to UK is in the search of netter employment opportunities and a higher standard of living, available in their native countries. As a result, they may be willing to work for a lower wage than people who were born and raised in the UK. Already the healthcare professionals from European and other nations provide a great example of the case, strengthening the NHS simultaneously.

Workforce Diversity:

Hiring immigrants can help you diversify your workforce. In a time when hiring practices are closely scrutinized, hiring immigrants can help keep your business on the right side of anti-discrimination laws. By diversifying your workforce, you may also gain broader perspective and knowledge supplied by people from different cultures.

Business Expansion:

If you're looking to expand your business into a foreign market or an immigrant culture in the United States, hiring immigrants can be of great value from a marketing standpoint.

An immigrant from an African nation would be a better candidate to hire for the company if planning to target the African audience. 

Bring about a turning point in your visa process with professional consultancy

You have the urgency to immigrate to the foreign country. You know it very well that you cannot immigrate without having a valid Visa of a particular country. Under all circumstances, you need to be sure that Visa is your first valid document that you need to have in your possession, before you make the move. If you have thought of moving to the country like UK, where Visa is offered on the point based system, you will need the services of Immigration solicitor. There is absolutely no choice that you have in your list. The expert Immigration solicitor will look through various aspects and these aspects largely include:

• Your need to immigrate to the country of selection

• Your documentation

• Your qualifications

• Your Visa requirements

By any means, Immigration is not a one time and simple process, and you know it. Hurdles can come up just anytime and anywhere. Even a small glitch in your Immigration file can turn your case upside down and all you will end up be doing – bumping into the file. A professional, experienced Immigration solicitor is your friend in true sense. He will do all the work on your behalf. He will make sure that your Immigration case is followed in the right direction and in right sense of attitude. Always keep in your mind that you need the Visa for a purpose. You are moving to another country and not playing any child games or whatever you want to call it. 

Investing in Business and Immigrating to Britain

UK Immigration Experts

As per the immigration laws in the United Kingdom, the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa category is for business people who want to set up a business in the country. The visa is also needed for someone who wants to partake in, or invest further into a current business in the UK.

Post-Brexit the rules for EU citizens are yet to be materialised, but the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa is applicable for all non-EU citizens. To come to the UK as an investor you therefore need to make an investment of at least £200,000. The visa fee is additional and it must be applied for at least 3 months before travelling.

If the amount you plan to invest is significantly above the minimum limit of £200,000 the UK Home Office can be less stringent with regards to other rules concerning this business visa. This means that your application can then be processed more quickly. You may also consult UK immigration experts for further details on this provision.

The basic requirements to run your own business as investor.

The set of requirements to apply for the Tier 1 visa include:

• Invest £200,000 in a new business in the UK.
• Offer full-time employment to at least 2 EEA nationals.
• Work only for the business that you have invested in.
• Have ample funds to live and maintain your own self in the United Kingdom until the business becomes profit generating or cost-effective.
• Have a controlling interest in the business.
• Own a share of the business’s liabilities.
• Execute business plans that seem logical and realistic.

In addition, do not undermine the fact that while investing money in the UK, it must be your own and not a loan from any financial institution.

Moving to the UK By Making Business Investments

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa category in the United Kingdom is for business people who wish to establish an enterprise in the country. It is also needed by someone who wants to be a part of, or invest into an existing business. 

The visa rules for members of European Union have not been formalised yet as Brexit will officially happen by 2017. However if you are coming to the UK as an investor from non-EU country, you need to make an investment of at least £200,000.  In case your investment is significantly more than the minimum limit of £200,000 the Home Office can be less stringent with regards to other requirements of the rules. The application is then processed more quickly.

• Qualifications to run your own business 
• Invest £200,000 in a new business in the UK.
• Provide full-time employment to at least 2 EEA nationals.
• Work solely for your business.
• Have adequate funds to reside in maintain yourself in the UK until the
• Have a controlling interest in the business.
• Own a share of the business’s liabilities.
• Implement business plans that seem methodical and practical.

Furthermore, remember that while investing money in the UK, it must be your own capital and not a loan from any financial institution in UK or your own country. 

Setting up a Business in the UK

Corporate Immigration Services

For people who come to the UK to get engaged in commercial activities, the government offers a Tier 1 entrepreneur visa. Procuring this visa, you can set up a new business or take over a operating enterprise.

The UK immigration authorities will ask you to prove that your intentions for business are genuine. To affirm this, you will have to provide adequate evidence of market research and your full business plans. It is advisable to consult lawyers offering corporate immigration services to guide you in gathering the right documentation to show that you do meet the official requirements.

In addition to proving your technical understanding to the business you are setting up, you also have to authenticate that you have ample funds for continual commercial activity. There should be at least £200,000 available. Alternatively, you can show that your funds are from a venture capitalist firm regulated by the Financial Services Authority - then a minimum amount of only £50,000 will be needed.

To further satisfy the requirements of entrepreneur visa in UK, you need to demonstrate that aside from the amount to be invested in business, you also have access to enough funds to support yourself and that you are in tune with the English language standards of the country. One of the ways to prove your aptitude in the national language of UK is to clear an approved English language test with at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The other is to have an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIC as being equal to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD. 

David Cameron Quits as Britain Votes for Brexit on 23 June 2016

Tier 1 entrepreneur visa

The long wait has finally come to an end. Britain has made its decision and it has voted to move out of the European Union after more than 22 years of membership. The results were subject to speculations till the last hour and in the end the Brexit camp won by a thin margin. While 48.1% voted in favour of Bremain (stay in the EU), it was 51.9% who voted for Brexit.

And while the markets and the citizenship status of many Europeans settled in the UK get engulfed in uncertainties, one of the major repercussions is the resignation of David Cameron.

The Prime Minister of Britain announced his resignation minutes after the leave supporters emerged victorious in the divisive referendum campaign. Just about a year after he won in the general election, a noticeably emotional Mr. Cameron, standing outside Number 10 on 24 June morning said “The will of the British people is an instruction that must be delivered.”

David Cameron had vigorously campaigned in the divisive referendum on Britain’s relationship with the European Union. He had appeared at several public events throughout the country to attest that Brexit would be an act of “economic self-harm”. But the electorate used this poll to reject the status quo.

As he announced his intention to step down, Mr. Cameron highlighted the major achievements of his tenure as the Prime Minister. These included rebuilding the British economy after the financial crisis; and legalising gay marriages.

How things turn out to be from here remains to be seen. Will the citizens nationals from EU countries now need to apply for Tier 1 entrepreneurvisa when they come to UK for work? How will it affect their current work status?