New criteria for Investors, Entrepreneurs and Exceptionally Talented Migrants

A series of wide ranging changes in these visa categories have been published today by the UK Border Agency, due to be implemented from April.

For instance, the required period for Investors to secure UK settlement is reduced from the normal 5 years to 3 years for those investing £5m and down to 2 years for those investing £10m.

Major changes have also been announced to the Entrepreneur category allowing applicants to apply with lower levels of funding where they are backed by a government department or venture capitalist.

A new route for migrants of Exceptional Talent has also been launched where the migrant

“Receives the backing of a designated Competent Body, which is expert in their field”

The role of the Competent Body will be to vouch to the UK Border Agency that in their opinion the migrant is exceptionally talented.

The list of such designated Competent Bodies has yet to be released, which will make interesting reading !

These are interesting changes designed to attract skilled migrants and those with capital.

For full details, please see;

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/march/39-entrepreneurs-investors

and visit our website;

http://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/united_kingdom_uk.htm