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UK Opens Arms to the Wealthy

January 19, 2011 in Expat Locations, Immigration, Living in Britain by Paul Allen | No comments

As ever, money talks. The UK government may be trying to curb overall levels of immigration into the country, but for those with the cash the doors are opening wider.

At the tail end of 2010 the government’s Home Secretary announced new limits on various components of its points-based immigration system, making it harder for non-EU citizens to enter the country. The changes will take effect from April 2011.

However, it also emerged the Tier 1 Investor and Entrepreneur categories would be made more attractive to applicants. In addition, a new Tier 1 category, Persons of Exceptional Talent, will be introduced for internationally recognised people.  

No details of the changes to the Investor category were released at the time of the announcement. However, it appears one aspect will be to reduce the time it takes for a qualifying person to be granted residency.

Investor criteria

The Investors category is designed for those who intend to make a substantial investment in the UK[1]. To be eligible, applicants need:

a)      A minimum of £1 million of your own money in a regulated financial institution that you can dispose of in the United Kingdom, or

b)      Personal assets of more than £2 million, and a £1 million loan from a financial institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Successful applicants receive a three year visa initially, which can be extended for a further two years. Partners and dependent children are also covered by the visa, and are free to work/attend school. After five years visa holders can then apply for permanent residency.

Residency fast-track

Under the upcoming changes, though, it appears there will be a new fast track to residency for the wealthiest. The qualifying periods look like being:

  • 5 years for those investing £1m-£5m
  • 3 years when investing £5m-£10m
  • 2 years when the investment is £10+m

 

When you’re rich, the world really is your oyster.

[1] See the UK Border Agency website for more details, http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier1/investor/

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Tax Threat to UK’s Global Competitiveness

October 15, 2010 in International Cost of Living, Living in Britain, Working Abroad by Paul Allen | No comments

A new report published by the City of London Corporation[1] suggests the lack of tax predictability in the UK is now “out of control,” and is threatening the country’s position as a leading global financial centre.

The report polled members of the banking, insurance, asset management, hedge fund and private equity communities on six factors: predictability, overall tax burden, attitude of tax authorities, network of tax treaties, complexity and cost of compliance.

Every respondent gave the UK a poor rating on predictability. It is the area where the UK fared worst compared to other countries, but which the report says is the most important factor in judging competitiveness.

The authors said surprise changes such as the introduction of the bank payroll tax and bank levy, and the increase to 50% in the top rate of income tax were creating uncertainty and changing the financial services industry’s perception of the UK. In addition, the new rates and measures meant “the UK is now seen as a high tax jurisdiction not dissimilar to continental countries.”

However, despite fears that changes to the UK’s regime would lead to an exodus of financial institutions and people to more favourable tax jurisdictions, such as Switzerland, Singapore and Hong Kong, that has not materialised in practice, at least thus far. Instead, for the time being London remains a key financial hub, attracting international investment, as well as expatriate and domestic workers.

Holding on to its position in the world as an attractive place to live and do business is the UK’s challenge going forwards. Relying on its weather as a source of appeal certainly won’t do the job!

[1] Taxation of the Financial Services Sector in the UK: Predictability and Competitiveness, prepared by Charles River Associates for the City of London Corporation, October 2010, http://217.154.230.218/NR/rdonlyres/E3CEF4F7-479B-46B4-AB93-29DF5F673B53/0/TaxationofFinancialServices.pdf

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Swiss Watch

July 9, 2010 in Expat Locations by Paul Allen | No comments

Alan Howard, founder of leading hedge fund Brevan Howard Asset Management, has joined the expat ranks.

Recent reports say Howard, who is swapping London for Geneva, is among a number of financial luminaries to have left the UK. And there are fears many more will follow, driven by concerns about rising tax rates, a less attractive business environment, and quality of life issues.

Certainly Geneva has its attractions. Low tax is an obvious one, especially for those wealthy City types. For example, alternative investment managers (i.e. those at hedge and private equity funds) can obtain a special tax status that enables them to discount chunks of their taxable income. Indeed, Switzerland as a whole offers many tax advantages.

Then there are the lifestyle benefits – the proximity of world-class ski resorts, sailing on the country’s many lakes, the beautiful scenery, its excellent environmental record, high quality health and education systems, etc, etc.

And that is backed up by Mercer’s 2010 Quality of Living survey, which put Geneva third in its global rankings, one place behind Zurich[1].

The flipside is that Geneva also ranks as one of the most expensive cities in the world, coming in fifth in Mercer’s recently released Cost of Living survey[2].

With a reported fortune of £875 million that won’t faze Alan Howard. Still, it might give the rest of us pause for thought.

[1] Mercer 2010 Quality of Living survey, 26 May 2010 http://www.mercer.com/qualityofliving

[2] Mercer Worldwide Cost of Living survey 2010 – City rankings, 29 June 2010, http://www.mercer.com/costoflivingpr#City_rankings

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