8.
UK diplomatic posts in overseas countries will issue an entry clearance
to such a person if he can demonstrate, inter alia, that he intends to invest
a minimum sum (currently £150,000) and that his investment will create two or
more jobs in the UK. He would initially be admitted for one year and could
re-enter the UK freely during this time.
9.
At the end of the initial year he could apply for an extension of stay.
He would need to demonstrate at this stage that he had begun to establish a successful business as envisaged in the entry clearance application. The normal practice is for an extension to be granted for 3 years. Again, the
businessman concerned and of course his family would be free to leave and
re-enter the UK as often as he wished during this period.
Persons of independent means
10.
A person who has a close connection with the UK may also seek entry
clearance as a person of independent means. He could expect to be admitted
for an initial period of 4 years, with a prohibition on taking employment,
provided he could show that he had, under his control and disposable in the
UK,
a sum currently fixed at a minimum of £150,000 or an income of not less
than £15,000 per year. An applicant who did not have a close connection
(sich as relatives settled here or periods of previous residence) could
nevertheless be admitted under the Immigration Rules if he could show that
his admission would be in the general interests of the UK.
Persons coming for employment
11. There are no limits on the numbers of businessmen and persons of
independent means who can be admitted to the UK provided they qualify under
the Immigration Rules. In order to protect the resident labour market, it is
necessary to limit the numbers of those coming for employment but the
Department of Employment, which administers the work permit scheme, will generally issue a permit where the employer can show that a vacancy requires
a high level of skill and experience and that there is no resident or
European Community labour available to fill it. The Department of Employment
is prepared to issue permits
qualifications; administrative
technicians; and some others.
to applicants with recognised professional
and executive staff; highly qualified
While we would not wish to encourage highly
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