TNAG-1849-FCO40-2624-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 112

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.

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Persons of independent means

10.

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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

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

(such 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.

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

the those coming for employment but

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 to applicants with recognised professional

qualifications; administrative and executive staff; highly qualified

While we would not wish to encourage highly

technicians; and some others.

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