uk citizen ship through money instead of marriage?

My lawyer here in the states has informed me that all I would have to do is transfer some of my funds into the uk the amount in question I believe he said was 1,000,000 dollars. The u.k.  government would grant working visa and path to citizenship base on the fact that 1,000,000 would be allocated for business at a later point. Has anyone heard of this ?

I don't think it's simply the case that "all you have to do" is transfer 1 million dollars into the UK. Very far from it, if you read this page...

http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/infs/inf10setupbusiness

Actually, I think better than that :-

• Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), or
• Tier 1 (Investor)
  

So you need to get 75 points to get a Tier 1 visa, but whilst most Tier 1 applicants are applying under the Tier 1 (General) route, using their qualifications and earnings etc, under the Entrepreneur or Investor routes, you need money!

On the Entrepreneur route, put at least £200,000 into a UK bank, and show that it is "disposable" ... not tied up in any way ..... and you get 75 points!

But just to clarify further, just because you get here on a visa doesn't mean you become a citizen right away, you need to be here for a while, currently its about 6 years- 5 years for the tier 1 visa and 1 more year on ILR. (Less time though if you're marrying a British spouse) But it may change by the time your 6 years is up. 

Well the money part is not an issue, well not with the amount that they require.  My problem is  that I have business as well in the states and elderly family members, does one have to stay in the u.k. for 6 years straight before applying for citizenship?

Well the money part is not an issue, well not with the amount that they require.  My problem is  that I have business as well in the states and elderly family members, does one have to stay in the u.k. for 6 years straight before applying for citizenship?

No you can leave for holidays and visits and things. I think there is a maximum amount of time you can stay outside of the UK though. 

A million dollars isn't an issue?      Wow!  I wish I could say the same.   

HSBC will lend you up to 80% of the money

http://www.hsbcprivatebank.com/services/immigration-criteria.html

I have always thought this scheme was dodgy and asked for a reading on it in 2006.  It got a clean bill of health, but I still think it's dodgy as all-hell. 

It is dodgy.  My understanding under the old scheme was that the money could not be in the form of a loan, but evidently HSBC found a loophole.


Vicky

A million dollars isn't an issue?      Wow!  I wish I could say the same.   

I use to work on wall street and shall we say I know my stuff, plus I've been fortunate enough to open several business that have been high profit margin.  Its nothing really all you need is a bit of seed money and really understand your limitation and your potential market, anyone can do it

It is dodgy.  My understanding under the old scheme was that the money could not be in the form of a loan, but evidently HSBC found a loophole.


Vicky

I believe the U.K. and other countries who allow investor visa etc.. basicaly follow the same guide line. If you can get that much cash in hand, than you have a great deal of potential.  Lets face it if you are a dirt farmer from India, whose going to even lend you that much money?   I don't think the average western person could even get a loan for that amount we are talking about. I would assume that the U.K government would make sure that amount stayed in the bank for a good period of time and not just see it disappear overnight once you get to the uk.  I  see no problem in it, I'm sure that not many people would qualify for that type of loan and furthermore how many of us are that desperate to go there that we have to get a million dollar loan?

I  see no problem in it, I'm sure that not many people would qualify for that type of loan and furthermore how many of us are that desperate to go there that we have to get a million dollar loan?

I didn't think it was a million dollar loan, I thought it was for the £160,000 (80% of the £200,000) needed. Or am I missing something?  In that case, I still think its a dodgy scheme!

There are two different schemes here (before the Tier system)...one was a passive investor, one was an active investor.  Neither permit the money to be in the form of a £100 per cent bank loan.

I think your 'lawyer' needs to brush up on his UK immigration law.  Or, failing that, you should instruct a UK lawyer to deal with this.  None of this is as easy as your lawyer makes it sound.

Vicky

I use to work on wall street and shall we say I know my stuff

What, like those whiz kids at Lehman Brothers?

There are two different schemes here (before the Tier system)...one was a passive investor, one was an active investor.  Neither permit the money to be in the form of a £100 per cent bank loan.

I think your 'lawyer' needs to brush up on his UK immigration law.  Or, failing that, you should instruct a UK lawyer to deal with this.  None of this is as easy as your lawyer makes it sound.

Vicky

As I mentioned  no one is going to give you that sort of money unless you have some major assets, as security.  If you had that much money tied up in property, business etc... to be able to qualify for a loan of that nature that 100% loan really isn't going to be an issue.  When HK fell to China, many chinese people came to the u.k. and the west and they borrowed large sums of money against assets that   they had or were in the process of disposing to raise capital.