Guernsey Investor Visa | A Complete Guide
Visa Profile:
The Guernsey Investor Visa requires applicants to deposit £1 million into a Guernsey bank.
After depositing the full £1 million into a Guernsey bank managed by the GFSC, you have the option to withdraw £750,000 and use it for one of the following two purposes:
1. Purchasing or leasing additional property in Guernsey, separate from your primary residence.
2. Investing in a Guernsey business. If you choose this option, your business plan must receive approval from the Guernsey government.
Beyond these financial requirements, applicants for the Guernsey Investor Visa must also meet basic conditions, such as being at least 18 years old and having no criminal record.
Additionally, this program mandates that applicants establish Guernsey as their primary residence. Therefore, a significant hidden cost associated with this visa, beyond the £1 million deposit, is the expense of purchasing or renting a home on the island.
Guernsey categorizes its available properties into two markets: Open Market and Local Market. Foreign nationals are only permitted to purchase homes listed on the Open Market, and as you might expect, properties on the Open Market tend to be more expensive.
Application Process:
The application process for the Guernsey Investor Visa comprises the following distinct stages:
Step 1: Application Submission
Applicants are required to compile all requisite documentation and submit their application via postal service to the Guernsey Immigration Department. It is imperative to note that current legal frameworks prohibit individuals from entering Guernsey on a tourist visa with the intent to subsequently apply for an investment visa from within the jurisdiction.
The standard processing period for the visa application typically spans approximately two to six weeks. Upon successful adjudication, the applicant will initially be granted a two-year Investor Visa, with the investment requirement to be fulfilled subsequent to visa issuance.
Phase 2: Investment Completion and Residency Commencement
Subsequent to visa acquisition, applicants are authorized to enter Guernsey. Upon arrival, it is mandatory to register with the Border Agency within seven days. Furthermore, within ninety days of entry into Guernsey, the applicant must effectuate the transfer of the £1 million investment into a Guernsey-based financial institution.
For applicants whose long-term objective includes the attainment of permanent residency or other definitive immigration statuses, it becomes a requirement, commencing from this point, to reside in Guernsey for a minimum of nine months per annum.
Dependents:
With the Guernsey Investor Visa, the main applicant’s spouse and children under 18 can also settle in Guernsey as dependents.
Visa Validity:
Guernsey Investor Visa is initially valid for two years. After this period, provided the investment is maintained, the visa can be renewed for an additional three years.
Holders of the Guernsey Investor Visa who are between 18 and 65 years old become eligible to apply for Guernsey Permanent Residency (Indefinite Leave to Remain – ILR) after legally residing on the island for five years and continuing to maintain their company.
Individuals outside this age range (under 18 or over 65) can directly obtain Guernsey Permanent Residency as dependents, accompanying the main applicant.
After holding ILR for one more year, and provided you haven’t been outside the UK for more than 450 days in the past five years and no more than 90 days in the past year, you’ll be eligible to apply for British citizenship. This also requires passing a language test and a citizenship test covering general knowledge about the UK and Guernsey.