Entrepreneur Visa

We were introduced to Mr D, a Lebanese National, by an immigration lawyer who had explained the various options regarding UK immigration.

Mr D had decided that the “Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa” was the right route for him but he has not at all sure how to go about setting up a company in the UK or who he should approach to do so. Whilst the immigration lawyer had various contacts, he felt the client needed specialist help and approached Knightsbridge Wealth.

We met Mr D and discussed his background, experience and requirements at great length. Whilst his lawyer had provided ‘factual’ information about the options, the advice he had received was not necessarily relevant from a personal, financial planning viewpoint. We discussed the possibilities of the Investor Visa scheme (which he could afford) as well as reviewing in detail the lower threshold needed for the Entrepreneur route.

Mr D had not been aware that the Visa requirements meant he had to evidence genuine entrepreneurial flair in a business and we spent a long time discussing past career and interests to identify possible areas that may be appropriate for Mr D to help build a UK business.

Once we had identified a particular area of interest, linked to the defence industry, we ensured Mr D was aware of the requirements of the scheme and
the need to evidence his involvement in the business. When he confirmed he was happy to provide that, we spoke to three venture capitalists we work with
to identify possible solutions for him, albeit in a niche market like defence that usually requires much more than a £200,000 investment. A firm was identified and Knightsbridge Wealth made introductions to the venture capitalists, a lawyer (to ensure that the business’s interests were aligned with the clients) and an accountant to draw up and supervise an ongoing business plan to make sure that Mr D can properly evidence to the Border Agency that he has met the requirements of the entrepreneur visa scheme.

Rather than focusing only on his immigration needs, Knightsbridge Wealth arranged to open UK bank accounts for Mr D and make sure he brings into the UK the funds he needs to service his lifestyle here in a tax efficient manner.