Can I still buy property in England?
Jun 29th, 2017, 10:36 AM
#1
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Can I still buy property in England?
Hello to all reading this. If anyone in the UK can help me with a little advice. I'm trying to keep this short and simple. I'm an American who has been thinking about buying property in England for quite some time now.
Three years ago I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to England for two months and since then it has forever left an impression on me. Though in the past 3 years, it seems like a lot of things have been changing since leaving. Everyone that I have spoken to about this subject doesn't know that much about what a non EU national should do. I've spent most of my time in Essex and Kent whilst there and have been searching for homes in both regions. London just like any other city, is just too expensive quite honestly would rather invest outside it if I can.
According to my research, it seems to be that to get an investor visa in the UK. I must be a Russian Oligarch with 2 million GBP readily available in a UK bank account...... Yeah, no, not me.
Basically the help I'm looking for is the answer to these questions:
a)Can I obtain a visa if I do purchase any property for less than 300k GBP?
b)Is there other ways for obtaining a visa like investing into a franchise business (McDonalds, fitness gym, food/beverage shop)
c)Is there anything I can do, any other visas I can obtain besides spousal? Or is my timing just wrong and Europe's current situation leaving me.. excuse my french.. S.O.L. ?
Any advice can help. Thank you.
Three years ago I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to England for two months and since then it has forever left an impression on me. Though in the past 3 years, it seems like a lot of things have been changing since leaving. Everyone that I have spoken to about this subject doesn't know that much about what a non EU national should do. I've spent most of my time in Essex and Kent whilst there and have been searching for homes in both regions. London just like any other city, is just too expensive quite honestly would rather invest outside it if I can.
According to my research, it seems to be that to get an investor visa in the UK. I must be a Russian Oligarch with 2 million GBP readily available in a UK bank account...... Yeah, no, not me.
Basically the help I'm looking for is the answer to these questions:
a)Can I obtain a visa if I do purchase any property for less than 300k GBP?
b)Is there other ways for obtaining a visa like investing into a franchise business (McDonalds, fitness gym, food/beverage shop)
c)Is there anything I can do, any other visas I can obtain besides spousal? Or is my timing just wrong and Europe's current situation leaving me.. excuse my french.. S.O.L. ?
Any advice can help. Thank you.
Jun 29th, 2017, 10:52 AM
#2
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Looks like your question is more how to get a visa to live in the UK than how to buy property there.
Can't help you with either (and I'm a US lawyer), but a British solicitor could. so I'd contact a solicitor in the UK if I were you.
Can't help you with either (and I'm a US lawyer), but a British solicitor could. so I'd contact a solicitor in the UK if I were you.
Jun 29th, 2017, 11:24 AM
#3
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Owning property doesn't help you to get a residence visa, I'm afraid.
I think there is an entrepreneur visa if you want to set up a business: https://www.gov.uk/tier-1-entrepreneur I guess that might include a franchise if it meets the crtieria otherwise?
I think there is an entrepreneur visa if you want to set up a business: https://www.gov.uk/tier-1-entrepreneur I guess that might include a franchise if it meets the crtieria otherwise?
Jun 29th, 2017, 11:44 AM
#4
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I thought you only needed 1 million GBP if you want to be a passive investor, not 2 million.
http://www.findukproperty.co.uk/invester-visa.php
Why do you think you get a visa for purchasing property?
http://www.findukproperty.co.uk/invester-visa.php
Why do you think you get a visa for purchasing property?
Jun 29th, 2017, 11:57 AM
#5
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check the British Consulate or Embassy for definitive answer I think -they make the rules and enforce them.
Can't you stay in Britain for six months out of a year on a tourist visa -do you plan to move to Britain permanently?
Can't you stay in Britain for six months out of a year on a tourist visa -do you plan to move to Britain permanently?
Jun 29th, 2017, 12:43 PM
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No, UK won't issue a resident visa for buying a property, unlike some other countries like Spain and Portugal (with conditions). Otherwise there is no restriction on foreigners buying a property in UK and registering, as the number of Arab, Chinese and Russian buyers bear witness. There is no wealth tax.
Other than investor/entrepreneur visa which isn't suitable for normal property buyer, you have to find some other ways of living in UK, such as sponsored work (usually only for official shortage occupations), study or marriage with UK citizen, permanent resident or (until 2019) with EU citizen. UK abolished retirement visa in 2008. You can stay as visitor for up to 6 months, but you aren't supposed to return soon after to continue another 6-month stay. Returning too soon (in less than 6 months) you run the risk of denied entry and next flight home.
Other than investor/entrepreneur visa which isn't suitable for normal property buyer, you have to find some other ways of living in UK, such as sponsored work (usually only for official shortage occupations), study or marriage with UK citizen, permanent resident or (until 2019) with EU citizen. UK abolished retirement visa in 2008. You can stay as visitor for up to 6 months, but you aren't supposed to return soon after to continue another 6-month stay. Returning too soon (in less than 6 months) you run the risk of denied entry and next flight home.
Jun 29th, 2017, 12:45 PM
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The British consulate does not provide such information.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa will guide you through the visa types and how to get one if you qualify.
There is afaik nothing to stop you buying property in the UK, but you won't be able to live there permanently without the appropriate visa/residents permit.
Even if you do settle there if you do not have employment you will need private health care insurance. The NHS is a contribution based service, and getting stricter on checking due to lack of financing.
https://www.gov.uk/apply-uk-visa will guide you through the visa types and how to get one if you qualify.
There is afaik nothing to stop you buying property in the UK, but you won't be able to live there permanently without the appropriate visa/residents permit.
Even if you do settle there if you do not have employment you will need private health care insurance. The NHS is a contribution based service, and getting stricter on checking due to lack of financing.
Jun 29th, 2017, 01:17 PM
#8
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Thank you guys for answering. I think Alec nailed it with my current situation. As an American I can stay in the UK for 6 months and that is a bit challenging. While in England a few years ago, about a month in I bought a ticket to holiday in Greece. Upon returning I was detained by border security for an hour because they thought I was gaming the system.
Each time you enter and leave the UK, IF accepted in. It's a new 6 month visa stay. Apparently at the time then some other Americans and Australians were gaming the system, extending their 6 month stay to 2 years leaving and re-entering. The only way around that is to have a UK visa which in my predicament, seems impossible.
I was hoping that if I buy a flat or home. I could be given some sort of Visa so I can work in the UK but it doesn't seem valid for UK immigration law.
I did come across something with someone saying that if I invest into some sort of business, like an American franchise to be set up in the UK, I might be able to obtain one. Anyone know anything about that?
Each time you enter and leave the UK, IF accepted in. It's a new 6 month visa stay. Apparently at the time then some other Americans and Australians were gaming the system, extending their 6 month stay to 2 years leaving and re-entering. The only way around that is to have a UK visa which in my predicament, seems impossible.
I was hoping that if I buy a flat or home. I could be given some sort of Visa so I can work in the UK but it doesn't seem valid for UK immigration law.
I did come across something with someone saying that if I invest into some sort of business, like an American franchise to be set up in the UK, I might be able to obtain one. Anyone know anything about that?
Jun 29th, 2017, 01:22 PM
#9
People always post "check w/ the consulate/embassy". It is almost a mantra on here. That isn't what Consular/Embassy staff do . . .
As Alec and hetismij2 suggested, you certainly can purchase property. But that will not allow you live there permanently.
As Alec and hetismij2 suggested, you certainly can purchase property. But that will not allow you live there permanently.
Jun 29th, 2017, 01:35 PM
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Read https://www.gov.uk/tier-1-entrepreneur
I may add it's not an easy visa to apply and you will almost always need the help of an experienced immigration lawyer/accountant.
I may add it's not an easy visa to apply and you will almost always need the help of an experienced immigration lawyer/accountant.
Jun 29th, 2017, 10:58 PM
#13
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You could see if you qualify for a passport from and EU country. Some have very relaxed rules about who can get a passport based on parent/grandparents and in some cases even great-grandparents.
Of course there is no guarantee as things stand that you could remain in the UK after 2019 with an EU passport.
As a Briton who has lived abroad for 30 plus years I can't imagine why anyone is so keen to live there but that's a different thing entirely.
Of course there is no guarantee as things stand that you could remain in the UK after 2019 with an EU passport.
As a Briton who has lived abroad for 30 plus years I can't imagine why anyone is so keen to live there but that's a different thing entirely.
Jun 29th, 2017, 11:29 PM
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>>Find a English person to marry? A lot of hoops to get married and live in the UK, but it may be quicker?<<
They're wise to that one, and may well do a fair bit of digging to work out how genuine a marriage it is.
They're wise to that one, and may well do a fair bit of digging to work out how genuine a marriage it is.
Jun 30th, 2017, 03:31 AM
#16
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I'm not keen on marrying a complete stranger. UK women may be foxes as well. But in my experience, even after dating someone for a year you really don't know them 100% like you think you do.
HOWEVER, if I find a Catherine Zeta Jones doppelgänger.. I'll be open to it.
HOWEVER, if I find a Catherine Zeta Jones doppelgänger.. I'll be open to it.
Jun 30th, 2017, 04:04 AM
#17
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Catherine Zeta Jones doppelgänger? It is said her daughter is.
or how about any of these?
http://www.splitting-images.com/zeta_jones.html
http://lookalikes.co.uk/celebrity-lo...nes-lookalike/
or how about any of these?
http://www.splitting-images.com/zeta_jones.html
http://lookalikes.co.uk/celebrity-lo...nes-lookalike/
Jun 30th, 2017, 04:45 AM
#20
"They're wise to that one, and may well do a fair bit of digging to work out how genuine a marriage it is."
So when you are interviewed speak over each other. Roll your eyes. Shake your head. Yawn.
So when you are interviewed speak over each other. Roll your eyes. Shake your head. Yawn.
