
商業移民(創新者簽證)和(創業者簽證)
商業移民(創新者簽證)和(創業者簽證)
馬恩島有兩種自己的商業移民簽證,一種適合那些有商業經驗的人(創新者簽證),另一種適合那些欲在馬恩島首次創業的人(創業者簽證)。
和英國本土類似的創新者簽證和創業者簽證相比,將生意地點選擇在馬恩島的商業移民無疑具有更多的優勢。同時,馬恩島是一個自然環境和經商環境都十分優質的地區,生活質量上乘,尤其方便和英國本土市場做生意。
和英國的創新者及創業者簽證不同的是,馬恩島商業移民簽證不用獲得政府認可的諸如大學或科技孵化中心等擔保機構來擔保他們的商業計劃。馬恩島只有一個擔保機構,那就是馬恩島商務部。商務部負責吸引投資及商業移民到馬恩島來。
過去流行的第一層級企業家移民簽證在英國及馬恩島都已對新申請者關閉。因此,馬恩島商業移民簽證就成為想移民英國地區的商業人士及就業崗位創造者的重要首選。
創新者簽證
創新者簽證適用於已有生意的商業人士,需在馬恩島至少投資五萬英鎊並創造若干就業崗位。可以直接申請創新者簽證,也可以從創業者簽證轉簽。這一簽證是獲得英國永居權的快捷路徑,三年後即可獲得英國和馬恩島的永久居留權。
獲取居留權五年後,或者和英國公民結婚或和英國公民有法定伴侶關係三年後,就有可能申請入籍或成為英國公民。
創業者簽證
對於較少商業經驗及沒有投資款的申請人來說,可以從入門級的創業者簽證開始。不過,這類簽證不導向永居,它允許申請人用兩年的時間在馬恩島創建新的生意或開始新的業務。接下來可以轉換為三年期的創新者簽證,然後再申請永居。
商業移民簽證的申請從2020年4月6日才剛剛開始,商務部尚未公布申請所需的被認可的擔保機構名單,請聯絡金利律師行以獲取更多信息。
Common Questions
How good does my English need to be?
You will need to demonstrate your English level in a way prescribed under the Immigration Rules, for instance by passing an IELTS for UKVI SELT test at CEFR level B2 across all four subjects.
How innovative does my business idea need to be?
The idea does not need to be "innovative" in the sense of a technology project or being a completely new idea, no element of which has been tried previously. Instead, the business idea must simply be a genuine, original business idea that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage.
Can I bring my family?
Yes, this category allows a spouse or partner and minor children to move with the main applicant, and they can work, subject to work permits and conditions set out in the Immigration Rules. Older children may need to be considered as a separate case: Kinley Legal can advise on this.
Can I live in the UK on this visa?
This route is designed for people who will spend the majority of their working time managing and developing their business day to day in the Isle of Man. However, provided that you comply with the conditions of the visa, you can visit the UK without restriction, including having a second home there.
Can I obtain this visa together with a business partner?
Yes, multiple people applying at the same time can together establish or invest in the business as an team. However, unlike the previous Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route, the team members cannot share the minimum investment requirements for (Innovator) and will each need to invest a minimum of GBP50,000.
Do I need a criminal record certificate to obtain this visa?
Unlike the previous Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route, there is no requirement for criminal record certificates. However, you will have to disclose all criminal convictions, including those considered spent, as part of your application.
Do I need to pay NHS Surcharge?
No, there is no NHS Surcharge in the Isle of Man. This means that the costs of making an Isle of Man visa application are often considerably cheaper than in the UK.
Do I need to spend all my time in the Isle of Man?
No. You will be expected to spend the majority of your working time managing and developing your business day to day in the Isle of Man, but you can spend time in the UK or elsewhere. You will still be eligible for ILR, provided you have spent no more than 180 days in each year outside the British Islands (the Isle of Man, the UK and the Channel Islands).
Can I work for someone else on this visa?
You cannot be a direct employee of someone else's business, but your businesses may be able to provide your services to other companies.
Do I need a work permit in addition to my visa?
The main holder of a Business Migrant visa is likely to be exempt from the requirement to hold a separate Isle of Man work permit. Your dependants may need work permits: Kinley Legal can help assess this.
I applied for this visa, but have been refused. Can Kinley Legal help?
Yes, contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss your options. Unlike in the UK, in the Isle of Man applicants have a full right of appeal against immigration decisions, which means that if you have wrongly been refused, an appeal can often be heard by an independent immigration judge within weeks.
Isn't it very hard to obtain an endorsement?
Unlike in the UK, where endorsements may only be issued by endorsing bodies such as universities and tech incubators with their own criteria, there is a single endorsing body in the Isle of Man, the Isle of Man Government Department for Enterprise. As this is the government body tasked with encouraging inward investment and business migration into the Isle of Man, we expect it to be much easier for good business ideas to be endorsed in the Isle of Man, compared with the UK. Talk to Kinley Legal about your business idea and we can work together with you and your other business advisers to help ensure successful endorsement.