The new services, which include the passive investor visa, active investor visa and comprehensive family office service, are tailored to different clients’ needs.
Investor visas give international investors the opportunity to attain permanent residency in the UK by investing at least £2m in UK government bonds, shares or loan capital.
London & Capital’s international wealth and immigration division handled 700 new investor visa cases last year, which it said is a rise of 30% compared to the year before.
“We’re seeing an increase in demand from international clients looking to attain permanent residency through the investor visa scheme, but not all require the same level of attention,” said Mark Estcourt, founder of London & Capital’s international wealth and immigration division, which was set up in 2012.
“Some may just require the investor visa transactional services in place, whereas others require full relocation services to the UK.”
“Low risk safe haven”
The passive investor visa is suited to those who require a quick and convenient service, and who are not interested in active investment management. It only invests in UK gilts, which London & Capital said offers a “low risk safe haven for clients’ funds”. It carries a charge of 0.75% per year.
By contrast, the active investor visa service is designed for clients who require an active mandate and regular interaction with their investment manager. The portfolio is invested in UK bonds and equities, and is ideally suited for high net worth clients who want some control of their investment portfolio. The service carries an annual fee of 1%.
The comprehensive family office service is suited for families and high net worth individuals who require full support in moving to the UK from abroad, offering legal, tax, property, and insurance expertise. This new service is designed to help manage clients’ overseas investment portfolios, which are both UK and global stocks. The offering carries a fee of 1.25% per annum and gives clients unlimited access to meetings and phone calls with their investment manager.
“Unique circumstances”
Estcourt said: “Each client has unique circumstances so we have developed our services to tailor to the different needs, making it clearer for both clients and immigration professionals we work so closely with.”
In November, the Home Office increased the minimum threshold for UK investor visas to £2m.
