Guernsey Entrepreneur Visa

The Guernsey Entrepreneur Visa allows foreign nationals to establish residence in the Bailiwick of Guernsey by founding or acquiring and actively managing a business on the island. Governed by Part 6 of the Immigration (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Rules, 2008, the programme is administered jointly by the Guernsey Border Agency for immigration decisions and the Committee for Economic Development for business suitability assessment. Applicants must invest £200,000 in a Guernsey business and work full-time managing it. Guernsey offers a favourable tax environment with no capital gains tax, wealth tax, inheritance tax, or sales tax, and a flat 20% income tax rate with available tax caps.

• Foreign national without British or Irish citizenship and without UK right to remain
• Aged 18 or over
• £200,000 in personal funds available for investment in a Guernsey business
• Viable business plan demonstrating job creation and economic benefits to Guernsey
• Business experience
• Good command of spoken English, or national of a majority English-speaking country
• Must work full-time managing the business and hold at least a controlling or equal ownership interest
• Sufficient financial resources to support self and dependants without recourse to public funds
• Clean criminal record

• Valid passport
• Bank statements from the last 3 months proving £200,000 in personal funds
• Detailed business plan demonstrating job creation and economic benefits
• Evidence of business experience
• Proof of English language proficiency or qualifying nationality
• Proof of accommodation in Guernsey (Open Market property purchase or rental agreement)
• Proof of ability to maintain and accommodate self and dependants
• Criminal record declaration
• TB test certificate if applying from a designated high-risk country for stays exceeding 6 months

The initial entry clearance is valid for up to 2 years. Before this expires, the holder applies for an extension of up to 3 additional years and must demonstrate that the business remains operational and the £200,000 investment has been maintained. After 5 continuous years of lawful residence (with no more than 180 days absence per 12-month period), the holder may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. After 12 months holding ILR, British citizenship by naturalisation becomes available, subject to the Life in the UK and Islands test and English language requirements.

Spouses, civil partners, unmarried or same-sex partners who have been cohabiting for at least 2 years, and dependent children under 18 may accompany the main applicant. All family members must receive visa approval before relocating to Guernsey and receive leave to remain for the same duration as the main applicant. Dependants must also obtain Population Management Permits to reside in the Open Market property.

Guernsey levies no capital gains tax, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, or value-added/sales tax. Residents pay a flat 20% income tax rate on worldwide income. New Open Market residents who purchase a property with document duty of at least £50,000 (approximately £1.4 million property value) may elect the Open Market Tax Cap of £60,000 per year for the year of arrival and the following 3 years. A standard tax cap of £160,000 on qualifying income is available to all residents. Companies registered in Guernsey are generally taxed at 0% on most business income, with distributions taxed at the individual level.

The process begins with a pre-application consultation with Locate Guernsey, the official relocation agency. The formal entry clearance application is submitted online via the UK Visas & Immigration service from the applicant's country of residence, selecting "Crown Dependency" and specifying "Bailiwick of Guernsey." Biometrics are provided at a visa application centre. The application is assessed by the Guernsey Immigration & Nationality Division with the Committee for Economic Development reviewing the business proposal. Processing takes approximately 2 to 6 weeks. Upon approval and arrival, the applicant must register with the Guernsey Border Agency within 7 days, transfer the £200,000 investment to a Guernsey bank account within 90 days, and establish the company within the same timeframe. A separate application for an Open Market Resident Certificate is required through the Population Management Office.

The applicant must purchase or rent an Open Market property in Guernsey as their principal private residence. Open Market properties represent approximately 7% of Guernsey's total housing stock and prices are generally higher than Local Market values. The principal residence requirement must be maintained throughout the visa period.