Guernsey

Guernsey Investor Visa

The Guernsey Investor Visa allows high-net-worth foreign nationals to establish residence in the Bailiwick of Guernsey by making a substantial capital investment. 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 investment suitability assessment. The visa requires £1,000,000 in personal funds with at least £750,000 placed in a qualifying investment. Unlike the Entrepreneur Visa, this is a passive residence route — the holder may not take employment except to manage their own investments. Guernsey retained this programme after the UK closed its equivalent Tier 1 (Investor) visa in February 2022, making it one of the few remaining investor visa routes within the British Crown Dependencies.

• Foreign national without British or Irish citizenship and without UK right to remain
• Aged 18 or over
• £1,000,000 in personal funds under the applicant's control and disposable in Guernsey
• At least £750,000 invested in one of three qualifying categories approved by the Committee for Economic Development
• Sufficient financial resources to maintain self and dependants without recourse to public funds
• Clean criminal record
• No educational or professional qualifications required

• Bank deposit: £750,000 placed on deposit in a bank regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC)
• Additional property: Purchase and retention of an Open Market property valued at minimum £750,000, separate from the applicant's residential property
• Approved venture: £750,000 invested in a Guernsey opportunity considered satisfactory by the States of Guernsey, such as fintech, green energy, or other approved sectors

The remaining £250,000 above the qualifying investment may remain in an overseas account but must be available upon review.

• Valid passport
• Proof of £1,000,000 in personal funds under the applicant's control and disposable in Guernsey
• Evidence of proposed £750,000 qualifying investment (bank deposit confirmation, property purchase evidence, or approved investment proposal)
• Proof of accommodation in Guernsey (Open Market property purchase or rental)
• Proof of ability to maintain and accommodate self and dependants without recourse to public funds
• 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 it expires, the holder applies for an extension of up to 3 additional years and must demonstrate continued maintenance of £1,000,000 under their control in Guernsey and that the £750,000 qualifying investment has been maintained. Extension applications should be submitted approximately 3 months before expiry. 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.

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. Spouses and partners must demonstrate English language competency through an approved test, qualifying nationality, or relevant degree. Dependants receive leave to remain for the same duration as the main applicant. Spouses and partners may apply for ILR after 60 months of total stay. Family members must also obtain Population Management Permits to reside in the Open Market property with the householder.

Guernsey levies no capital gains tax, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, or value-added/sales tax, and is not part of the UK or EU for tax purposes. 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 or £320,000 on combined qualifying and non-qualifying income is available to all residents.

The process begins with a pre-application consultation with Locate Guernsey, the official relocation agency, to identify suitable investments and accommodation. 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 proposed investment. Processing takes approximately 2 to 6 weeks. Upon approval and arrival, the applicant must apply for an Open Market Resident Certificate through the Population Management Office and register with the Revenue Service Guernsey for income tax and social security.

The applicant must purchase or rent an Open Market Part A property in Guernsey as their principal private residence. This property is separate from any property purchased as a qualifying investment. Open Market properties represent approximately 7% of Guernsey's total housing stock and prices are generally higher than Local Market values.

Links

• https://www.locateguernsey.com/hnwi/easy-relocation/
• https://www.gov.gg/immigration
• https://www.gov.gg/openmarketapply

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