The car was smashed in the hotel parking lot, items were stolen, and when you tried to pull the CCTV to check it out, you were told that you need to pay5,000eurosfirst! Is this the European life you aspire to?
However, there are still some people who buy a “small house” overseas to realize the “home away from home”.
For example, some people spend$180million on mansions in London, some peopleflee the UKwith61,000 bitcoins……No. Is UK status so fragrant? Why does it attract high net worth individuals from around the world, and what are the legitimate ways in which you can get a UK identity?
I. Ms. Zhangbought a mansion in London for$180million.
Asset Allocation and Security Choices of the Top Wealthy
The London Borough of Belgravia, one of the world’s most favored places to live for the world’s top billionaires.
Recently, according to the Financial Times, Xiaoxiang Morning Post and other media reports,in the fall of2024, Mr. Ma’s wife, Ms. Zhang, purchaseda Grade II-protected historic buildingfor19.5million pounds (about180million yuan), which is not an ordinary mansion, but a townhouse that was once used as the Italian Embassy in the United Kingdom.
The7,948-square-foot (738-square-meter) property comes with a theater, elevator and six bedrooms. According toLonRes, a provider of data on the high-end residential market, the property is among the0.4%of London’s most expensivereal estate transactions in2024.
Image source:Financial Times, Xiaoxiang Morning Post, erased
Beauchamp Estates, the agent in charge of the sale, revealed that buyers were attracted to the property’s“prominent location“and“high level of security“.For the super-rich, buying one of London’s top luxury properties is not only a lifestyle choice, but alsoa strategy forwealth preservation and globalization of assets.
The United Kingdom, especially London, has long been regarded as a“safe haven” forglobal capital, with a stable political environment, a sound legal system and a perfect property protection system, making it a powerful attraction for global capital.
Image source:Financial Times, Xiaoxiang Morning Post, erased
Identity associations: when buying a luxury property, people may naturally associate it with“whether it is for UK status” or “whether it is for moving to the UK” ……But the key point is:buying a property ≠ acquiring UK status directly. But the point is: buying a house ≠ acquiring a British identity directly. UK law does notautomatically linkthepurchase of a propertytoUK residency/permanent residence/nationality.
In other words: the news reminds us that although“luxury property in the UK/London“may seem like a status symbol and a preferred asset, if the goal is“UK status“(immigration, permanent residence, nationality), buying a house is only a component, not a passport.The path to status also depends on multiple dimensions such as visas, residency, compliance, and long-term integration.
Second, Zhimin Qian’s61,000 bitcoin exodus:
The British dream and legal endgame of female mega crooks
In stark contrast to the purchase of a London mansion through legal means, Qian Zhimin attempted to realize her“rich man’s dream“in the United Kingdom through illegal means.
On November11, Qian Zhimin, the main criminal in the Tianjin Lantian Gerry case, was sentenced to11yearsand 8monthsinprisonat Southwark Court in London.She was themastermind of the largest Bitcoin money laundering case in British history, involving61,000 Bitcoins with a current market value of about5billion pounds (equivalent to46.7billion yuan).
Photo credit: Red Star News, deleted
Qian Zhiminconverted the proceeds of her illegal fundraising into61,000 bitcoinsin 2017and fled to the UK using a fake passport. After arriving in London, she hired Jane Wen, a former Chinese restaurant delivery worker, as her personal assistant to try to convert the bitcoins into cash and luxury goods.
They moved intoa £17,000-a-month mansion, purchased luxury Mercedes-Benz cars, sent their children to private schools, and even spent more than£90,000at Harrods over three months.In 2018, when Qian attempted to buy£12.5millionworth ofLondon real estatewith bitcoin, she attracted the attention of police due to the unknown origin of the funds.
Police eventually seized more than61,000 bitcoins, thelargest cryptocurrency seizure in the world.Qian Zhimin’s case clearly demonstrates the other side of the UK’s immigration policy: a relatively open door but witha strict legal bottom line.
Three,5,000euros in surveillance access fees forBig Zhang Wei:
Celebrities’ Rights Dilemma and Safety Claims
In stark contrast to Chinese tycoons buying mansions in London, Chinese star David Zhangwei had a bad experience in Europe.
Dazhongwei told in the variety show, he was in the Netherlands to record the program, the vehicle parked in the local best hotel below the parking lot, the results came back to findthe car glass all smashed, computers and just bought all the items were stolen.
Source: Red Star News, Dazhang Wei Weibo, invasion and deletion
After calling the police, the police simply do not take it seriously, responding to“What’s new”, and even flirted with“If I were you, shopping with a suitcase shopping“.
What shocked him even more was thehigh cost of5,000euros (about41,000 yuan)for accessing the CCTV footage, which far exceeded the total value of the stolen items.
Dazhang Wei’s experience is not an isolated case. In recent years, several Chinese celebrities have been subjected to theft and robbery in Europe.
The Chinese Embassy in the Netherlands has issued an announcement reminding Chinese citizens in the Netherlands to take precautions against all kinds of security risks, in particular, to“pay attention to the prevention of theft and robbery“.
The law and order situation in parts of Europe, in contrast to the UK’s relatively well secured environment, partly explains why the UK has become a favored destination for global HNWIs.
Fourth, the British work visa in detail:
Mainstream Pathways for Skilled Migration
For those who are interested in immigrating to the UK, the UK offers a variety of legal status planning pathways. It should be noted that the UKhas officially canceledthe “Golden Visa“(Tier 1 Investor Visas), and no longer accepts pure investment in exchange for residence applications.
The Skilled Worker visarequires the applicant to have a jobofferfrom an employer recognized by the UK Home Office, and to meet English language proficiency requirements and a minimum salary.
TheInnovatorFounder visais for applicants planning to start a business in the UK and requires the business to be sponsored by an officially recognized body and English language proficiency atCEFRlevelB1.
The visa requires the applicant to start or take over a business in the UK after presenting an innovative business proposal and obtaining an endorsement from an approving authority, with a minimum investment, although variable, usually between£50,000 and£200,000, and the need to create jobs as well as keep the project running.
The High-potential Individualvisais for graduates of the world’s top universities andcan be applied forwithout a joboffer.
TheGlobal Talent Visa(GTV) does not have a fixed financial threshold and focuses more on an individual’s professional achievements in the fields of science, medicine, engineering or culture.
Image source:unsplash.com
V. UK Investment and Residence:
Legal path from business start-up to permanent residence
There is no direct path to residencyin the UKthrough the purchase of property.The abolition ofthe“Golden Visa“means that the British officials want to attract talents who can really contribute to British society, rather than simply the inflow of money.
A few years ago the UK did not have an exclusive immigration route for simple home buyers and property was always seen as a private asset investment rather than a visa basis.
The Tier 1 Investor Visarequires applicants to invest£2 millionin UK bonds or businesses.
The core objective of the scheme is to attract external capital, particularly high net worth individuals, to invest in UK businesses, bonds or other innovative projects through funding.
In addition to the investment funds, applicants will need to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to cover their living expenses in the UK.
All legal immigration routes require a“good character“check and no serious criminal record or immigration violations. The case of Chi-Min Chien illustrates that misrepresentation or a criminal background can lead directly to application failure and even criminal liability.
Image source:unsplash.com
VI. Core advantages of British identity
What does it mean to have a British identity? It’s much more than just a piece of paper, it’s a real quality of life and global accessibility.
World-class education system:The UK has the world’s top education resources, from Harrow Public School, Eton College and other elite private schools, to Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College and other world-renowned institutions, to provide children with a full chain of high-quality education from basic education to higher education.
Universal Healthcare:The National Health Service (NHS) inthe UKprovides comprehensive publicly-funded healthcare coverage for residents, from routine medical treatment to critical care, with high quality services and no need to worry about huge medical costs.
Social stability and legal environment:As an old rule of law country, the UK has a stable political environment and a sound legal system that provides full protection for private property, which is an important reason why many high net worth families choose the UK.
Strong passports with visa-free access:British passports allow visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to most countries and regions around the world, providing great convenience for international business and travel.
Arts and culture and quality of life:The UK has a large number of excellent museums, galleries, theaters and art galleries, and an international reputation for independent art, film, music, fashion and sport.
The UK is undoubtedly a haven for people who love all types of culture and art.
Family Immigration Benefits:The UK immigration policy supports family reunification, and immigrant investors can not only apply for residence status for themselves, but also bring their spouses, children and other family members to the UK.
Source:Henley & Partners
Conclusion:
Whether it is Ms. Zhang’s choice of a London mansion as an asset allocation, or Qian Zhimin’s attempt to take advantage of legal loopholes and ultimately end up in jail, or Dazhang Wei’s difficulties in defending his rights in Europe, all three point to one conclusion:the value of the British identity lies in the security, stability and high quality of life that it provides.
If you’re considering status planning, the UK is certainly an option worth serious consideration. Frominnovator visas starting at £50,000to skilled work visas, there is a path for you.
Start planning your British identity now and start a safer, freer and more secure international life for yourself and your family!
*References from: Red Star News, Xiaoxiang Morning Post, Financial Times, Lianhe Zaobao, Hong Kong Commercial Daily, Economic Intelligence Unit,UKVI,IND,BI, UKProceeds of Crime Recovery Act 2002 (Money Laundering Cases Sentencing),Henley & Partners,Comprehensive News Reporting, reprinted with attribution.
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