BRIC seekers of UK golden visa double since 2015 despite Brexit

BRIC applicants accounted for 40% of total global refusals in 2019

The number of Brazilian, Russian, Indian and Chinese citizens willing to invest at least £2 million ($2.6 million) in the UK for a so-called golden visa has almost doubled since 2015, even as the push for Brexit continued.

A total 239 BRIC applicants were recorded in 2019, comprising 64 per cent of the global aggregate, according to data from the UK Home Office compiled by Shard Capital Partners LLP China (including Hong Kong and Macau) accounted for the bulk of these at 193.

“The withdrawal of UK government bonds as a qualifying investment has seen a shift in applicants investing into managed