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Roman Abramovich thought to be caught up in UK visa crackdown Roman Abramovich thought to be caught up in UK visa crackdown
(35 minutes later)
The Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, appears to have been caught up in a government crackdown on wealthy investors coming to the UK in the wake of the Salisbury poisoning attack, further increasing tensions between Britain and Russia. The Chelsea football club owner, Roman Abramovich, appears to have been caught up in a government crackdown on wealthy investors coming to the UK in the wake of the Salisbury poisoning attack, further increasing tensions between Britain and Russia.
Downing Street confirmed that it was taking a fresh look at tier 1 visas, the type the Russian oligarch is understood to hold, which allows anybody who invests more than £2m in the British economy to stay for 40 months. Downing Street confirmed it was taking a fresh look at tier 1 visas, the type the Russian oligarch is understood to hold, which allows anybody who invests more than £2m in the British economy to stay for 40 months.
The Kremlin said that the British plan to tackle illicit money flows was evidence of “Russophobic hysteria”. On the Chelsea owner’s visa, it claimed that Russian businesses often encountered “unfriendly and unfair” actions when applying to come to the UK. Responding to the reports on the delay to Abramovich’s visa, the Kremlin claimed that Russian businesses often encountered “unfair and unfriendly” actions when applying to come to the UK.
The billionaire’s visa is understood to have expired in April and has not yet been renewed, meaning he was unable to attend the FA Cup final on Saturday in which his team beat Manchester United to lift the trophy. A Kremlin spokesman said: “I don’t have this information. There were reports about this. I’ve already said: our business is encountering manifestations of unfair and unfriendly treatment in the UK”.
Number 10 confirmed the government was tightening the rules on Russian investors who wanted to stay in the UK. Last month, Amber Rudd, the then home secretary, announced a review of the investment visas. Abramovich, who was last seen publicly at a court hearing in Switzerland on Friday, missed his club’s FA Cup final victory on Saturday over Manchester United at Wembley. The Moscow-born businessman has owned the club since 2003.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said he would not discuss individual cases but did not rule out a link between Abramovich’s failure to renew his visa, which he will now have to do from Russia, and the crackdown on the visa category. No 10 confirmed the government was tightening the rules on Russian investors who wanted to stay in the UK. Last month, Amber Rudd, the then home secretary, announced a review of investment visas.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said he would not discuss individual cases but did not rule out a link between Abramovich’s failure to renew his visa and the crackdown on the visa category.
He said: “As a result of these reforms, applications reduced by 84%. We are currently taking another look at how the route operates and are undertaking further checks on investors who came to the UK through this route before the reforms were introduced.” Whitehall sources later suggested there could be a link between the billionaire’s application and the government’s decision to take another look at the scheme as a whole. Between 700 and 1,000 wealthy foreign investors are believed to hold tier 1 visas.
Whitehall sources later suggested there could be a link between the billionaire’s application and the government’s decision to take another look at the scheme as a whole. Between 700 and 1,000 wealthy foreign investors are believed to hold tier 1 visas.1 Abramovich’s visa is thought to have expired in April when he was out of the country and he has not tried to enter Britain since. His new application would have to be made from abroad, probably Russia, which means he will be subject to slightly more rigorous criteria than if he applied from within the UK.
Abramovich’s visa is thought to have expired in April when he was out of the country and he has not tried to enter Britain since. His new application would have to take place from abroad, probably Russia, which means he will be subject to a slightly more rigorous criteria than if he applied in-country.
Someone who knows Abramovich told the Guardian on Sunday that he had not been denied a visa but it was taking longer than usual to renew, and it was unclear why. A representative for Abramovich declined to comment on the reports, calling it a personal matter.Someone who knows Abramovich told the Guardian on Sunday that he had not been denied a visa but it was taking longer than usual to renew, and it was unclear why. A representative for Abramovich declined to comment on the reports, calling it a personal matter.
No 10 also confirmed that additional checks were taking place at private airfields in the wake of the Salisbury attack in March. The uncertainly over Abramovich’s visa takes place against a backdrop of increased tension between the UK and Russia.
A Labour MP on the foreign affairs select committee, Chris Bryant, said he regarded the delay in granting Abramovich a visa as “a sign that the card of Putin and his allies is finally being marked”.
He added that with the imminent passage through parliament of the sanctions bill, it would be possible to put those close to Putin on an open list either for sanctions, or visa refusal. “It is best this is done as openly and transparently as possible, with carrots and sticks for good behaviour,” he said.
Roman AbramovichRoman Abramovich
RussiaRussia
Sergei SkripalSergei Skripal
Immigration and asylumImmigration and asylum
ChelseaChelsea
Europe
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