Entrepreneur / Investor Visa Guernsey

Two different presence limits — don't conflate them

While the visa itself is in force, one limit applies. Moving to ILR and citizenship uses a different, tighter limit that's cumulative over several years, not annual.

STAGE

ABSENCE LIMIT

NOTE

While the visa is in force (Entrepreneur or Investor)

ABSENCE LIMITno more than 180 days a year

a minimum of 185 days' presence annually

ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain), after 5 years

ABSENCE LIMITcontinuous-residence requirement checked

plus maintaining the investment throughout

Citizenship, after 6 years

ABSENCE LIMITno more than 450 days over the preceding 5 years, and no more than 90 in the final year

a cumulative limit, distinct from the visa's annual one

What the process consists of

The Investor Visa splits into two parts: the qualifying investment and a separate, mandatory Open Market property purchase for personal residence.

COST ITEM

AMOUNT

NOTE

Entrepreneur Visa: business investment

AMOUNTfrom £200,000

a new or existing Guernsey company

Investor Visa: qualifying investment

AMOUNT£750,000

GFSC bank deposit / property / approved investment

Investor Visa: total funds

AMOUNTfrom £1,000,000

includes the qualifying investment plus reserve

How the process runs

Choosing a route: Entrepreneur or Investor

Different thresholds, different business-involvement requirements.

For Entrepreneur: preparing a business plan and full-time management involvement

A controlling or equal stake and job creation are required.

For Investor: placing the £750,000 qualifying investment

Plus purchasing Open Market property for personal residence.

Receiving the visa for 2 years

Renewable for 3 more years while conditions are maintained.

Complying with the presence limit — no more than 180 days' absence a year

Separate from the tighter cumulative limits for ILR (5 years) and citizenship (6 years).

A good fit if

You're ready to actively manage a Guernsey business with an investment from £200,000 (Entrepreneur Visa).

Or you're considering a more passive entry via the Investor Visa — £750,000 qualifying investment plus separate property, totalling from £1 million.

You understand the difference between the visa's annual absence limit (180 days) and the cumulative limit for ILR/citizenship (450 days over 5 years).

You're thinking on a 5–6-year horizon toward ILR and citizenship.

A poor fit if

You're conflating the £750,000 qualifying investment with the £1,000,000 total funds under the Investor Visa — these are different amounts, the latter including the former plus a reserve.

You expect the visa's annual absence limit (180 days) to match the ILR/citizenship limit — these are two separately counted metrics.

You're not prepared for full-time involvement in business management — a mandatory condition of the Entrepreneur Visa, not a formality.

You need a route without a mandatory Open Market property purchase — both routes require one.

Who runs this programme

Your request goes to two or three firms from this list. You see exactly which ones before it is sent, and you can exclude any of them.

Henley & Partners

Лондон, Великобритания · since 1997

The largest advisory firm in the industry — over 70 offices worldwide; also advises governments on designing migration programmes.

NTL Trust

Карибский регион (офисы в Латинской Америке, Европе, на Ближнем Востоке и в Азии) · since 1994

30+ years in citizenship and residence by investment, officially accredited by several Caribbean governments; also trust and corporate services.

Arton Capital

Монреаль, Канада · since 2006

Global financial advisory firm specialising in residence and citizenship by investment.

Astons

Дубай, ОАЭ (основана в Лондоне) · since 1989

One of the oldest firms in the market, over 9,000 clients from 100+ countries; Golden Visa, citizenship and RBI worldwide.

La Vida Golden Visas

Лондон, Великобритания · since 2002

Over 20 years of experience, clients from 160+ countries; specialises in Portugal’s Golden Visa and other EU programmes.

Savory & Partners

Дубай, ОАЭ · since 2009

Over 70 specialists across 8 offices on three continents, 20+ jurisdictions, over 11,000 clients.

Global Citizen Solutions

Лондон, Великобритания / Лиссабон, Португалия · since 2016

Global mobility consultancy with a Lisbon office; specialises in Portugal’s Golden Visa and Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa.

This is an independent list of firms in the market, not our partners — we do not forward requests to them or receive payment for referrals. Contact them directly via the link.

Frequent questions

Why does the Investor Visa show two amounts — £750,000 and £1 million?

Per the available data, £750,000 is the "qualifying" investment (a deposit, property, or approved opportunity), while £1,000,000 is the total required funds, including that investment plus a reserve — a part-and-whole relationship, not alternative figures.

Is the absence limit the same for the visa and for citizenship?

No — per the available data the visa itself allows up to 180 days' absence a year, while citizenship after 6 years uses a separate cumulative limit — no more than 450 days over the preceding 5 years and no more than 90 in the final year.

Do I have to personally manage the business under the Entrepreneur Visa?

Yes — per the available data full-time management involvement, a controlling or equal stake, and job creation are required, not passive ownership.

Do both visas require a property purchase?

Yes — per the available data both routes require an Open Market property purchase for personal residence, in addition to the business investment or qualifying deposit.

When is ILR available?

Per the available data — after 5 years of continuous residence while maintaining the investment and meeting presence requirements.

Sources

PropertySkipper — overview of Guernsey's investment-residency routes: the Investor Visa (£1,000,000 total funds, of which £750,000 is the qualifying investment — a GFSC-regulated deposit, Open Market property, or an approved investment; plus a separate property purchase for residence), the Entrepreneur Visa (from £200,000, full-time involvement, a controlling stake, job creation), both for 2 years renewable for 3 more, an 180-day annual absence limit on the visa itself, and separate limits for ILR after 5 years (maintaining investment and presence) and citizenship after 6 years (450 days over 5 years / 90 days in the final year)↗

Figures are for reference only. Verified against official sources on 27 August 2026. A precise quote is issued by the appointed firm after document review. This material is not legal advice, a public offer or investment advice.