Comment on Foreign Investors Economic Impact by Foreign Millionaire.

UK Foreign Direct Investment First of all – I don’t really go by what the media, press and websites say – most of my anger and frustration is out of my own PERSONAL experiences dealing with British people and UK immigration staff etc.

If you saw the way I looked – firstly I don’t look Asian or Indian – there are many “Caucasian” Indians too – in fact more than a 100 million in the north are ethnically Caucasians. I have blue eyes and very white skin and yes light browish / blonde hair as well – no one really thinks I am an Indian but I don’t look “Anglo-Saxon” either. At best I look italian and greek to most people.. some even say French but in UK I certainly look like a “foreigner”.

Now – my problems with UK immigration staff are due to the fact they see my Indian Passport and start making all their assumptions – socially unless I tell people I am Indian – I don’t usually face any discrimination on my visits to London (and i’ve been coming there since I was 2 years old). I know the UK very well as a country and it has changed a lot in the past 5 years particularly. They were accepting of wealthy indians in the Past… my family has had a 100 yr travel history to the UK and none of us faced any issues up until recent times. The racism and xenophobia in Britain has gone out of control now.

Here is what I propose to stop all this hatred and control immigration –

1) Immediately stop accepting any further Asylum applications to the UK. Why should any country in the world – let alone a wealthy western power accept Asylum seekers so openly?? In fact the entire Asylum system is Unfair – think about it – a few people run away and seek asylum – when the majority of others in their position are stuck in their oppressive home countries – so isn’t the UK being unfair to those stuck in their oppressive countries by giving asylum to the few who escaped?? Why are these people coming to UK in the first place?? Why dont they go to a country like Australia which has plenty of land and lack of population or to Canada – the UK is too small and I agree a bit overcrowded already. Why don’t they even go to eastern European countries and seek asylum there?? The very fact they come to UK is because they want a Free ride and free benefits nothing else – in my opinion the doors to Asylum seekers should be indefinitely closed for Britain and other larger countries which can accommodate more people should be opened up for these people. Another idea would be to liaise with the Canadian or Australian govt. to send Asylum seekers over there if they land on UK soil – and let them go through a legal process to gain lawful residence and be law abiding citizens of those countries instead.

2) Deport every immigrant immediately who has committed a serious offence in the UK – such as murder, rape, etc. I am extremely against such people living in the UK.

3) Just by taking care of the above 2 – UK will have solved more than half of its immigrant issues. Now I do propose controlled immigration for skilled people and businessmen as well as wealthy foreigners who just want to live in UK and spend their foreign earned income. France, Spain, Italy etc. all offer what is called “Non-Lucrative” visas to foreigners of independent means. The UK does this too – but they want us to invest £1 million in useless 1-2% yielding govt. bonds or unit trusts and lock that money away for 5 years. They won’t even allow that investment in property. Is this a fair system?? On one hand they give free housing, free passports, and free food to Asylum seekers and criminals – while on the other hand they want wealthy investors to lock up a £1 million bucks for 5 years in useless investments and on top of that pay hefty taxes???? Its the stupidest policy in the world. France, Spain and Italy – only require proof of funds and foreign income to offer this kind of a visa – there is no ridiculous investment requirement. At the very least UK should reduce this amount to £500k – as this is a reasonable amount for anyone to live 10 years in the UK without having to work and be a burden on the system. Foreigners with money bring much more to the economy than average people understand – we come there to spend our money without earning anything… we spend in local businesses, services, going out and partying, shopping etc… all things which are important for an economy to grow. If laws for wealthy foreigners are also made so tuff and we are treated the same way as asylum seekers and illegal students then is that fair to us????? cmon… really.

Overall the entire immigration policy in UK is flawed at the moment – they want more and more people to come and live temporarily which will keep fueling their system – however they dont realize that as and when people get aware of this “temporary” user immigration policy – far less will be willing to come or even try to immigrate to UK – except for the same criminal minded, or desperate asylum seekers who have nothing to lose by going to britain but a lot to gain for free.

The quality of IMMIGRANTS UK gets depends on the type they are attracting right now with their messed up immigration policies – if they made it easier and more welcoming for independently wealthy foreigners who just want to buy nice houses and bring foreign income into UK – it would only benefit everyone. Also wealthy foreigners who want to move to UK want to do so because they enjoy the way of life there and wish to be part of it – the poor ones who move have no interest in British culture or way of life and just want the money and they want british people to change their way of life to suit the foreigners instead.

The current British immigration policies are complete utter nonsense – they are only in place to show the world that UK is a nice tolerant country – when the reality is this system is only aimed at making money and disrespecting everyone from students to skilled migrants and even investors. The bloody visa officers at embassies around the world do not see any difference between different categories of immigrants – they see us all the same dirty way.. they hate us and they look for little reasons to reject us to take out their frustrations… and yes they are doing this to investors too.. believe me. Most investors and rich people dont have the patience to deal with the system and just go to easier countries. France has never treated me this way, neither has Italy… they are far more accepting and tolerant.. they see the money and give us a visa in 2 minutes as opposed to the British who make our lives hell for months.. and even if after that we get a visa to UK – the entire experience is so bad that the charm no longer stays and we just decide to move on to better places.

I really don’t think I want to come back again – I’ll miss selfridges and harvey nichols as well as having tea at the claridges or lunch at the Dorchester… but i’ll survive without all that….