Close to the UK, decisively not the UK.

More HNWIs are leaving the UK in search of a stable shore for private wealth, designed for privacy and preservation, and potentially to lead a quieter lifestyle.

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The UK climate for private wealth clients

The UK’s sentiment shift over the last year, following the changes in the country’s Non-Dom regime, rising inheritance tax exposure, and increased capital gains and dividend tax reforms, negatively impacted investment behaviour, and ultimately shifted its overall attractiveness for global investors and families.

Private clients, often with a complex, international portfolio, view residency as a strategic lever, which opens doors to cross-border planning, with enhanced flexibility to create a robust, long-term wealth strategy encompassing trusts, family investment companies or lifetime gifting.

A more discrete approach

High-Net-Worth clients are no longer choosing residency in global capital’s defined by postcode prestige and an international finance centre.

The rising wellness trend, shaped by habits leading a quieter lifestyle, has led HNWIs to prioritise discretion and time more than ever. Privacy and certainty, in a political unstable world, is more important than ever.

Rather than wealth shouting, HNWIs are seeking a well-regulated haven for wealth to quietly compound. A predictable jurisdiction, like the Isle of Man, offers calm over chaos, for individuals that seek to live well, protect what they have built, and plan with confidence.

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Why the Isle of Man is a premier jurisdiction for private clients

The Isle of Man not only offers tax efficiency, but long-term certainty for inter-generational wealth structuring, globally recognised for its trust legislation and regulatory clarity.

Lower and simpler personal taxes

The Isle of Man’s income tax is capped at 21%, with an annual tax cap (currently £220,000k for individuals / £440,000k for jointly assessed couples), and there is an absence of inheritance tax, wealth tax, or stamp duty. There are no additional UK surcharges like the additional rate band or dividend tax hikes.

Strong legal environment

The Isle of Man offers a highly regarded legal environment for private wealth, underpinned by a stable common-law system closely aligned with English law and supported by an independent judiciary.

For private wealth, this translates into robust asset protection, clear trust and estate planning frameworks, and legal certainty across generations, all within a jurisdiction that is internationally respected and free from the political volatility increasingly affecting larger onshore systems.

Business-friendly environment

The jurisdictions absence of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is particularly attractive for trading companies, business exits, share sales, and crypto / investment portfolios.

Its reputation is reinforced by its OECD-compliant and white-listed status, and its proximity to the UK is ideal for business, offering short flights to London, Manchester, Liverpool, Dublin, which makes it easy to maintain UK business interests without being UK tax-resident.

The Island lifestyle

The Isle of Man offers a stable lifestyle, shaped by a strong community feel and low crime, with vast space and a rugged natural coastline. For families, the country boasts high-quality private education and healthcare access, and a quieter, lower-pressure environment with less media scrutiny and public visibility than London.

Despite this, the economy encompasses diverse, growing industry, including maritime, finance, banking, and regulated markets.

The Isle of Man controls its own immigration rules which limit speculative inflows and preserves quality of life, which has curated a growing HNWI community.

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Relocating to the Isle of Man as a HNWI or Business Owner

The Isle of Man offers clear and structured immigration pathways, including the Investor / Business Migrant route, which is the most common for HNWIs, and a skilled worker/ Entrepreneur route.

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Investor / Business Migrant Route (Start-up)

All Business Migrants must obtain a Letter of Endorsement from the Department before making a visa application under the Business Migrant Route.

This route is for individuals seeking to establish a business in the Isle of Man for the first time. Migrants will have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea.

This category offers leave for 2 years and 4 months only. This category does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Applications for a Letter of Endorsement must be accompanied by a comprehensive business plan.

A Business Migrant applying for a Letter of Endorsement under the Start-Up sub category does not require a minimum level of funds to invest in the proposed business, however, the

business plan will be expected to demonstrate how necessary finance will be raised to ensure the business venture is viable.

Contact our team to learn more about the programme and the full requirements.

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‍Investor / Business Migrant Route (Innovator)

This path is for Business Migrants with business experience seeking to establish, join or take over one or more businesses in the Isle of Man. Unless progressing from the start-up route, Migrants will have a minimum of £50,000 to invest in the business.

Business Migrants seeking to establish a new business under this route will have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea.

Business Migrants seeking to join, or take over an existing business or businesses, will be required to demonstrate how the investment will be made and the Migrants plans for the business.

This category leads to indefinite leave to remain.

Applications for a Letter of Endorsement must be accompanied by a comprehensive business plan.

Contact our team to learn more about the programme and the full requirements.

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‍British or Irish Citizen Route

If you’re a British or Irish citizen, you do not need a visa to live in the Isle of Man, however you must establish tax residency properly.

To be Isle of Man tax resident, the individual must meet one of the following criteria; spend 6 months in one year continuous residence or visits that total more than 3 months in 4 or more consecutive years.

Applicants must have lived in the UK or Islands for at least five years and meet specific character requirements. Applicants must demonstrate good character, English language proficiency, and knowledge of life in the UK.

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Why Affinity?

Based in the Isle of Man since 2004, we provide HNWIs and business owners with dedicated assistance with residency planning and immigration regimes.

Our personal service involves reassurance and support every step of the way, through compiling a thorough application, liaising with trusted partners, structuring (if required) and other corporate services, and beyond.

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Contact our team

Speak with our residency experts to start your path to Isle of Man residency today.

Koko Dalmini

Business Development Manager

koko@affinityco.com

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