To enter the UK under this immigration category, the following requirements must be met:

The applicant must be at least 60 years old; and Have under his or her control (and disposable in the UK) an income of not less than £ 25, 000 per annum,
Be able to demonstrate a close connection with the UK,
Be able and willing to maintain and accommodate themselves (and any dependants) indefinitely without taking employment, and intend to make the UK their main home.

There are three points in particular which are of particular importance: the financial requirement;

the close connection requirement; and the ability and willingness to maintain oneself indefinitely without working. These are discussed in more detail below.

The Financial Requirement

"Have under his or her control (and disposable in the UK) an income of not less than £25, 000 per annum" By "control" the authorities must be satisfied that the funds are not, for example, dependant on a third party who can stop payment should he or she so wish. Therefore, having a regular supply of money is only sufficient if you have a legal right to enforce continued payment against anyone who might wish to interfere with it. The income can be derived from an overseas pension, trust fund, rents on property or any other legally enforceable agreement.

The reference to the funds being disposable in the UK is often misunderstood. The funds do not have to be physically located in the UK but merely able to be brought to this country freely as required. If the funds are located abroad there must be no exchange control regulations preventing transfer to the UK when necessary. Although the capital need not be in the UK at the time of application, presence of such funds in the UK prior to application may form part of the required close connection with the UK.