Abramovich given Israeli citizenship
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has become an Israeli citizen a month after Britain delayed renewing his visa amid diplomatic tension between London and Moscow.
The Chelsea football club owner, who is Jewish, exercised his right under Israel’s Law of Return, which states that Jews from anywhere in the world can become citizens of Israel.
The oligarch, worth an estimated £8.6 billion ($16.5b), instantly became Israel’s wealthiest person after receiving his citizenship yesterday.
The 51-year-old had been travelling in and out of Britain for years on a Tier-1 investor visa, designed for wealthy foreigners who invest at least £2 million in Britain. He applied to renew the visa in April but did not immediately receive approval from the Home Office.
It is unclear if Britain decided to reject his application permanently but a source familiar with the matter told the that the renewal process seemed to be taking an unusually long time. Abramovich is believed to have returned to Russia after his visa expired.
The Government suggested it would take a harder line on Russian oligarchs in Britain following the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury in March.
Abramovich’s private jet landed in Tel Aviv yesterday and he was immediately granted citizenship.