Reports have emerged that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has withdrawn his British visa application due to delays in its renewal amid reports that he has acquired Israeli citizenship.
He reportedly took Israeli citizenship this week after being without a visa to Britain where he owns London-based Chelsea Football Club. However, with an Israeli passport, he will only be allowed to stay, but not work for up to half a year in the UK.
Abramovich reportedly withdrew his U.K. visa renewal application after it was held up for several weeks by British authorities due to the stricter vetting of the applicant’s sources of wealth, a development which the Financial Times newspaper quoted a person close to the Oligarch as saying on Thursday.
However, it was noted that the delay which Abramovich believes is linked to increased political hostilities between Russia and the West has not angered him, according to two sources close to the Oligarch in a chat with the Financial Times.
He no longer needs a U.K. investor visa after securing Israeli citizenship, according to The Sun tabloid in the citation of an unnamed source.
