Applying for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension & Alternatives Options

An initial Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa lasts for a total of 3 years and 4 months. Holders of the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa may apply to extend their stay in the UK for a further 2 years under Tier 1. 

The application process for extending your Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa is, however, highly involved. Criteria are strict, and the requirements on you to provide full and accurate supporting documentation are stringent. 

The demands can be exacerbated if, as a result of poor advice as part of your initial Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa application, your supporting documentation has not been kept up to date. 

Failure to present a comprehensive and complete application can lead to delays in a decision or even refusal. 

There is also the possibility that you may be invited to interview by the Home Office, to discuss in detail your application, your business and your activity during your stay to date. 

Am I eligible to apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension? 

The eligibility criteria to extend your Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa require that you: 

  • have invested into 1 or more UK businesses either £200,000 in cash or £50,000 in cash if your initial application was based on having funds from an approved funding source; 

  • are registered as a director or as self-employed no more than 6 months after the date you were given permission to stay in the UK under a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa; 

  • can prove you have been self-employed, a member of a partnership or working as a director of a business 3 months before you apply; 

  • created at least 2 full time jobs that have existed for at least 1 year each. 

What is the process for extending a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa? 
 

If you are currently in the UK, complete the form and submit by post. 

If you are outside the UK, you apply online here. 

You should apply to extend your visa before your current leave expires. You can stay in the UK while your application is being processed, provided you applied before your visa has expired. 

Will I be eligible to settle in the UK? 
 

You may eligible for permanent residence status after the end of the 2-year extended Tier 1 visa. 

However, under the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, it is also possible to achieve fast-tracked permanent residence after 3 years. 

Fast track permanent residence can be achieved if your business has created 10 full time jobs in the UK for a total of 1 year each or your business turnover exceeds £5 million over the 3 year period. 

What else? 

If you do not feel you meet the extension requirement but keen to stay another 2 years to settle in the UK, Tier 2 General may be the answer. This way if you are a skilled IT Consultant you can work on projects for a consultancy and accrued the 2 additional years in order to apply for ILR. For more information do contact us at consult@mavisas.co.uk. 

Thanks for reading 

Mason Alexander 

Mason Alexander