Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension

What is the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa?

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa was a UK immigration route for non-EEA nationals who wanted to set up or take over an existing business in the UK. It allowed applicants to live and work in the UK to run a genuine business. Although this route closed to new applicants on 29 March 2019, those already on this visa may still be eligible to extend their stay or apply for settlement.

This route was designed to encourage foreign investment, stimulate entrepreneurship, and contribute to the UK economy through job creation.

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Extending Your Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa

If you currently hold a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, you can still apply for an extension, provided you meet all the necessary criteria. The extension will typically be granted for 2 years, allowing you to continue operating your business in the UK.

You must apply before your current visa expires, and your application must demonstrate that you have genuinely continued to operate a viable business, invested the required funds, and created jobs for settled workers.

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Eligibility Requirements for Extension

To extend your Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Investment

You must have:

• Invested £200,000 or £50,000 (depending on your original route) in a UK business.

• The funds must have been invested directly into the business, not just held in a business bank account.

2. Job Creation

You must have:

• Created the equivalent of 2 full-time jobs for at least 12 months each.

• The employees must be settled workers (e.g., British citizens, those with ILR, or EEA nationals before Brexit changes).

• If you reused a job from a previous grant, it must have existed for another 12 months during your extension period.

3. Business Activity

You must show you:

• Are genuinely operating a business in the UK.

• Are registered with HMRC as self-employed or as a company director.

• Have continued to meet the conditions of your visa.

4. Genuine Entrepreneur Test

This is a subjective assessment by the Home Office. They must be satisfied that:

• You have genuinely established and intend to continue running a UK business.

• You have invested the money and created jobs.

• You haven’t worked in paid employment outside your business.

Required Documents and Evidence

Your application must be supported with specific documentation. These include:

1. Evidence of Investment

• Business bank statements clearly showing the investment.

• Company accounts showing the capital injection.

• Proof of source of funds, if questioned.

2. Job Creation Evidence

• PAYE records.

• Employment contracts.

• Wage slips.

• HMRC RTI (Real Time Information) reports.

• Evidence the roles existed for at least 12 months each.

3. Business Proof

• Companies House registration and filings.

• VAT registration (if applicable).

• Business bank account in the company’s name.

• Annual accounts and CT600 (corporation tax) forms.

• Evidence of marketing, trading, and business activity.

4. Personal Evidence

• Proof of English language ability (if not previously provided).

• Criminal record certificate from any country you have lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.

• 90-day maintenance funds in your personal account (if required).

Application Process

1. Apply online before your visa expires.

2. Submit your documents digitally or via the UKVCAS appointment.

3. Pay the application fee and immigration health surcharge (IHS).

4. Attend biometric appointment (if applicable).

5. Wait for a decision (usually within 8 weeks under standard service).

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Supporting documents for Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa extension

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The exact supporting documents for your Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa will depend on your circumstances. Some of the documents you may be asked to provide include:

• Evidence you are registered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) as self-employed, or with Companies House as a director of a UK company, or member of a UK partnership.

• Evidence of your specified investment – either in the form of:

  • audited business accounts

  • unaudited accounts with an account’s compilation report

• Directors’ loan agreement – this will be needed if your business was funded by a directors’ loan.

• Details of the employment start date, job title, job description, hours paid per pay period and the hourly rate for settled workers.

• Employees payslips – showing the number of employees and how much you pay them. This includes printouts of Real Time-Full Payment Submissions showing you are complying with Pay As You Earn (PAYE) reporting requirements to HM Revenue & Customs.

For a full set of documentation requirements, check the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) of the Points Based System – Policy Guidance1.

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Deadline for Tier 1 Entrepreneur extension

The current immigration rules state that if you did not hold a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur before being granted a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, you must apply for your extensions by 6th April 2023.

If you did hold a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa before you switched to a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, you will have until 6th July 2025 to apply for an extension.

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What Happens Next?

If successful, you will be granted a 2-year extension. After completing 5 years in total under this route, you may be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided you meet stricter requirements for settlement.

For applicants who entered under the £200,000 route, ILR requires:

• Ongoing business activity.

• Continuous job creation.

• No absences over 180 days in any 12-month period.

For tailored advice or support preparing your Tier 1 Entrepreneur extension, contact us today to discuss your best route to UK residency and business success.

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1 GOV.UK: Tier 1 Entrepreneur Policy Guidance

2 GOV.UK: Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa