T1 Investor Visa Extensions & Settlements

As the UK legacy Visa routes, T1 Investor Visa is not accepting new applications anymore. However, if you are an existing Visa holder looking for extension applications, J&S Law Firm can definitely help. We have accumulated significant experience and dealt with hundreds of cases in the past decades when dealing with the above category.

Tier 1 Investor Visa extension timeline

You can apply for a Tier 1 Investor visa extension at any time prior to the expiry of your leave. However, we recommend that you apply to extend your UK Investor visa not more than 1 month before your current leave expires. If you apply for a Tier 1 Investor visa extension earlier than this then you may have a shortfall in your leave when you apply for settlement. This is because the Home Office will grant an extension of stay as a Tier 1 Investor for 2 years from the date of decision, not the date when your current leave expires. This would necessitate a further application for an extension of stay as a Tier 1 Investor before becoming eligible for indefinite leave to remain. Advice from an immigration lawyer will ensure the correct timing of your Tier 1 Investor visa extension application.

Applications for further leave to remain as a Tier 1 Investor can be made until 17 February 2026.

Tier 1 Investor Visa extension requirements: Initial Tier 1 Investor visa granted between 6 November 2014 and 28 March 2019

If you successfully applied for your Tier 1 Investor visa between 6 November 2014 and 28 March 2019, you will be able to extend your stay as a Tier 1 Investor if:
  • You invested not less than £2 million in the UK by way of UK Government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies;
  • You made your investment either (i) within 3 months of your entry to the UK, if you were granted entry clearance as a Tier 1 Investor and there is evidence to establish your date of entry to the UK (unless there are exceptionally compelling reasons for the delay in investing); or (ii) within 3 months of the date of the grant of entry clearance or leave to remain as a Tier 1 Investor (unless there are exceptionally compelling reasons for the delay in investing); or (iii) no earlier than 12 months before the date of the application which led to the first grant of leave as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant;
  • You have maintained the level of investment for the whole of the remaining period of your leave.

Tier 1 Investor Visa extension requirements: Initial Tier 1 Investor visa granted on or after 29 March 2019

If you successfully applied for your Tier 1 Investor visa on or after 29 March 2019, you will need to satisfy the following requirements in order to qualify for an extension of stay:
  • You must have invested not less than £2 million in the UK by way of UK share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies;
  • You must have made your investment either (i) within 3 months of your entry to the UK, if you were granted entry clearance as a Tier 1 Investor and there is evidence to establish your date of entry to the UK (unless there are exceptionally compelling reasons for the delay in investing); or (ii) within 3 months of the date of the grant of entry clearance or leave to remain as a Tier 1 Investor (unless there are exceptionally compelling reasons for the delay in investing); or (iii) no earlier than 12 months before the date of the application which led to the first grant of leave as a Tier 1 Investor;
  • You have maintained the level of investment for the whole of the remaining period of your leave.

Tier 1 Investor visa ILR: Initial Tier 1 Investor visa granted between 6 November 2014 and 28 March 2019

If you successfully applied for your Tier 1 Investor visa between 6 November 2014 and 28 March 2019, you will be able to apply for Tier 1 Investor ILR if:
  • You have money of your own, under your own control, in the UK amounting to not less than £2 million;
  • You have invested your capital in the UK by way of UK Government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies;
  • The investment was made no earlier than 12 months before the date of the application which led to the first grant of leave as a Tier 1 Investor Migrant;
  • You have maintained the level of investment for the whole of the remaining period of your leave;
  • You have spent a continuous period of either 2 years (if you have maintained an investment of at least £10 million), 3 years (if you have maintained an investment of at least £5 million) or 5 years (if you have maintained an investment of at least £2 million) lawfully in the UK as a Tier 1 Investor, with absences from the UK of no more than 180 days in any 12 months during the period;
  • Unless you are aged 65 or over, you have sufficient knowledge of the English language and Life in the UK.
If you invested in UK Government bonds you will need to submit your Tier 1 Investor visa ILR application before 6 April 2025. You can apply for ILR after 6 April 2025 if you move your qualifying investments out of UK Government bonds and into other qualifying investments before 6 April 2025.

Tier 1 Investor visa ILR: Initial Tier 1 Investor visa granted on or after 29 March 2019

If you successfully applied for your Tier 1 Investor visa on or after 29 March 2019, you will need to satisfy the following requirements in order to qualify for Tier 1 Investor ILR:
  • You have money of your own, under your own control, in the UK amounting to not less than £2 million;
  • You have invested your capital in the UK by way of share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies;
  • The investment was made no earlier than 12 months before the date of the application which led to the first grant of leave as a Tier 1 Investor Migrant;
  • You have maintained the level of investment for the whole of the remaining period of your leave;
  • You have spent a continuous period of either 2 years (if you have maintained an investment of at least £10 million), 3 years (if you have maintained an investment of at least £5 million) or 5 years (if you have maintained an investment of at least £2 million) lawfully in the UK as a Tier 1 Investor, with absences from the UK of no more than 180 days in any 12 months during the period;
  • Unless you are aged 65 or over, you have sufficient knowledge of the English language and Life in the UK.
Whichever route you apply under, the exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Need assistance?

Immigration rules regarding Tier 1 Investor Visa routes has made several major changes in the past 10 years. Considering the route has closed earlier in 2022 and Home Office made certain deadlines for applications, if you hold a Tier 1 Investor Visa, you should contact an immigration advisor as soon as possible to make a tailored plan for future extension/ILR applications. J & S Law Firm are experienced UK immigration specialists offering guidance and support to individuals in relation to their UK immigration status and making Home Office applications. We can advise on the eligibility criteria you will need to evidence and the process you will need to follow for your application. With over decades of experience, we always provide rock-solid support to our clients and help them achieve their goal efficiently and smoothly.

Whether you are applying for a UK visa or settlement, we are always here to help. For specialist UK immigration advice, contact us.

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