Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension (UK)

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa route was designed for overseas businesspeople who wished to invest in or establish and run a business in the UK as a sole trader, partnership member, or company director. Although the route is now closed to new applicants, existing visa holders may still be eligible to extend their leave or apply for settlement (ILR) under transitional arrangements.

Deluxe Law Chambers’ specialist immigration solicitors can advise you on Entrepreneur visa extensions, settlement applications, or alternative business visa routes now available.

What Was the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa?

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa allowed foreign nationals to establish, join, or take over UK businesses. Although closed to new entrants, individuals already in this route may still extend their visa or qualify for settlement.

This visa required access to investment funds of:

• £200,000 (standard route), or
• £50,000 (for those switching from the Graduate Entrepreneur category or certain approved funding sources)

Entrepreneur visa holders were able to:

• Live in the UK
• Establish and actively run a UK business
• Bring dependent family members
• Apply for further leave
• Qualify for accelerated ILR after 3 years (if 10 jobs were created or business turnover reached £5 million)

Extending Your Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa

If you currently hold leave as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur migrant, you may apply for an extension provided you have complied with the conditions of your initial grant.

The initial visa was typically granted for 3 years and 4 months. Before it expires, you may apply to extend your stay if you have:

• Invested the required funds
• Established or joined a UK business
• Created qualifying jobs
• Actively managed the business

Deadline for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extensions

Transitional deadlines apply:

• If you did NOT previously hold a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa, you must have applied for extensions by 6 April 2023.
• If you DID previously hold a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa, the extension deadline was 6 July 2025.

If you are unsure about your immigration position, urgent legal advice is strongly recommended.

Eligibility Requirements for an Entrepreneur Visa Extension

You must demonstrate that you have:

1. Invested the Required Funds

• At least £200,000 or £50,000, depending on your original route
• Funds must have been genuinely invested into UK business activity

2. Registered Properly

You must have:

• Registered as a company director or as self-employed within 6 months of initial visa grant
• Continued to be registered within the 3 months before applying for extension

3. Created Employment

You must have created at least two full-time jobs for settled workers. These jobs must:

• Have existed for a minimum of 12 months
• Comply with UK employment law
• Meet minimum wage and working hour requirements

4. Been Actively Involved in the Business

You must show that you:

• Established, joined, or took over a UK business
• Are actively running the business
• Intend to continue operating it

5. Meet Other Immigration Requirements

• English language at CEFR B1
• Sufficient maintenance funds
• No breach of immigration rules

Supporting Documents

Document requirements are technical and must be precise. Common documents include:

• HMRC registration (self-employment) or Companies House records
• Business accounts (audited or properly prepared unaudited accounts)
• Evidence of investment (director’s loan agreements, bank statements, financial records)
• PAYE records and Real Time Information submissions
• Employee contracts, payslips, job descriptions, and payroll summaries

Errors in financial documentation are a frequent cause of refusal, so professional review is essential.

Why Clients Choose Deluxe Law Chambers?

With offices in Manchester and London, Deluxe Law Chambers provides expert legal advice for all UK visa and immigration matters. Our experienced immigration lawyers are committed to making the visa process clear, efficient, and stress-free from start to finish.

• Our team has over 11 years of practical experience of working in UK immigration law firms and stays fully up to date with the latest Home Office rules and guidance, ensuring accurate and reliable legal advice.
• Every immigration case is different. Our immigration solicitors take the time to understand your circumstances and provide tailored legal solutions that meet your specific needs.
• Where eligible, we offer Priority and Super Priority UK visa services to help you obtain faster immigration decisions.
• We offer flexible video, telephone, and in-person appointments from our Manchester office, assisting clients across the UK and overseas.
• Our immigration lawyers are available seven days a week, including weekends, for urgent and time-sensitive immigration matters.
• We provide clear fixed-fee pricing, with instalment options available and no hidden costs.

At Deluxe Law Chambers, our SRA-regulated immigration solicitors are committed to delivering professional, honest, and results-driven UK immigration advice you can trust.