Entrepreneur Visa Extension

You can extend your Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa if you meet the following requirements:

• Have invested into one or more UK businesses at least £50,000 (or £200,000) in cash
• Have created at least two full-time job positions, which have existed for at least 12 months
• Can continue to support yourself and your firm
• Have registered as a director of your company, a member of a partnership or as self-employed no more than six months after you received your Tier 1 Entrepreneur permit
• Have been working in your position for three months before your application

Applicants who wish to renew their Tier 1 Entrepreneur permit are subject to a Genuine Entrepreneur Test. An applicant needs to demonstrate that they:

• Have established or taken over a genuine and successful business in the UK
• Have invested capital into one or more businesses in the country
• Intend to continue operating as the owner or the director of their company
• Do not intend to take any other employment

To get your extension, you must score 75 points.

The UKVI will base its decision on several factors, such as the credibility of your sources and documents, your immigration history and background, and the adequacy of your business plan.

One of the conditions for international entrepreneurs is to create sustainable jobs for their employees. During your first leave, you are required to create at least two jobs, which must exist for at least 12 months and must be maintained at the time of your renewal request.

The following are the rules to meet the job creation requirement:

• You must create either a full-time job (involving at least 30 hours of paid work a week) or two or more part-time positions which together add up to 30 hours a week
• Each job needs to consist of 12 consecutive months with the same tasks

You can apply for a visa extension either from within the UK or abroad by completing the online form.

As a part of your visa renewal, you will need to book an appointment at your nearest UKVCAS service point to provide your biometric information. Here you can also submit your bundle of supporting evidence.

Also, you may be summoned for an interview while the UKVI assess your case.

It must be noted that you will not be allowed to travel abroad while your application is still pending. If you leave the UK even temporarily, your request will be withdrawn.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension Advice

Although the Entrepreneur Visa is not open for new applications, those who already hold it are allowed to extend their stay and preserve their company. To be eligible, you must demonstrate that your business is successful. At IAS, our immigration lawyers are ready to help.

Call us on 0333 363 8577 or make an enquiry online to find out if you qualify for an Entrepreneur Visa extension.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension Application

One of our immigration lawyers can work with you to make sure that you are fully prepared for your Entrepreneur Visa extension. Since your case will be scrutinised in detail, it is essential to receive expert help in preparing the correct documentation for your business.

Call us on 0333 363 8577 or make an enquiry online to learn more about our services for international entrepreneurs.

Only entrepreneurs who have established or taken over an efficient business activity can submit an application to extend their visa.

Your business must be considered “new”, meaning that it must have been established no earlier than 12 months before the date you got your first Entrepreneur Visa (or 24 months if you were previously granted a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur permit).

Since the Home Office has the right to assess your firm’s activities at any time, you must always keep track of the following:

• An overview of the goods and services you provide to your customers or clients
• Job titles and job descriptions of your personnel
• An up-to-date business plan

When submitting your forms, you must provide a bundle of supporting documents that contain your business accounts and details of your investment. The UKVI will need access to the following:

• Your business’ audited statements (if applicable)
• Your business’ accounts compilation report (if applicable)
• Evidence of your investment (in money) which you made directly to your business. Bear in mind that the investment proof must show your name
• A letter from one or more seed funding competitions or the Devolved Government Departments
• A confirmation letter from the Department for International Trade

If you made your investment in the form of a director’s loan, the money transaction must show in your business bank statements. You must also provide a legal agreement between yourself and the company.

It costs £1,277 to extend your visa.

You also need to take into account an additional charge of £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and photos) taken at your nearest UKVCAS centre.

You should receive a decision on your application within eight weeks.

You will be contacted if the Home Office needs further documentation to evaluate your case. Unfortunately, if the Home Office requires additional documentation, it will delay your case. In consideration of this, it is vital that you submit your application in time, and before your current visa expires.

You can seek Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK after five years of continuous and lawful residence in the country under Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa.

You can submit your ILR application up to 28 days before you will reach the end of your authorised stay. However, in order to be eligible, you must not have spent more than 180 days outside of the UK.

You must also meet additional requirements, as stated by UK immigration law.

If the gross income of the firm that you have created or taken over reaches at least £5 million, you can apply for accelerated settlement, and get ILR after only three years of qualifying residence in the UK.

Yes, any family members who joined you in the UK when you first got your visa can remain with you. You can include your partner and your dependents in your application, including children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Each eligible dependant must provide a bundle of documents, including their criminal record certificates. Also, you must prove that you can support your family.

Each of your family members must have a certain amount of money available in a bank account for at least 90 days before your application.

You must also be able to show:

• £1,890 for each dependant if you have been in the UK for less than 12 months
• £630 for each family member if you have been in the country for more than 12 months

If you need support with your extension, contact our offices in London, Manchester, or Birmingham, or use our office finder to find your closest office.