UK Tier 1 Investor Visa Extension

What Was The Tier 1 Investor Visa

The UK Investor Visa, formally known as the Tier 1 Investor Visa, was designed to attract high-net-worth individuals and their families by offering a route to permanent settlement in exchange for significant investment in the UK economy.

Introduced in 1994, the visa allowed eligible applicants to invest a minimum of £2 million in shares or bonds issued by active and trading UK-registered companies. It offered the fastest route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) of all UK visa categories, as quickly as 2 years.

Over the years, the route underwent several reforms to tighten regulatory oversight, strengthen due diligence (including enhanced KYC checks), and assess the broader impact of foreign investment on UK interests.

The route was closed to new applicants on 17 February 2022.

UK Investor Visa Alternatives

Although the Tier 1 Investor Visa has closed, high-net-worth individuals may still have viable routes to enter and settle in the UK.

Innovator Founder Visa

The Innovator Founder visa is designed for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish and run an innovative business in the UK. It offers a clear path to settlement after 3 years, provided the company meets specific criteria for innovation, viability, and scalability.

Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent visa is for individuals recognised as leaders or emerging leaders in academia, research, arts, or digital technology. It does not require a job offer and provides a flexible route to UK settlement.

UK Expansion Worker Visa

The UK Expansion Worker visa is aimed at senior employees responsible for launching a branch of an overseas business in the UK. While it does not lead directly to settlement, the visa allows temporary work in the UK as part of a broader business expansion strategy.

Extending an Existing Investor Visa

Tier 1 Investor visa holders can apply for an extension until 17 February 2026, provided you meet the relevant investment and residency requirements. These include maintaining the qualifying investment for the required period and demonstrating a lawful source of funds.

Visa Extensions for Dependents

Dependents of Tier 1 Investor visa holders can apply to extend your visas simultaneously as the principal applicant. The extension application should include all family members, including children who have turned 18 during the visa period.

Eligibility Criteria for Investor Visa Extensions

Extension requirements depend on when you were initially granted your Tier 1 Investor visa. The rules differ slightly based on whether you applied before or on/after 6 November 2014.

Investor Visa Before 6 November 2014

You must show that:

• You invested at least £1 million in the UK within 3 months of your entry date or visa approval.
• At least 75% of the investment was in UK government bonds or share capital/loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies.
• The remaining 25% could be held in UK assets or as cash on deposit in a UK-regulated financial institution.
• The investment was maintained throughout the required period.

Investor Visa On or After 6 November 2014

You must show that:

• You invested at least £2 million in the UK within 3 months of entering the UK or your visa approval.
• 100% of the investment was made in share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies (investment in government bonds is no longer permitted).
• The investment has been maintained for the entire qualifying period.
• You have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in 12 months.

Required Documentation

When applying to extend your Tier 1 Investor visa, you must provide evidence that you meet all eligibility criteria. Key documents include:

• Passport
• Biometric Residence Permit or eVisa
• Portfolio reports and letter from a UK-regulated financial institution showing:
  • Initial investment amount
  • Qualifying investments made within the required timeframe
  • Continuous maintenance of the investment
• Transaction evidence, such as contract notes or custodian reports, confirming the purchase of qualifying investments
• Evidence of UK-regulated financial institution status
• Criminal record certificates from any country lived in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years (if applying from outside the UK)
• Evidence of continuous residence in the UK (e.g. travel history)

All documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.

Processing Times

The standard processing time for a Tier 1 Investor visa extension is up to 8 weeks from the date of your biometric enrolment. Complex cases or those requiring additional checks may take longer.

Fees

The current fee to apply for a Tier 1 Investor visa extension from within the UK is £2,000 per applicant, plus Immigration Health Surcharge and any optional Priority service fee.

In addition, all applicants must pay an Immigration Health Surcharge, which grants access to the National Health Service during their stay in the UK.

How to Apply for a Tier 1 Investor Visa Extension

You can apply is 3 months before you travel, and you must apply to extend your Tier 1 Investor visa before your current leave expires. While applying from within the UK is generally advisable, it is also possible to do so abroad.

Applicants should carefully assess potential risks, including processing delays, impact on ILR eligibility, and time spent outside the UK.

Applications from abroad are treated as extensions if submitted within 12 months of holding previous leave. However, Indefinite Leave to Remain must be applied for from within the UK.

!How_to=How to Apply for a Tier 1 Investor Visa Extension

Fast-Track Settlement Options

The Tier 1 Investor visa offered an accelerated route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) based on the level of investment made in the UK. This made it a compelling option for high-net-worth individuals seeking permanent residency and eventual British citizenship.

Applicants who maintained qualifying investments in active and trading UK-registered companies could apply for ILR after a minimum residence period, depending on the amount invested:

These accelerated ILR options applied only to the principal applicant. Dependants must qualify for settlement under the standard 5-year residence requirement.

Applying for ILR After Your Investor Visa Extension

After successfully extending your Tier 1 Investor visa, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) once you have completed the required period of continuous residence in the UK under this route.

The qualifying period depends on the total amount you invested:

You must have maintained your qualifying investment and met the residence requirement (no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months) to qualify.

The deadline to apply for ILR under this route is 17 February 2028.

Once you have held ILR for 12 months, you may be eligible to apply for British citizenship, subject to meeting all other requirements.

Get Support With Investor Visa Extensions

Extending your Tier 1 Investor visa involves strict eligibility criteria and detailed financial documentation. Our experienced immigration team can guide you through each step, ensuring your application is accurate, compliant, and submitted on time.

We help reduce the risk of refusal—saving you time, stress, and unnecessary costs—while maximising your chances of a successful outcome.