Tier 1 Entrepreneur Extension Visa Guidance
Tier 1 Entrepreneur Extension requirements are strict, specially the Genuine Entrepreneur Test. UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) team can visit your office to check genuineness of the business when you apply for extension.
Once you have successfully established your UK business under a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, it’s time to start preparing for an extension. The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa extension allows you and your dependants to continue to live and work in the UK after the expiry of your initial visa, which is valid for three years and four months. An extension will increase this time by two years, provided you meet all requirements.
Applying for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur extension is technically challenging. Many applicants are rejected because they have not met the necessary extension requirements. Careful attention to detail must be taken when applying for this visa extension to ensure success. Our team can work with you well in advance and advise you on required actions you should take during the initial three years to ensure you meet the extension criteria.
What Are the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Extension Requirements?
When applying for a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa extension, you must be able to prove the following evidence:
- You have invested your minimum funds of £50,000 or £200,000 into one or more UK businesses
- You are a director of a business, or you are self-employed in a UK business
- Your business activities have been genuine and continuous
- Your business has created at least two new full-time jobs for UK settled workers
- You possess sufficient funds for supporting yourself and your dependants in the UK
- You meet the English language proficiency requirements via:
- Nationality from an English-speaking country, or
- An accepted English language degree, or
- Successfully passing an accredited English language test
- Your business is credible, and you pass the Genuine Entrepreneur Test
Our team can assist you explaining these requirements, especially the Genuine Entrepreneur Test, which can diminish the chances of being interviewed by an immigration official and help in getting best possible result of your extension application.
When to Apply for the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Extension
You must submit your Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) extension application before your initial Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa expires. We will assist you with putting together the extension application and collating the necessary supporting documents / information.
What Documents Will I Need to Provide to Extend My Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa?
To apply for an extension on your Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa, you will need to provide the following supporting documents (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Your business accounts and an accounts compilation report provided by your accountant that shows the investment you have made in the business of £50,000 or £200,000 (applicable required funds).
- Proof of registration with the HMRC.
- Proof of company registration (if applicable).
- Evidence of the creation of two full-time jobs (30 hours per week) for settled workers that have existed for at least 12 months. You will need to provide passport copies, wage slips, HMRC documents of payment of salaries and correct taxes, employment contracts and evidence of the settled status of the employees.
How Can I Qualify for the Accelerated Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Extension Route?
You may be eligible for accelerated settlement if you meet the following criteria:
- Your UK business has created ten new jobs across the 3 years of your initial leave, or
- Your UK business has reached a turnover of at least £5 million over the 3 years of your initial leave.
If your objective is to achieve accelerated settlement, we can advise you from the beginning on how to achieve this, and work with you and your advisers to ensure you are on track throughout the initial three in the UK.
What Are the Advantages of Extending My Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa?
Extending your Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa has many advantages, including:
- Continuing your working rights
- Allowing the possibility of permanent residency after two years
- Once you have permanent residency, you and your dependants can apply for British Citizenship after qualifying period.
- You may combine the time spent in the UK under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa with time spent under other visa categories (if continuous lawful residence) to qualify for ten-year permanent residency rights
What Are My Options If My Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension Is Refused?
Having your Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) extension refused can be a disappointing, frustrating, and upsetting experience, for you and your family, and you may feel that you have limited options.
If your application has been refused, A Y & J Solicitors can assist you with:
- Applying for Administrative Review,
- Submit a new Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) extension application, or
- Commencing Judicial Review proceedings.
Our lawyers will analyse your circumstances and only advise Judicial Review if there is merit to the case. In a Judicial Review application, we would prepare and serve a Pre-action Protocol letter to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and state why the caseworker was wrong to refuse your extension application. If this does not result in the UKVI overturning their decision and grant your Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) extension Visa, we can then file with the Upper Tribunal an application for Judicial Review on your behalf.
Why Choose A Y & J Solicitors for Your Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Extension?
At A Y & J Solicitors, we have an experienced team with a proven track of success in securing our clients’ Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) extension visas. We will work carefully with you through every step, from the initial consultation until you receive decision on your extension.
We work differently, and our team are more than excellent lawyers. We sincerely care about the success of our clients and will work tirelessly to ensure that your goal of resolving immigration matter and achieving settlement is realised.
FAQs
Yes, all applicants are now required to pass the Genuine Entrepreneur Test when applying for an extension. We can assist you by advising on the correct evidence, not only relating to the success of your business but the role you played in its growth.
Yes, the UKVI will want to see evidence that you can support yourself and any dependants before granting an extension.
The immigration official looking at your extension application will want to see you have invested all of your £50,000 or £200,000 (whichever applicable) investment funds in your business by the time you apply for an extension. This can create problems, as obviously not all ventures need an initial injection of £200,000. In addition, spending all the funds could wipe out the capital reserves of the business while it is still in the vulnerable one to five-year stage (when most businesses fail).
Our team will work with you and your other professional advisers to ensure you meet the requirements of the entrepreneur visa extension.
Brochure of Tier 1 Entrepreneur Extension

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension
The initial Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa is valid for three years and four months. You must apply for extension before your initial visa expires. For your extension application to be approved you must satisfy a set of requirements as listed below: You must be registered as a director or as self-employed within six months from the date you were given permission to stay in the UK as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur); You must prove that you have been self-employed or working as a director of a business during visa period when you apply for the extension; You must have invested all your investment funds of £200,000 in one or more UK business;
Success Story on Tier 1 Entrepreneur Extension

Select the best Law firm while applying for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Extension Visa and avoid disappointment.
Have You Submitted an Extension Application and been Refused? Mrs C, a Non-EEA national, entered the UK on Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa after deciding to invest over 200,000 GBP into a local business in the United Kingdom. During her stay in the UK, Mrs C not only established a local business, but she also created…
Video on Tier 1 Entrepreneur Extension

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension
We are a specialised UK immigration law firm.
Today I want to talk to you about the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension.
If you’re currently in the UK on an Entrepreneur Visa, then I guess you’re a hard-working person. You’ve proven to the Home Office that you’ve got the skills and resources to start a business here and contributing to the UK economy.
Once you’ve received your initial visa, it is valid for 3 years and 4 months. Before it expires, you must apply for extension for another 2 years, which takes you to the 5-year qualifying period for your permanent residency. When you’ve lived in the UK under Tier 1 Entrepreneur category for 5 years, you could qualify for ILR – settlement subject to relevant immigration rules, and then one year later your British Citizenship. There are also some circumstances that enable you to apply for accelerated settlement in only 3 years.
You can see how important it is to have your Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa extension approved. Without it, you lose the permission to stay in the UK. If you have family with you, they also might have to leave if your visa extension application is denied.
Before you apply for your extension, make sure you’ve met the requirements.
Let’s talk about 5 basic but non-exhaustive requirements for tier1 entrepreneur extension.
Number 1: You must be registered as a director of your company or be self-employed at your business and registered as such with HMRC.
Number 2. You must have invested and spent your required funds in a valid UK business.
Number 3: you should have created at least two new full-time jobs for UK settled workers for at least 12 months.
Number 4: meet the maintenance requirement of the application.
Number 5: and Very importantly, the Home Office is also looking for proof that your business is legitimate and credible.
Let’s touch some possible visa refusal reasons. The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa extension is often denied because all the conditions have not been met or failure to submit specified evidence to support the application. It’s very important that the application is filled out carefully, and all documentations are included. Make sure that you include originals or certified copies, and that all documents support the Home Office’s requirements. You can request an Administrative Review to appeal a refusal, but the best approach is always to submit a strong application, the first time around to avoid any disappointment.
If you’re getting ready to apply for a Tier 1 visa extension, get your application fully prepared! Do you need a professional support and complete peace of mind for your t1 entrepreneur extension application??
We can use our expert knowledge and attention to detail to work for your successful application. Get in touch with us, our contact details are at the bottom of this video. We’re happy to help.
Thank you.
Hello everyone it’s a great place to get ur immigration matters done. AY&J solicitors got most experienced staff who helped me in getting my enterpreneur extention. They are very professional and honest, they advised me in a right way and gave me confidence in all the steps of my entrepreneur extention.