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Tier 1 Investor Visa Extensions

Written by
Ami Koya

The Tier 1 Investor visa was designed for high net-worth individuals seeking to invest in the UK. The rules required applicants to invest a minimum of £2 million in UK companies or government bonds. This route was closed to new entrants on 17 February 2022.

Although the visa route has been closed to new applicants, current Tier 1 Investors can still apply for extensions to their own visas before 17 February 2026. This extension is valid for two years. After this period, the applicant may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) before 17 February 2028, if eligible.

  • If you have invested £2 million, you can apply for ILR after 5 years.
  • If you have invested £5 million, you can apply after 3 years.
  • If you have invested £10 million, you can apply after 2 years.

Eligibility

If you successfully applied for your initial Tier 1 Investor visa before 6 November 2014, you can extend your visa if all the following apply:

  • You have invested at least £2 million in UK government bonds, share capital, or loan capital since 6 April 2020.
  • You had at least £1 million under your control in the UK before 6 April 2020.
  • You invested at least £750,000 in UK government bonds, share capital, or loan capital in active UK companies within 3 months of the 'investor start date' (either the date you entered the UK or the date your original visa was approved).

If you successfully applied for your initial Tier 1 Investor visa on or after 6 November 2014, you can extend your visa if all the following apply:

  • You have invested not less than £2 million in qualifying investments in the UK, such as share capital or loan capital in active, trading UK-registered companies.
  • You invested the funds within 3 months of your 'investor start date' and maintained the required level of investment throughout the remaining period of your leave.

Documents Required for the Application

In addition to supporting documents such as your passport, biometric residence permit, proof of maintenance funds, bank statements, Home Office correspondence, and the document checklist, your investment portfolio must include the following:

  • A series of investment portfolio reports, certified as accurate by a UK-regulated financial institution, which must:
  1. Cover the required reporting period, beginning no later than the end of the 3-month investment window.
  2. Continue up to the last reporting date before the application date.
  3. Include the price paid for each investment.
  4. Certify that the total investment amount was maintained throughout.
  5. Indicate the dates the investments were made.
  6. Specify the destination of the investments.
  7. Confirm that the investments were made in your name or that of your spouse or partner.
  8. State that the institution will verify the report contents with the Home Office upon request.
  9. Confirm that the portfolio is unencumbered and not secured against any loans.
  10. Confirm that none of the investments relied upon are prohibited.

Conclusion

While the Tier 1 Investor route is closed to new applicants, extensions are still available for existing visa holders if applying before 17 February 2026, and eligible individuals can still apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) before 17 February 2028.