From 17 February 2022, the Tier 1 (Investor) visa route is closed to all fresh applications for entry clearance or leave to remain (switch into this route from other immigration routes). This visa was for high-net-worth individuals making a substantial financial investment in the UK.

However, those already having this visa (or had one in the last 12 months and it was their most recent visa) can still apply in 2026 for their Tier 1 Investor Visa extension and then ILR or settlement in the UK.

Eligibility for extending Tier 1 Investor Visa 

A Tier 1 Investor visa holder may be able to get their permission extended by 2 years. They must apply for an extension before their current visa expires.

The investment was the key criterion for this visa. For an extension of this visa, investment eligibility requirements depend on when the individual successfully applied for their Tier 1 Investor Visa.

Extensions of Tier 1 Investor visa for applicants granted initial leave before 6 November 2014

A Tier 1 Investor can apply to extend their visa if they:

• have invested no less than £2 million in the UK government bonds, share capital, or loan capital in active UK-registered companies since 6 April 2020; and

• had no less than £1 million (out of the £2 million or more) of their own and under their control in the UK prior to 6 April 2020; and

• invested no less than £750,000 in qualifying investments which include UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies within 3 months of their ‘investor start date’ (often also called the “specified date”).

If a person’s initial Tier 1 (Investor) visa was granted under the Rules in place before 6 November 2014, they do not need to have maintained investments of £2 million throughout the period of their leave. They must have maintained investments of £1 million, and they must increase this to investments of £2 million before applying for an extension.

Extensions of Tier 1 Investor visa for applicants granted initial leave on or after 6 November 2014

Such Tier 1 Investors can apply for an extension of their visa if they have:

• £2 million or more under their control in the UK; and

• invested those funds in share capital or loan capital in active UK-registered companies; and

• invested this sum within 3 months of their ‘investor start date.’

Those who successfully applied prior to 29 March 2019 can also apply to extend if they invested their funds in UK government bonds.

The applicant’s 'investor start date' is either the date of their arrival in the UK (if they have proof of this) or the date of their original visa application or application to switch from a different UK visa category being approved (if they cannot show their date of entry).

All Extension Applications

In all Tier 1 Investor Visa extension applications:

• Applicants may choose to withdraw any interest or dividend income earned from their qualifying investments, as long as they maintain the qualifying investment themselves

• Charges such as portfolio management fees, transaction expenses, and any taxes arising from the purchase or sale of investments must not be paid using the investment funds relied upon to meet the points requirement.

• Where an applicant has invested funds in excess of the minimum required amount, those additional funds may be used to cover the above fees, transaction costs, and taxes, provided the surplus investment was made at the same time as, or prior to, the costs being incurred.

Documents Required

The applicant will be required to provide: 

• Their valid passport or other travel document showing their identity and nationality

• Proof of their TB (Tuberculosis) test results if they are from a country where they have to take this test

• A criminal record certificate from any country they have stayed in for a total of at least 12 months over the last 10 years

• Investment portfolio reports from a UK-regulated financial institution that show the applicant has satisfied the investment eligibility requirements and maintained their investments for the whole of their visa

The UKVI may ask the applicant to provide additional documents. 

Any documents not in English or Welsh must be submitted with a certified translation.

Applying for the Tier 1 Investor Visa extension from within the UK

The applicant must apply online from within the UK before their current UK visa expires. The deadline for an extension application on this route is 17 February 2026  

They will have to prove their identity as part of their visa application. They will need to have their biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph) taken at a UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service) service point.

Pay the visa fee and the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge)

The applicant will need to pay the visa extension application fee of £2,000 and an immigration health charge, which is usually £1,035 per year.

Provide the documents

The applicant can upload their documents along with their online application or have them scanned at the UKVCAS.

After having applied, the applicant can stay in the UK until they are given a decision, as long as they applied for their visa extension before their last visa expired.

Applying for the Tier 1 Investor Visa extension from outside the UK

The applicant must apply online before 17 February 2026.

They will have to prove their identity as part of their application. For this purpose, they will need to have their biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph) taken at a VAC (Visa Application Centre).

Pay the visa fee and the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge)

The applicant will need to pay the visa application fee of £880 and an immigration health charge, which is usually £1,035 per year.

Provide the documents

The applicant can upload their documents along with their online application or have them scanned at the VAC (if attending an appointment to enrol their biometrics).

Getting a decision on an application for a Tier 1 Investor visa extension

After having applied online, proving identity, and providing the documents, the applicant will normally get a decision within 8 weeks.

If the application is complex and will take longer, they will be contacted, for example, because:

• UKVI needs to verify the documents of the applicant

• The applicant is required to attend an interview

• Of the applicant’s personal circumstances (for example, if they have a criminal conviction)

If the decision maker is completely satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled all the suitability and eligibility criteria for the Tier 1 Investor route, the application will be approved; otherwise, the application will be refused.  

Successful applicant gets an eVisa - a digital record of their identity and immigration status.

Validity of the visa if the application for visa extension on the Tier 1 Investor route is approved

The applicant can stay for 2 years in the UK if their application for their visa extension on the Tier 1 Investor route is approved. 

Applying for family members 

If eligible, the UK Tier 1 Investor visa holder’s 

• partner (husband/wife or civil partner) and 

• children (aged under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during the lead applicant’s stay in the UK or children aged over 18 if they currently have permission (‘leave to enter’ or ‘remain’) to be in the UK as the lead applicant’s dependant), 

can apply (from inside the UK or outside the UK) to join them in the UK as their ‘dependants’. 

The dependents must apply for their own visa. For each dependent, the application fee is £2,000. They will be required to enrol their biometrics as well.

How can Visa and Migration help?

Immigration lawyers at Visa and Migration have the 100% expertise in the UK’s immigration rules and Home Office guidance, including that for the UK Tier 1 Investor Visa. 

If you are holding a valid Tier 1 Investor visa and want to apply for an extension of it, we can help you in assessing and ensuring you fulfil the eligibility and suitability requirements for this visa extension, meet the investment requirement, make a valid application, pay the required application fee and any Immigration Health Surcharge, and provide the necessary documents. We also ensure that any visa refusal is handled appropriately.

For expert advice and queries, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write to info@visaandmigration.com