How you can extend Tier 1 Investor visa!

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The UK Investor Visa was tailored to meet the trade investments focus of applicants. The many promising investment opportunities in the UK make it a favourable option among investors. The initial Tier 1 Investor Visa is valid for three years and four months. You can then extend Tier 1 Investor Visa for another two years if you can meet all the eligibility criteria.

New restrictions went into effect in 2019 after a period of review, putting more stringent norms and criteria for those looking to extend their Tier 1 Investor Visa.
Our team of experts in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chandigarh has received many inquiries on the extension process of the UK Investor Visa.

The extension of a Tier 1 investor Visa is a lengthy process. During your stay in the UK, you will be needed to gather and submit significant documents to prove your investing activities. Our Tier 1 Experts can assist you.

To extend Tier 1 Investor Visa, you need to:

• Meet the eligibility criteria,
• Meet the requirements,
• Know how to apply & when to apply, and
• Submit the duly filled application form

But before applying for the Visa, you need to be mindful of the important points mentioned below:

Depending on when you successfully applied for your visa, eligibility for applying Tier 1 Investor visa extension may have changed.
If all of the following conditions are met and your application was approved before November 6, 2014, you may apply to renew your visa:

• You invested £750,000 in UK government bonds, share capital, or loan capital in active UK companies within three months of your ‘investor start date’
• You had at least £1 million under your control in the UK prior to 6 April 2020
• You had at least £2 million invested in UK government bonds, share capital, or loan capital in active UK companies

If all the following Tier 1 Investor Visa extension requirements are met and your application was approved on or after November 6, 2014, you may apply to renew your Visa:

• You are in possession of at least £2 million in the UK
• You invested this amount within three months of your “investor start date”
• You have invested the funds in the form of share capital or loan capital in active UK enterprises

If your Tier 1 Investor visa application was approved on or after March 29, 2019, you must meet the Tier 1 Investor Visa extension requirements below to be eligible for a stay extension:

• You must have made a minimum investment of £2 million in the UK through loans or shares of UK-registered businesses that are actively trading;
• Unless there are exceptionally compelling reasons for the delay in investing, you must have made your investment either
  1. within 3 months of your entry into the UK if you were granted entry clearance as a Tier 1 Investor and there is evidence to establish your date of entry into the UK, or
  2. within 3 months of the date of the grant of entry clearance or leave to remain as a Tier 1 Investor, or
  3. no earlier than 12 months before the application date that resulted in the first grant of leave;
• You have maintained the level of investment for the entirety of the remaining time of your leave.

You can apply for a Tier 1 Investor Visa extension at any point before your current Visa expires. However, we recommend applying for a UK Investor Visa extension no later than one month before your existing leave expires.

If you apply for a Tier 1 Investor Visa extension before this date, you may have a gap in your leave when it comes time to apply for settlement. Because the Home Office will extend your stay as a Tier 1 Investor for 2 years from the date of the decision, not from the day your present leave expires.

If you are in the UK, you must apply online to extend your Visa. Submit your biometric data and accompanying documentation: You will be required to schedule a visit at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service location to submit your biometric data when you apply (your fingerprints and a photo).

Additionally, you must send your supporting documentation. One can:

• Upload them on the online platform
• Or have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

• If you are not in the UK, you must apply online to extend your Visa.
• To obtain a biometric residency permit as part of your application, you must have your fingerprints and picture taken at a Visa application centre.
• Within 10 days after the date you claimed to have arrived in the UK, you must pick up your biometric residence permit (even if you actually arrive at a later date).
• Learn how to expedite the Visa approval process based on the country you are in.
• Verify what extra services and/or quicker choices your Visa application centre offers.

The processing time after Tier 1 Investor Visa Extension application after your application is submitted is:

• If you utilize the regular service, within 8 weeks after the date of your application
• If you select the priority service, within 5 working days following your UKVCAS appointment

The processing time after Tier 1 Investor Visa extension may be affected. You will be contacted by the UKVI if your Visa is taking longer to process due to complications such as:

• Issues with your supporting documents verification
• You need to attend an interview
• Criminal convictions or personal circumstances

Yes. Like all categories, Tier 1 Investor Visa extension application can be refused if an applicant fails to meet the eligibility criteria, requirements or other aspects of immigration.

Some common refusal reasons of a UK Investor visa extension are:

• Inconsistent documents
• Inconsistent information
• Complicated immigration history
• Application form mistakes
• Insufficient evidence to show investments

If your Tier 1 Investor Visa extension application is refused, you can contact our UK immigration lawyers to assist you in a successful extension application.

If a visa application does not meet the conditions of the visa, the Home Office may reject it. The application could be rejected, or the applicant could not be eligible for a visa.

The applicant’s request for a visa may be turned down if the UK Immigration Office believes, based on the details included in the visa application form, that there is no valid reason for the applicant’s intended trip to the UK. In addition, the applicant will get a Letter of Refusal outlining the grounds for the denial of the entrance.

If your UK Investor visa is refused, you have the following four options:
1. Administrative Review
2. Appeal to First Tier Tribunal
3. Judicial Review
4. Re-apply
*options will vary by category of visa applied