Am I eligible for an Entrepreneur visa?
No, unless you made your application prior to 29 March 2019.
Entrepreneur Extension & Settlement Visas
This category was previously called the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa, and it closed to new applicants on 29 March 2019. Those already holding leave as entrepreneurs will be able to extend their stay and secure settlement, subject to meeting relevant requirements of the Immigration Rules.
What are the extension and settlement requirements?
In order to qualify for further leave to remain as an Entrepreneur, you must have registered as a company director or registered as self employed with HMRC within 6 months of entry, be able to prove your investment of at least £200,000 in a new or existing business in the UK, and show that your involvement created at least 2 full-time jobs in your first 3 years of involvement with the business. The English language requirement for an extension remains at leave B1, and maintenance funds must once again be shown. UK Visas and Immigration will also assess your business activities in the first 3 years, to decide whether you are a genuine entrepreneur.
You must also comply with residence requirements – essentially spending at least half your time inside the UK, engaged in business activities.
An accelerated settlement route exists for individuals whose business has created at least 10 jobs, or has generated turnover exceeding £5 million. If seeking to settle in the standard way after 5 years in this category, you must again provide evidence of job creation in your last period of leave and pass the Life in the UK test.
How we can help
Our expert solicitors can assist individuals with their Entrepreneur extension and settlement applications by providing in-depth guidance about the requirements, and we can also prepare the entire application which is accompanied by a detailed representations document explaining how the relevant Immigration Rules are met.
Why choose Latitude Law?
Latitude Law demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of immigration law, Home Office policy and case law. We have an excellent success rate for entrepreneur cases, combined with an exceptional reputation as one of the UK’s leading immigration solicitors. We work tirelessly to ensure we prepare your case, ensuring you have the correct documentation and knowledge to succeed in the complex application process.
Entrepreneur Visa Q&As
Can I extend my Entrepreneur visa?
You must extend your visa up to 28 days before your current visa expires. In order to be eligible, you must:
- Be able to prove you’re self-employed, working in a partnership or be an active director
- Have invested at least £200,000 in new or existing UK business
- Hold maintenance funds for you and your family
- Have created at least 2 full-time jobs which have existed for a minimum of 12 months in your initial 3 years’ leave Once the application has been sent, you are eligible to remain in the UK until a decision has been granted, as long as the application was made prior to your previous leave expiring.
You can read more about extending your entrepreneur visa here.
What should I do if my application for an Entrepreneur visa is refused?
Entrepreneur Visas have one of the highest refusal rates of all UK visas, with over 1/3 of applicants being refused. Due to the complex nature of applying as an entrepreneur, we suggest seeking the advice of an experienced immigration solicitor.
What can I do to minimise the risk of refusal?
To minimalise the risk of your application being refused, it is essential that you are thoroughly prepared for each part of the process. You will be asked to provide evidence of your business activities in the UK, and may be interviewed by a Home Office official.
If you require assistance, our team of experts can assist to ensure you’re fully prepared and guide you through the complex process.
Entrepreneur Visa Settlement
If you need help settling in the Entrepreneur route, Latitude Law's immigration solicitors can guide you through the strict eligibility and specified evidence requirements.
Our experts
What our clients say…
From securing skilled worker sponsor licence to dealing with visa applications
"Dear Gemma and Victoria, I wanted to thank you for your amazing effort! This is a personal achievement for me as a director of a small SME. It feels great that our firm is now able to sponsor workers and we could only do it with your guidance and professional help"
Mr Maida - Beta Design Consultants
April 2023
Assisting partner & step-son of British citizen with securing UK entry clearance to successfully naturalising / registering as British citizens
“My wife & I wish to thank Gemma and the team at Latitude Law for the professional , supportive and successful service you have provided for us. We are so pleased with all that we have achieved with you and your team. Thank you again.”
Mr & Mrs Williams
April 2023
Successful entrepreneur and partner dependant visas
Deciding to choose Latitude Law firm for my visa application was the best decision my husband made. They first assisted him with his tier-1 Entrepreneur visa which was a success and later my PBS partner-dependent visa.
My first two applications were refused due to lack of relationship evidence as my marriage was fairly new at that time. Similarly we went ahead with the administrative review which again upheld the decision to refuse my application. This painstaking process was two years long which took a toll on my mental health.
By the blessing of God, we came across Mr.Hafejee at Latitude Law. His excellence, determination and guidance helped us at every step of our application. Mr.Hafejee was extremely patient with our countless queries and calmed our anxiety humbly. He is one of the most approachable solicitors we ever came across and is equipped with brilliance in his field of work. He helped me reunite with my husband after 2 years and the credit goes to his hard work behind our application.
My husband and I will always be thankful to Mr.Hafejee and his brilliant team for the wonderful service they provide. They surely are the best in this field and would truly recommend their services to everyone.
All content on this page was reviewed by Latitude Law and is accurate as of 11/07/2021