You can only apply to extend this visa if you are already in the UK on a valid Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa.

Depending how you applied for your initial Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa (on your own or part of a team), will determine how you can apply to extend.

To extend your Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, your initial visa would have been granted for 40 months if you applied under ‘Leave to Enter’ and 36 months if you switched into this visa route known as Leave to Remain and, you must apply online before your current visa expires and, demonstrate in your visa application that you have worked as a 'Genuine Entrepreneur' since your visa was approved.

You must be able to demonstrate you are working under a limited business as a director or, self-employed or partnership 3 months before you apply for your new visa.

Another key aspect is, have you complied to the immigration rules of Ter 1 Entrepreneur visa which includes employing two full time members of staff for at least 12 months and, you able to financially support yourself and any family members. To learn more about Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa go to this linkand read the guidance.

Depending on your initial investment route you were approved under, you must demonstrate that you have invested either £50,000 or £200,000.

You can only switch into Tier 1 Entrepreneur if you hold a valid Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa.

Can I settle via the Innovator visa route?

Yes, you can as long as you complied to the visa rules you are under.

Settlement period will depend whether your initial visa was under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain.

Leave to Enter Guideline

Your entry visa was under Tier 1 Entrepreneur which was approved on the 15 July 2016 and you landed in the UK on the 31 July 2016. You submitted an ‘In-time Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa which was approved. Based on the above dates, you can apply for settlement status no earlier than 3 July 2021.

Leave to Remain Guideline

Your applied in the UK on the 15 July 2016 to switch into Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa route from Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route, the Home Office approved the visa on the 12 September 2016. You then submitted an ‘In-time Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa which was approved. Based on the above dates, you can apply for settlement status no earlier than 15 August 20231.

What about my dependants?

They can also apply to settle in the UK. See section below for further guidance.

Can my family apply under this visa route?

All 'direct' family members can apply to enter the UK or apply to remain in the UK under this visa route as your dependants.

Who are 'Direct' family members?

• Married or Civil Partnership
• Fiancé, Fiancée or Proposed Civil Partnership
• Unmarried partner
• Children aged 0-17 (entry visa only)
• Children aged 18 and over (if in the UK already and entered the UK under aged 18).

Family members sometimes apply with their primary partner but often they apply at a later date.

Sometimes the primary partner obtains settlement once been in the UK 5 years and then bring their family members to the UK. Regardless when your family members apply as your dependant, if you obtained Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa and then family applied, they must apply under Tier 1 Entrepreneur PBS Dependants.

Criminal Record Checks

Adult family members (18 and over) must provide a criminal record certificate from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.

Financial Savings

Each family member applying under Leave to Enter or Leave to Remain must demonstrate in their visa application that they have held for 90 consecutive days either:

• £630.00
• £1890.00*

in a regulated financial institute per person applying as a family member.

*If you are applying to remain in the UK and you not yet been in the UK for 12 months, you must provide this sum.