UK Tier 1 Investor Visa: Key Extension And Settlement Deadlines Before Final Closure

[Editor2]

The UK’s Tier 1 (Investor) visa was designed to attract high-net-worth individuals by offering residence in exchange for significant investment in the UK economy. Although the route closed to new applicants in 2022, existing visa holders still have a limited opportunity to extend their stay or secure permanent residence—provided they act before two critical deadlines.


Understanding these deadlines and the remaining eligibility requirements is essential for investors who wish to preserve their UK status or progress toward settlement.

Overview of the Tier 1 (Investor) Visa​

Under the Tier 1 (Investor) route, applicants were required to invest a minimum of £2 million in qualifying UK assets. In return, they could apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years, with faster settlement options available for higher investment levels:

• £2 million → ILR after five years
• £5 million → ILR after three years
• £10 million → ILR after two years

While the category is now closed to new entrants, current visa holders may still extend their permission or apply for settlement within strict time limits.

Critical Deadlines to Note​

• Extension applications must be submitted by 17 February 2026
• Settlement (ILR) applications must be submitted by 17 February 2028

After these dates, the Tier 1 (Investor) route will permanently close, with no further extensions or settlement applications permitted under this category.

Why These Deadlines Matter​

The closure of the Investor route creates a finite window for existing visa holders. Missing the extension deadline in 2026 may prevent individuals from maintaining lawful status, while missing the ILR deadline in 2028 may permanently remove the option to settle in the UK under this route.


As a result, investors should carefully review their immigration history, investment compliance, and residence patterns well in advance.

Who Can Still Qualify Under the Investor Route?​

Existing Tier 1 (Investor) visa holders may still qualify for extension or settlement if they have:

• Maintained the required investment level
• Met physical residence requirements in the UK
• Satisfied English language requirements
• Passed the Life in the UK Test (for ILR)

Dependants must meet their own eligibility criteria and do not automatically qualify for settlement based on the main applicant’s investment.

Extension vs Settlement: Timing and Risk Considerations​

Extension Applications (Deadline: 17 February 2026)​

Investors who currently hold valid Tier 1 (Investor) permission may apply for an extension until the February 2026 deadline. This deadline is fixed and cannot be extended.


Key points include:

• Applications can be made from inside or outside the UK
• Investments must have been made within three months of entering the category
• Funds must be held in approved asset classes
• Investments must be managed by an FCA-regulated institution
• A successful extension grants two additional years of leave

Settlement (ILR) Applications (Deadline: 17 February 2028)​

The final opportunity to obtain settlement under this route is 17 February 2028.


Key requirements include:

• Application must be made from within the UK
• The applicant must be physically present in the UK on the date of application
• Continuous compliance with the permitted absence rule (no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period)
• Ongoing maintenance of qualifying investments
• Passing the Life in the UK Test
• Meeting English language requirements at CEFR Level B1 or above, unless exempt

When an Extension May Be More Appropriate Than ILR​

Some investors may not be ready to apply for settlement before their current visa expires. Common issues include:

• Excessive absences from the UK
• Difficulty passing the Life in the UK Test
• Challenges meeting English language requirements

In these cases, applying for an extension before February 2026—if eligible—may help preserve lawful status and allow additional time to explore settlement or alternative immigration routes.

Why Early Action Is Essential​

With the Tier 1 (Investor) route nearing permanent closure, proactive planning is critical. Investors who still have time remaining in their qualifying residence period may, in some cases, be able to accelerate settlement by increasing their investment to £5 million or £10 million.


Given the strict deadlines, detailed documentation requirements, and potential risks of non-compliance, early assessment and preparation can make the difference between securing long-term status and losing access to the route altogether.

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Pros and Cons Summary​

Pros​

• Final opportunity for existing investors to secure UK settlement
• Accelerated ILR options remain available at higher investment levels
• Extension option provides additional flexibility before settlement
• Clear deadlines allow for structured planning

Cons​

• No new applications accepted under the Investor route
• Strict, non-extendable deadlines
• Complex investment and residence requirements
• Settlement options permanently close after February 2028

 

[adamhholmes]

People keep missing how final this actually is. The Tier 1 Investor route is not just paused, it is effectively on a countdown timer. Extension deadline 17 Feb 2026, settlement deadline 17 Feb 2028. After that, there is no discretion, no transitional arrangements. If your qualifying investment was not maintained correctly, the Home Office will refuse without hesitation. I have seen this happen already.

 

[jennifer.javier]

People keep missing how final this actually is. The Tier 1 Investor route is not just paused, it is effectively on a countdown timer. Extension deadline 17 Feb 2026, settlement deadline 17 Feb 2028. After that, there is no discretion, no transitional arrangements. If your qualifying investment was not maintained correctly, the Home Office will refuse without hesitation. I have seen this happen already.

Thanks for laying it out. One thing I am still unsure about. If someone qualifies for ILR in 2027 but waits too long and applies close to 2028, is there any risk if processing takes time? Or is it enough to just submit before the deadline?

 

[mattm]

Thanks for laying it out. One thing I am still unsure about. If someone qualifies for ILR in 2027 but waits too long and applies close to 2028, is there any risk if processing takes time? Or is it enough to just submit before the deadline?

From my experience helping a colleague through this, the submission date is what matters, not the decision date. But you really do not want to leave it late. Life in the UK test slots get booked up and absences can catch people out when they finally do the maths. Planning early saved us a lot of stress.

 

[mike1985]

I might be wrong here, but it feels like the extension option is underrated. Not everyone is ready for ILR when their visa expires. If someone has travel-heavy business commitments, the 180-day rule can be brutal. Extension gives breathing room, assuming they apply before Feb 2026.

 

[rogerthomson]

I am still sceptical about the accelerated settlement claims. Increasing investment to 5 or 10 million sounds good on paper, but has anyone actually verified that the Home Office is still processing those faster routes consistently this late in the scheme’s life? Guidance and real-world outcomes are not always aligned.

 

[williamson1996]

So basically the visa has turned into a game show. Answer the Life in the UK questions correctly, do not leave the country too much, invest millions, and beat the clock before Feb 2028. No pressure at all. Winner gets ILR, losers get a very expensive lesson.

 

[steven.harrington]

What stands out to me is that the deadlines are clear, but the preparation required is not trivial. Investment compliance, residence tracking, and testing requirements all intersect. Anyone relying on assumptions rather than documented evidence is taking a serious risk. Early legal review is not optional here; it is essential.