Investor Visa Extension is now a legacy UK immigration issue for people who already hold, or recently held, Tier 1 (Investor) permission. The route is closed to new initial applications, and the official Home Office guidance states that extension applications had to be made before 17 February 2026.
Legacy Tier 1 (Investor) route — extension deadline passed; settlement applications must be made before 17 February 2028.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-08.
TL;DR
Tier 1 (Investor) extension applications were for legacy Investor migrants seeking a further 2 years, with a Home Office fee of £2,000 per person and a standard decision time of 8 weeks. However, Home Office caseworker guidance says extension applications had to be made before 17 February 2026; the remaining key date is the settlement deadline before 17 February 2028. This page is therefore for legacy status review, late-risk planning and ILR preparation, not new Investor applications.
£2,000
Extension fee per person
2 years
Extension grant length
17 Feb 2028
Settlement deadline
What is an Investor Visa Extension?
An Investor Visa Extension was the extension process for people with Tier 1 (Investor) permission who needed more time in the UK before settlement. GOV.UK still describes the extension as a 2-year grant, but Home Office caseworker guidance makes clear that the route is closed to new initial applications and that extension applications had to be made before 17 February 2026.
This means the phrase “Investor Visa Extension” now needs careful handling. As of July 2026, the official extension deadline has passed; the key live issue for many legacy Investor migrants is whether they can make a settlement application before 17 February 2028, protect family members’ position or move into another immigration route.
The Tier 1 (Investor) route was for high-net-worth migrants making substantial financial investment in the UK. Applicants were generally required to show at least £2 million under their control and investment in permitted UK investments, with detailed evidence depending on when their original permission was granted.
Because the route is closed and the dates are fixed, legacy Investor migrants should review portfolio evidence, residence, absences, dependants and settlement timing well before the 2028 deadline.
Investor Extension Requirements
Key legacy-route checks before relying on an extension strategy.
📄
Legacy Investor Status
The applicant must already hold, or have recently held, Tier 1 (Investor) permission. Home Office guidance says the route is closed to new initial applications and switching into the route.
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Investment Evidence
GOV.UK says extension evidence includes investment portfolio reports from a UK regulated financial institution. The reports must show that the relevant investment requirements have been met and maintained for the full length of the visa.
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Deadline and Settlement Planning
Home Office caseworker guidance states that extension applications had to be made before 17 February 2026. Settlement applications must be made before 17 February 2028, so timing and evidence review are now critical.
What You Can and Cannot Do
What legacy Investor migrants can and cannot do.
✓ You Can
- Review legacy Investor status to check whether extension, settlement or another route is relevant.
- Prepare settlement evidence before the 17 February 2028 deadline if the requirements can be met.
- Include eligible dependants if family members need to extend, settle or protect their position.
- Use portfolio reports from a UK regulated financial institution to evidence qualifying investments.
- Check investment timing against the rules that applied when the original visa was granted.
✗ You Cannot
- Make a new initial Investor application because the route closed on 17 February 2022.
- Switch into Tier 1 Investor because Home Office guidance says switching is closed.
- Assume extensions are open until 2028 because the official extension deadline was before 17 February 2026.
- Ignore the ILR deadline because settlement applications must be made before 17 February 2028.
- Rely on public funds because Tier 1 Investor leave is subject to no recourse to public funds.
- Settle automatically because ILR requires a separate application and evidence of the Investor requirements.
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Investor extension fee | £2,000 per person |
| Standard decision | 8 weeks |
| Priority service | £500 if available |
| Extension grant | 2 years |
| Settlement deadline | Before 17 Feb 2028 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | ~£1,035 per year |
How to Deal With an Investor Visa Extension
The extension deadline has passed; settlement and status planning now need urgent review.
Check the Deadline Position
Confirm whether any extension application was made before 17 February 2026. If not, focus on current leave, settlement eligibility and alternative immigration planning.
Review Investor History
Identify the original grant date, investment level, investor start date and whether the rules before or after 6 November 2014 or 29 March 2019 apply.
Gather Portfolio Evidence
Obtain regulated portfolio reports showing the qualifying investments and maintenance of funds throughout the relevant period.
Assess Settlement Before 2028
Check residence, absences, dependants, investment evidence and timing for an ILR application before 17 February 2028.
Receive Your Decision
GOV.UK lists a standard 8-week decision time for extension applications; settlement timing and service options should be checked on gov.uk when the ILR application is prepared.
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Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Tier 1 Investor extension deadlines.
What is the Investor Visa Extension UK?
Investor Visa Extension refers to extending Tier 1 (Investor) permission, a legacy route for people who already held Investor status. GOV.UK describes the extension grant as 2 years and the fee as £2,000 per person. However, Home Office caseworker guidance says extension applications had to be made before 17 February 2026.
Can I still extend a Tier 1 Investor visa in 2026?
The official Home Office caseworker guidance says extension applications had to be made before 17 February 2026. As of July 2026, that deadline has passed. The key remaining deadline is settlement before 17 February 2028, if the applicant qualifies.
Are Investor Visa extensions allowed until 2028?
No — not according to the Home Office caseworker guidance checked in July 2026. The guidance says extension applications had to be made before 17 February 2026, while settlement applications must be made before 17 February 2028. The 2028 date is therefore an ILR deadline, not an extension deadline.
How much does a Tier 1 Investor extension cost?
The 2026 Home Office fee table lists the Tier 1 (Investor) fee as £2,000 per person. GOV.UK also says applicants must pay the healthcare surcharge, and the Investor extension page lists a £500 priority service if available. Priority availability should be checked at the point of application.
How long is a Tier 1 Investor extension granted for?
GOV.UK says a Tier 1 Investor extension may be granted for 2 years. Home Office caseworker guidance also refers to 2-year grants for applicants with Tier 1 Investor leave. The extension deadline has passed, so current planning usually focuses on settlement or alternative routes.
What is the Tier 1 Investor settlement deadline?
Home Office caseworker guidance states that applications for settlement must be made before 17 February 2028. This is the crucial remaining long-stop date for many legacy Tier 1 Investor migrants. Applicants still need to meet the ILR requirements and submit a separate application.
Can new applicants apply for Tier 1 Investor?
No. Home Office guidance says the Tier 1 (Investor) route closed to all new initial applications from 4:00pm on 17 February 2022. It also says switching into the route is no longer possible.
What documents are needed for an Investor extension?
GOV.UK lists documents including a current passport, tuberculosis test results if required, criminal record certificates where relevant, and investment portfolio reports from a UK regulated financial institution. The portfolio reports must show the investment requirements were met and maintained.
What investment amount is needed for Tier 1 Investor?
GOV.UK extension guidance refers to at least £2 million under the applicant’s control in the UK for applicants who successfully applied on or after 6 November 2014. Different rules can apply to earlier grants, including historic rules for applicants before 6 November 2014. The correct test depends on the original visa history.
What should I do if my Investor extension deadline passed?
First check whether you still have valid leave and whether you can meet the settlement requirements before 17 February 2028. If settlement is not available, you may need to consider another immigration route. Because the route is legacy-only, timing and evidence should be reviewed carefully before any application is made.
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