Is the UK Tier 1 (Investor) Visa Still Open?

The UK Tier 1 (Investor) visa closed to new applicants at 4pm on 17 February 2022, under Statement of Changes CP 632. Holders had to apply to extend before 17 February 2026 and must apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) before 17 February 2028. Innovator Founder, the nearest open route, is a business visa, not an investment visa.

Law as at 9 October 2026. See our change log. · Last reviewed 9 Oct 2026 · Next review due 9 Jan 2027

ClosedHolders can still apply to settle before 17 February 2028 (Immigration Rules, Part 6A, para 245EF(g)).

Key figures

Item	Figure	Source
Closed to new applicants	4pm, 17 February 2022	CP 632, Implementation; para 245E
Extension and entry clearance deadline	Before 17 February 2026	Part 6A, paras 245EB(h), 245ED(h)
Settlement deadline	Before 17 February 2028	Part 6A, para 245EF(g)
Settlement investment and period	£10 million: 2 years; £5 million: 3 years; £2 million: 5 years	Appendix A, Table 9A, rows 1–2
Absences allowed	No more than 180 days in any 12 months	Table 9A, row 2; Appendix Continuous Residence, CR 3.1

Why did it close?

CP 632 took effect at once, not after the usual 21 days, to avoid a "closing down sale" of applications (Explanatory Memorandum, paras 3.1–3.2). The Government judged the route's economic benefit small and not enough to offset concerns that it was open to illicitly obtained wealth (para 7.2). The Home Office announced the closure the same day, citing security concerns.

What can existing holders still do?

The last day for a main applicant to apply for entry clearance or leave to remain was 16 February 2026. On 8 October 2026, HC 584 deleted Table 8A, the main points table for those applications, from Appendix A.

To settle, para 245EF and Appendix A, Table 9A, require:

an application made before 17 February 2028;
at least £2 million, £5 million or £10 million invested in share or loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies, maintained through the qualifying period;
the matching continuous period of 5, 3 or 2 years, with no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months;
English and Life in the UK knowledge (Appendix KoLL).

UK government bonds do not count if you were first granted leave under the Rules from 29 March 2019, and bonds held on or after 6 April 2025 do not count for anyone (Table 9A, row 1). Your partner and children can still apply to join you while you hold Tier 1 (Investor) leave; Part 8 sets no deadline for them (paras 319C, 319H).

What to look at instead

Innovator Founder visa. It is a business route, not an investment route: an approved endorsing body must back your innovative, viable and scalable business, and the Rules set no minimum investment. You also need B2 English and £1,270 in savings, and settlement is possible after 3 years (Appendix Innovator Founder).

FAQ

Can I still apply for a Tier 1 (Investor) visa?

New applications have been closed since 4pm on 17 February 2022, and the last day to apply to extend was 16 February 2026.

When must a Tier 1 (Investor) holder apply to settle?

Before 17 February 2028 (para 245EF(g)).

General information on the law as at 9 October 2026, not advice on your circumstances.

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