Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
Conditions of your stay
This page explains how long you can stay in the UK under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) of the points-based system, and sets out the conditions of your stay here.
How long can you stay?
If you successfully apply for a visa under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) from outside the UK, you can come here for a maximum period of 3 years and 4 months. Towards the end of this period, you must apply to extend your stay if you want to continue living here.
If you successfully apply to switch into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) from another immigration category while you are in the UK, we will give you permission to stay here for a maximum period of 3 years. Towards the end of this period, you must apply to extend your stay if you want to continue living here.
If you successfully apply to extend your stay under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), we will give you permission to stay for a further 2 years.
What can you do while you are in the UK?
Your permission to stay will be subject to the following conditions:
- you will have no access to public funds, which means that you will not be able to claim most benefits paid by the state;
- you must register with the police if required under paragraph 326 in Part 10 of the Immigration Rules;
- you cannot take any employment other than working for the business or businesses that you have established, joined or taken over;
- you must register as self-employed with HM Revenue & Customs, register a new company in which you are a director, or register as a director of an existing company within 6 months from your specified date; and
- you must continue to have access to the funds you had when you made your application unless you have spent them establishing or running your business which excludes payments you have received from the business.
We may cancel your permission to stay (also known as curtailment of your leave) if you do not meet both of these conditions.