Amendments to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) rules

The Home Office, the UK's immigration authorities, has today passed laws which will seek to implement restrictions on in-country applications for an extension of stay as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur). The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category requires individuals to establish a UK business which will in turn generate jobs. Those who already have leave in the category will continue to be able to extend their stay, but there will be new restrictions to those qualifying on the basis of seed funding or funding provided by another government department. Those who graduate here will continue to be able to apply to extend their stay under the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category, which is significantly undersubscribed. The new laws also introduce amendments to the immigration rules so as to align them with the public interest considerations in section 117B of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. The changes also align the Immigration Rules on family and private life in Part 13, which relate to foreign criminals, with the public interest considerations in sections 117B and 117C of the 2002 Act.