How to calculate "Qualifying Period" for Tier 1 Entrepreneur IRL

Hi,

2 questions:

1. Assuming my initial Tier 1 Entrepreneur date of issue was 2018.11.14 and my extension for Tier 1 Entrepreneur date of issue was 2022.02.11 and valid until 2024.02.11. To apply for settlement based on the 5-year route qualifying period, 2023.11.14 will be 5 years from the initial date of approval. I am allowed to apply for settlement 28 days before the end of the qualifying period, which means the earliest I can apply for settlement is 2023.10.17, is that correct? Or I can only start to apply 28 days before 2024.02.11?

2. I found out that Tier 1 Entrepreneur will take 3-6 months to process after submission of the application, and seems like there is no priority service for Tier 1 Entrepreneur. Wondering what happens if I need to travel overseas while I am still waiting for my settlement visa to be approved. Or did I miss out on any priority service for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur settlement application?

Please advise.

Many thanks,

1. Your qualifying period start from the date of your initial visa (assuming you applied abroad). If you applied within the UK, you can apply from the date of approval.

2. https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa ... ide-the-uk
Once you submit your application etc, you cannot travel out of the UK. If you do, your application will be considered withdrawn and you lose the fee paid.

CR001, thank you for your prompt and useful replies.

Appreciate it if you could help answer my follow-up questions.

1. I applied within the UK, so 5 years started to count from 2018.11.14 (the date of the initial date of approval, not the extension date of approval), did I understand it right?

2. I read through the link for a faster decision visa, and I saw that the section "Application to settle if you work, establish a business or invest in the UK (through form SET(O))" is eligible for "UKVCAS appointment: within 5 working days and next working day.". Form SET(O) is open for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa that was initially approved in 2018, so that means I can proceed using the faster decision for my application, am I right?

Thank you

I would very much doubt your suggested faster route will achieve the outcome you are seeking. The Home Office will take the appropriate checks and balances they would usually undertake for business investment or creation routes. This is never a quick process.

Thank you for your response.

Your tenure will start after the initial visa and you can check the rest of the visa details at the government website: https://www.gov.uk/faster-decision-visa ... ide-the-uk