UK Visas & Immigration – Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa

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This type of visa grants to a sole representative of an overseas company the right to live in the UK as well as establish and run a UK branch or wholly owned subsidiary.

Eligible applicants are those who are either
• the sole representative of an overseas business planning to set up either a UK branch or wholly owned subsidiary
• an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK

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An applicant must:

• be recruited and employed outside of the UK by a company which is based outside of the UK;
• have extensive experience and knowledge of the relevant industry;
• hold a senior position within the company and have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the company but not be a major shareholder;
• intend to establish the company’s first commercial presence in the UK;
• have sufficient funds to support themselves; and
• meet the required level of English language ability. (passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening ) you don’t need to prove your knowledge of English if you come from the Countries that are come under the exceptions category such as Canada, U.S.A. etc.

It is required that you apply 3 months before traveling to the U.K. The decision making should normally not take longer than 3 weeks. 

In such a case that you are already inside the UK then it is likely that the decision making will take up to 8 weeks and it is required to have your biometric information verified ( finger prints and photo are taken). You can stay in the UK even if you are still waiting on the decision, taking into consideration that you have applied before the expiry of your last visa.

Any successful applications give a right of living in the UK for 3 years and it can be extended after that for 2 years further. Successful applicants are only allowed to work for their employer, cannot be self-employed or work for any other business and they are also not permitted to stay in the UK in this category if the sole representative arrangement is terminated by their employer. As soon as an applicant has completed 5 years in the UK then they can apply for a permission to settle permanently.

When applying as a sole representative of an overseas business you’ll need to provide:

• a full description of the business’s activities, including details of assets and accounts
• a letter confirming the overseas business will set up a wholly owned subsidiary or register a branch in the UK in the same business activity as it runs overseas
• your job description, employment contract and salary details
• a letter confirming you’re familiar with the business and have the power to take operational decisions

You should also provide evidence that you:

• are directly employed by the business and are not acting as a sales agent
• were recruited to the business outside of the UK
• hold a senior position in the business, with the authority to make decisions on its behalf and set up and run a registered branch or wholly owned subsidiary
• will be working full time for the business or subsidiary for the duration of your stay and will not carry out any other work
• do not own or control a majority of the overseas business

Newspaper, news agency or broadcast employees

As an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation you must also provide:

• a full description of the parent company’s activities, including details of assets and accounts
• confirmation that you will be representing them in the UK in a long term, full-time role

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