Representative of an Overseas Business Visa (Sole Representative Visa)

The Representative of an Overseas Business Visa, also known as the Sole Representative Visa, allows individuals to come to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary of an overseas business. This visa is intended for employees of an overseas company who are being sent to the UK to represent their employer and set up a presence in the country.

This visa is for individuals who will be the sole representative of a business in the UK, either as a senior employee or director.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Representative of an Overseas Business Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Employment with the Overseas Business: You must be employed by an overseas business that is planning to establish a branch or subsidiary in the UK. The business must not already have a presence in the UK.
• Position and Role: You must be a senior employee of the business, typically a manager, director, or someone with the authority to represent the company in the UK.
• Intention to Establish a Business: The business must be planning to establish a new branch or subsidiary in the UK. The company must be genuinely active and trading.
• No Prior UK Presence: The overseas business must not already have a branch, subsidiary, or representative office in the UK.
• Financial Support: You must show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK and will not need public funds.

Duration of Stay

The Sole Representative Visa typically allows you to stay in the UK for:

• 3 years initially, with the possibility of extension.
• Extensions can be granted for another 2 years, after which you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Application Process

Timeline

You can apply for a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa up to 3 months before your intended travel date. As part of your application, you will need to:

• Prove your identity.
• Provide evidence of your role within the overseas business.
• Submit documents that demonstrate the business’s intention to establish a branch or subsidiary in the UK.
• Provide proof of financial means to support yourself during your stay.

Decision Timeframe

• 8 weeks is the usual processing time for Sole Representative Visa applications, though this can vary.

Rights and Restrictions

What You Can Do:

• Work in the UK as the representative of the overseas business.
• Establish and operate a branch or subsidiary of the overseas business in the UK.
• Bring your dependents (partner and children) with you, if they meet the eligibility criteria.
• Apply for an extension of your visa and, eventually, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if eligible.

What You Cannot Do:

• Switch to a different visa category while in the UK.
• Engage in employment outside the role of a representative for the overseas business.
• Apply for public funds (benefits).

Get in touch with us now at Squadlead to make your Representative of an Overseas Business Visa (Sole Representative Visa) application process seamless and stress-free!