UK Sole Representative Visa

The UK offers huge open doors for creative associations prepared to venture into Europe being the fifth biggest economy in the world. For instance, the British High Commissioner to India has lately expressed the UK and India tech enterprises as a “marriage made in paradise”. One approach to exploit the possibilities accessible in Britain is to send a sole representative to ‘try things out’ prior to any sort of commitment. For the applicants belonging from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) needing to work in the UK for their organisation or in order to extend their business into Europe, the UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa gives a valid solution. The Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa permits a senior worker of an overseas business to go to the UK to set up and run a UK branch or completely owned subsidiary of the overseas parent organisation. The UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa permits you to live and work in the UK for a long time in addition to let your dependents also move to the UK where they can work without any sort of limitations. However, the non-EEA based organisations can exploit the UK Representative of an Overseas Business Visa to build up a temporary residence in the Britain in order to test the market, without the overheads related with setting up a branch office and recruiting neighbourhood staff. Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) can be accomplished following 5 years under the Representative of an Overseas Business visa category.

Eligibility Criteria for a UK Sole Representative Visa:

There are certain crucial requirements that ought to be fulfilled in order to become eligible for the UK Sole Representative for an Overseas Business Visa applicant.

The major requirements to be fulfilled for the concerned Business organisation regarding applying for the UK Sole Representative Visa are as follows:

  • Is an active and trading overseas business.
  • Has and will continue to have its headquarters and centre of operations based outside the UK.
  • Intends to open and operate a branch office or wholly owned subsidiary in the UK.
  • Has no branch, subsidiary or other representative in the UK.

Make a FREE Enquiry

    Whereas the applicant for the UK Sole Representative Visa must meet the following criteria for the visa to be granted successfully:

    • Was recruited by an organisation existing outside the UK by the parent company.
    • Is setting up the initial presence of his organisation in the UK in the form of completely owned subsidiary or a registered office branch.
    • Has a great deal of experience, skills, and knowledge of the parent company and its industry.
    • Will not engage in business of your own or represent any other business’s interest in the United Kingdom.
    • Holds a senior position in the company and can make independent decisions on the parent company’s behalf.
    • Is not a major shareholder or has any significant control or stakeholding in the business via a partnership agreement or sole ownership.
    • Has the required knowledge of English which requires applicants to have obtained at least CEFR Level A1 in speaking and listening.
    • Has sufficient funding to support themselves and any dependents during their leave to remain.

    UK Sole Representative Visa processing:

    Your application for a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa must be made online except if you are from North Korea. Alongside the necessary documentation, you will likewise need to provide your biometric specifications (for example, fingerprints and photos).

    The soonest that candidates can submit visa application for the UK Sole Representative for an Overseas Business is 3 months preceding travel to the UK. Candidates can pay for a Priority Service to get a response within 5 working days. Non-priority processing times for entry clearance applications are around 3 weeks, whenever submitted from the nation of habitation, or roughly 8-12 weeks for those exchanging their visa and at present living in the UK. There are variations in time duration of the UK Sole Representative Visa relying upon whether the candidate is welcomed for a meeting at the Home Office.

    Documentation required for the UK Sole Representative Visa application:

    You would have to provide certain essential documents as mentioned below along with the application form for the successful processing of your UK Sole Representative for an Overseas Business Visa:

    • Your passport or other valid travelling related documents
    • Evidence you can support yourself and your dependents (e.g. bank statements)
    • Details of your accommodation in the UK
    • Proof of your knowledge of English
    • Your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test
    • A complete summary of your organisation, what it does, its assets and liabilities and other accounts
    • A letter confirming the company intends to create a wholly-owned subsidiary or branch office in the UK
    • Your job description, salary and proof you can make independent decisions on the company’s behalf
    • Proof you are employed by the company and are not merely an agent
    • Proof you were employed outside the UK and will be working only for the organisation that is sending you to the country
    • Evidence that you have the skills, knowledge, and experience required to set up and run a branch office or wholly owned UK subsidiary

    Benefits for the UK Sole Representative Visa holder:

    • Sole representatives that operate successfully for the first three years may qualify for an additional two-year visa extension.
    • After five years, you may qualify for permanent residency.
    • After six years, you may qualify for British nationality.
    • You can combine time spent in the UK with other visa categories to qualify for ten-year residency rights.
    • Organisations can send a single staff member to the UK to test the market without the need to outlay large amounts of capital.

    UK Sole Representative Visa extensions:

    The UK Sole Representative Business Visa holder may apply for further extensions after having successfully running his overseas business subsidiary or a registered branch of his parent organisation for 3 years in the UK. Subsequently, an extension of 2 years may be granted after having met the essential requirements for UK Sole Representative visa extension that ultimately lead to the possibility of achieving the indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK. The requirements to be fulfilled for having your UK Sole Representative Visa extended are as following:

    • The overseas business should, in any case, have its central station and chief spot of business outside of the United Kingdom.
    • Candidates must be employed full time as a delegate of that overseas business, have built up it and be accountable for its registered branch or entirely owned subsidiary.
    • The employer’s chief spot of business ought to be outside the UK.
    • Candidates must be in receipt of a pay from their manager and must be able to give the necessary proof of this.
    • Candidates must have the option to give proof that they have produced business, primarily with firms in the UK on the part of their employer since their last grant of leave.
    • Candidates must be in the UK to expand their visa.

    FREQUENTLT ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

    Can I move my family to UK under UK Sole Representative Visa?

    Yes, you can apply to move your dependents to the UK with you. Dependents are referred to as your spouse/partner and additionally any children of age under 18 years. Under the Immigration Rules, your spouse or civil partner must not “have a dominant stake in, or in any case own or control that overseas business, regardless of whether that possession or control is by methods for a shareholding, partnership agreement, sole proprietorship or any other method.

    What is the time duration for the UK Sole Representative visa processing?

    Majority of the UK Sole Representative visa applications are completely processes within the time period of 3 weeks. Moreover, priority service is also available at many visa application centres outside the UK through which the UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa applicants are likely to receive the response on their applications for entry clearance within 5 working days.

    What is the fee for UK Sole Representative visa application?

    The Home Office application fee for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa is currently £610.

    How can I settle in the UK under UK Sole Representative visa category?

    Following five years in the UK as a Sole Representative of an Overseas Business by completing 3 years of initial visa category along with 2 years of visa extension, you might be qualified to apply for settlement. You would have to pass the English Language test as well as Life in the UK test in addition to having fulfilled all the crucial requirements of attaining indefinite leave to remain (ILR).