OVERVIEW OF THIS VISA

This visa is also commonly known as the UK sole representative visa, you can apply to go to the UK as a representative of an overseas business if you are from  outside the UK and you are either:

• This visa is ideally suitable for non-UK business seeking to establish a branch or wholly owned subsidiary ; or
• an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK
• On this visa initially you will allow to stay 3 years in the UK

TOP BENEFITS OF THIS VISA

• Add Family Members: You can apply for your family members at the same time.
• Work Rights: You can work for your employer, full time in the UK
• Extend Visa: You can extend your visa for 2 years
• Apply as part of an entrepreneurial team: You can apply as a sole founder or working together as part of an entrepreneurial team.
• Switch to another Visa: You can switch over to other visa including a visitor visa, Short-term Student, a Parent of a Child Student, or a Seasonal Worker.
• Permanent Settlement: After you have been in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for an approval to settle permanently in the UK.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THIS VISA

Funds: You should have sufficient money to support yourself without help from public funds in the UK

Knowledge of English:

• You must meet the low English Language requirement (CEFR Level A1 in Speaking and Listening) or
• having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK ENIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD or
• You may be able to meet the English language requirement in other ways.

Sole representatives

To apply as a sole representative, you must:

• be hired and employed outside the UK by an active company and trading business, whose headquarters and principal place of business are, and will stay on, outside the UK.
• have the vast experience, skill, and knowledge to do the role
• hold a senior position within the business (but do not own or control the majority of overseas business) and have full authority to make decisions on its behalf
• present details of your Sole Representative Role within the UK, to establish the overseas business’s first commercial presence in the UK, either as a registered branch or a wholly owned subsidiary

Newspaper, news agency or broadcast employees

You can go to the UK if you are being reallocated there on a long-term assignment, as an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation,

Other requirements:

• TB Test Requirement (if applicable)
• Criminal Record Check Requirement (if applicable)
• Business Plan requirement
• Have enough money to support yourself without help from public

HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE

• The quickest you may apply is 3 months before you travel.
• You may get a decision from the Home Office – UK on your visa within 3-4 weeks when you apply from outside the UK OR within 5 working days if the priority service is available in the country you are applying from.