Representative of an Overseas Business visa

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You can apply to come to the UK as a representative of an overseas business if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland and you’re either:

  •  the sole representative of an overseas company planning to set up a UK branch or a wholly owned subsidiary for an overseas parent company
  • an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK


You can come to the UK for an initial period of 3 years. You may be able to extend your visa for another 2 years. After you’ve been in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK.

What you can and can't do

You can:

  •  work for your employer, full time
  • bring your family (‘dependants’) with you to the UK
  •  extend your visa multiple times
  •  apply to settle in the UK after you’ve been here for 5 years
  •  stay in the UK if your company’s circumstances change and you’ve been here for more than 2 years (for example if they appoint a superior in the UK)

You can’t:

  • work for yourself or any other business
  • stay in the UK if the sole representative arrangement is ended by your employer
  • switch to this visa from any other visa category
  • get public funds

 

To be eligible for this visa you must:

  •  apply from outside the EEA
  •  have enough money to support yourself without help from public funds
  •  meet the English requirement

If you are coming to the UK as a sole representative you must:

  •  be recruited and employed outside the UK by a company whose headquarters and principal place of business are outside the UK
  •  have extensive related industry experience and knowledge
  •  hold a senior position within the company (but not be a major shareholder) and have full authority to make decisions on its behalf
  •  intend to establish the company’s first commercial presence in the UK, eg a registered branch or a wholly owned subsidiary

You may also be eligible if the company has a legal entity in the UK that doesn’t employ staff or transact business.If your company has been working to establish a UK branch or subsidiary, but it is not yet set up, you can replace a previous sole representative.

As an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation, you can come to the UK if you’re being posted here on a long-term assignment.
You can prove your knowledge of English by either:

  • passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening
  •  having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK
  • NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD

Your family members (‘dependants’) can come with you when you come to the UK on this visa. Your family members must have a visa if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
A ‘dependant’ is any of the following:

  •  your husband, wife or partner
  •  your child under 18


Our team can conduct the eligibility assessment on your case and offer the best advice to prepare and submit the visa application with end to end support. As we are authorized to legally represent your application, we can offer professional and dedicated services to ensure the success of your visa application.