What is the UK Sole Representative Visa?
Representatives of an Overseas Business allow overseas workers, usually senior employees, to establish and run a UK branch office or expand their business for their overseas parent company in the UK.
This route is no longer open to new applicants and has been replaced by the Global Business Mobility visa. You may apply for an extension of stay or for ILR if you already have permission.
How the Sole Representative Visa UK Works?
Some of the perks of Sole Rep Visa UK is to claim work, live, and acquire Permanent Residency in the UK. Moreover, you can also bring along your dependents (if any) under Sole Representative Visa route. The UK is regarded as one of the fifth-largest reputable business industries. Overseas business-person under the SOL REP visa category can make the most of the UK’s market without having to rely on the overhead cost linked to setting up a Branch office or hiring an employer.
Therefore, it is essential for sole representative visa holders to ‘test the water’ to ensure a full-time dedication to any economic and market prospects. After 5 years, you can apply to settle permanently in the UK via the ILR route.
Who Can Apply For A Sole Representative Visa UK?
To apply for the Sole Representative Visa UK category, the applicants (Sole Representatives) must be:
- Overseas business employees, planning to come to the UK to establish either a ‘wholly-owned subsidiary’ or a branch in the UK.
- Senior members of the international company (not an owner) with sufficient skill-sets to make informed business decisions on behalf of the parent company.
- Employee(s) of an international newspaper/ news agency/broadcasting organisation, who are contracted for ‘long-term’ business tasks in the UK.
Axis Solicitors Limited has experienced solicitors who can help you with your qualification assessment and application preparation of sole representative visa for successful outcomes.
Sole Representative Visa UK Eligibility Requirements
It is essential to keep in mind the vital eligibility criteria before applying for the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business. Some of which include the following:
- You are recruited/ hired by the international company (Parent company) planning to establish either a branch office/operate a subsidiary in the UK.
- Efficient in trading overseas business, to assure the smooth running of International headquarters based ‘outside ‘the UK.
- Exceptional skills with vast knowledge and experience concerning the overseas organisation and its collaborative industry.
- Be a senior member of the parent company without being the direct owner but be able to make autonomous and operational decisions on the parent company’s behalf.
- Neither controls /owns the business nor is a shareholder of the international parent company, i.e. through sole rep ownership or partnership agreement.
- Has a strong command of the English language proficiency.
- Hold sufficient funds /resources during the right to remain/leave to remain to support their living finances, including airfare, etc. to support themselves and dependents, if any.
including the cost of applying for the UK Sole representative visa. This is to assure the timely submission and approved decision of your SOL REP UK application. With this in mind, You should be able to pay:
- Sole Rep Visa — £704 per applicant (if ‘inside’ the UK).
- Representative of an Overseas Business Visa – £610 per applicant (if ‘outside’ the UK).
- Biometric Information — £19.20.
- Immigration Health Surcharge— (GBP) £624/per annum/ per person.
- Immigration Health Surcharge— For each child under 18 years of age (GBP) £470 per annum.
Application Processing Time For Representative Of An Oversea Business Visa UK
Before applying, be sure to go through the published guidelines: Representative of an Overseas Business guidance
As with other business immigration routes, the average application processing time is generally around 4-8 weeks, depending on your circumstance. However, in the following cases the application process can get complicated:
- If you have to attend a face-face interview to satisfy the Home office regarding the missing evidence.
- Your application is suspended due to the criminal violation/ previous conviction; failing to meet the Good character requirement..
- Your case is still on the waiting list to be reviewed/reassessed/verified.
It is advisable to apply 3-months ahead, before your business travel to the UK. This can potentially alleviate the risks of any delays or in case you have an urgent meeting/appointment/business conference awaiting you in the UK.
If you like to expedite the decision process of your Representative of an Overseas Business Visa application, we offer untimed advice sessions. Furthermore, our time-efficient high-quality Immigration services (superfast track priority services) can help accelerate your decision process on your behalf without affecting the overall standards and merits of your SOL REP Visa application portfolio.
How Long Can You Stay with a Sole Representative Visa?
As a representative of an overseas business (Sole Representative), the applicants are entitled to work and stay for up to 3 years— the minimum initial qualifying period. After this, they are eligible to apply for the extension under the Representative of an Overseas Business UK, which grants a Leave to Remain for additional 2-years.
Having said that, the Sole Representatives can then apply for the Indefinite Leave to Remain and ultimately settle in the UK permanently via the British Naturalisation process—to acquire full British citizenship.
As mentioned earlier, it is strictly essential to abide by the following UK immigration rules and regulations while staying in the UK for a minimum qualifying period:
- Sole Representative visa Holder shouldn’t or can’t claim public funds (UK government grants, bursaries, pensions, etc.
- Registered with the Police—to satisfy the character suitability requirements (if applicable).
- Can’t be the owner of an international organisation nor a third-party agent on the company’s behalf.
Sole Representative Visa Refusals
It must be heartbreaking news to receive a sol rep visa refusals (entry clearance and extension), especially when you are granted a humble opportunity to expand your international company’s business in the UK. Consequently, the rejections are mainly based on failing to satisfy the eligibility conditions and failing to abide by the UK immigration policy or a 50% shareholder (owner of the majority of share).
Nevertheless, getting visa refusals doesn’t hinder you from reverting the refusal decision. Hope is still on its way! Therefore, the Home office still grants you leniency to launch an appeal either through an administrative review or via a judicial review in case administrative review is deemed less effective.
Business Proposal For UK Sole Representatives
The sole representative business proposal usually covers the primary aim and objectives per UKVI Policy, with the sole purpose to open up a branch office/only subsidiary within the UK. Consequently, the plan must ensure the stability of overseas business with its head office/ other basic operations still located outside the UK. Moreover, as a Sole Representive, your business plan must strongly express your motivation as to why you like to expand it within the UK on behalf of your leading overseas parent company.
It is important to note that failing to fulfil all perquisites of UK immigration rules and regulations would result in visa refusals, i.e. poorly written business proposals.
Impact Of Brexit On Sole Representative Visa
Brexit resolution has dramatically changed the regional dynamics of the UK immigration system towards more flexibility— equalised the work rights for both Non- EU and EU citizens. Remarkably, Sole Business Representative holders can benefit a lot from such changes. Thus, with this positive revolution, STEM (Elaborate) Professionals can also expand their businesses in the UK. They can come to the UK, test the prospects of a market available in the UK.
Moreover, STEM professionals can apply for the permanent settlement after spending a qualifying residency period of 5-years while abiding by the rules of UK immigration policy.
Benefits of Sole Representative Visa UK
Holders of Sole Representative visa UK can enjoy many perks; some of the significant benefits include:
- After a continuous (abode by the UK Immigration policy) 3-years qualifying period, applicants can apply for the 2 additional year extension.
- Following 5 years Leave to Remain in the UK, applicants are entitled to apply for the Permanent Residency via Indefinite Leave to Remain.
- After 6-years of residency, the applicants are finally eligible to apply for British citizenship/nationality.
- Representatives of a business can even combine their residency period with other visa routes to qualify them for 10-year rights to remain in the UK.
Consult an experienced immigration solicitor for further specified details.
Which Documents Are Required for Sole Representative Visa UK?
Employment & Role Evidence
- Offer letter confirming employee status (not agent/shareholder)
- Job description, salary details, and payroll records
- Proof of independent decision-making authority
Overseas Company Documentation
- Support letter outlining UK expansion plans
- Evidence of parent company business activities
- Financial records showing assets, accounts, and liabilities
Travel & Identity Documents
- Valid passport and identity documents
- Previous visas and travel history
- Biometric information (fingerprints and photograph)
Accommodation & Financial Proof
- Evidence of suitable accommodation in the UK
- Financial statements showing sufficient maintenance funds
- Proof of funds covering dependants without public funds
English Language & Medical Evidence
- Approved SELT certificate meeting CEFR A1 level
- Medical test results (e.g. TB, Hepatitis if applicable)
- Health compliance evidence as required by UKVI
How to Extend Your UK Sole Representative Visa?
Eligibility for Visa Extension
- Apply after completing 3 years under UKVI policy
- Extension grants an additional 2 years’ stay
- Must meet updated eligibility rules at the time of application
Application Fees & Costs
- Visa extension fee: £704 (same as initial application)
- Immigration Health Surcharge applies per applicant/dependent
- Biometric enrolment fee: £19.20
Employment & Business Conditions
- Must work solely as an employee/representative, not an agent
- Overseas parent company must remain registered outside the UK
- Continue working for the same overseas employer
Residency & Application Process
- Applicant must be physically present in the UK
- Application must be submitted online
- Supporting documents are mandatory for approval
Permitted Activities (Dos)
- Full-time work allowed under overseas employer contract
- Dependants can join and work without restrictions
- Eligible for settlement after 5 years’ lawful residence
Non-Permitted Activities (Don’ts)
- Cannot hold 50%+ shares or run a UK business
- Cannot overstay beyond visa validity or access public funds
- Cannot switch into this route from most other visa categories
