Sole Representative of an Overseas business Visa
For people who intend to establish a business branch or wholly-owned subsidiary of the overseas parent company in the UK, the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa (Often known as Sole Representative Visa) will be the best solution. This visa allows you to live and work in the UK for three years under this visa category, and to bring your partner, children to the UK where they can live, study and work in the UK without restriction
What are the requirements for a Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa?
In order to qualify for a Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa, your overseas business must be
Is an active and trading overseas business
The operation of headquarter remain/will continue to remain operation outside the UK
Intends to open a UK branch office or wholly own subsidiary in the UK, and actively trade in same business activity as the overseas parent business.
Has no active branch, wholly subsidiary or representative in the UK
The overseas business will not be established for the purpose of obtaining Sole Representative Visa.
The new UK branch business must be genuine to establish a UK branch for the purpose of expanding overseas business in the UK
The applicant who applies for Sole Representative Visa will also need to demonstrate that:
The applicant is genuine for Representative of an Overseas Business
Holds a senior position in the business and is able to make a decision on behalf of the parent overseas business
Is not a major shareholder or significant control in the parent overseas business
Have been recruited and taken on as an employee of the overseas business
Have relevant skills, experience, and knowledge that the applicant able to undertake the role of sole representative business in the UK
Intend to work full time as a representative of the overseas business
Do not engage working in any other business than your representative of overseas business
Has the required English ability (At least CEFR Level 1- Speaking and listening)
Can show the funds that you can adequately maintain and accommodation yourself without recourse to public funds
How long the applicant can stay on a Sole Representative Visa?
Once the Sole Representative Visa application has been approved, you will be eligible to enter the UK and stay to run your new UK branch business for 3 years. You will also have to submit a leave to remain application, and this will extend your stay for another 2 years. After 5 years of representative visa, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and settle permanently in the UK.
Restriction of the stay
Applicants who have been granted for Sole Representative Visa will have the following restrictions:
No access to public funds
Cannot engage and work in others business
Registration with police station where if applicable
What are the advantages of the Sole Representative Visa?
The applicant can apply for an extension when they operate successfully during the first initial years of their stay
Applicant can be eligible to apply Indefinite to remain (ILR) after 5 years of their stay, apply to become British after 1 year of indefinite to remain
This is an advantage for overseas parent business to send their employee to the UK to study and test the market without having an amount of capital
You can bring your partner, dependent or children with you where they can study work, engage in business without restriction
How Alstern can help?
Alstern is a leading UK Immigration Law Firm based in the financial hub of Central London. We have over 10 years of experience in dealing with business immigration and has an excellent track record of success rate. We have been in this industry for long time and understand the challenge and complexity that applicants may face during the application process. We are shifting to digitalisation for better client care management in order to deliver the best experience and satisfactions to our clients. For more information, please contact us on 020 3923 9188 or email Info@alstern.co.uk.
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