Choosing a Sole Representative of Overseas Business Visa Candidate

Overview 

Choosing a Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa candidate is one of the complicated tasks while bootstrapping your business presence in the UK. The Representative of an overseas business route which is also referred to as Sole Representative of an overseas business is a business immigration route, particularly designed for individuals who are either looking to set-up a wholly-owned subsidiary or registering a UK branch of an overseas parent company. This business immigration route is equally suitable for individuals who have been posted on a long-term assignment to the UK by their employers as an overseas worker. A major consideration associated with this immigration route is that the Sole Representative must be recruited outside the UK by an overseas company whose principal place of business is not within the UK.

A representative of an Overseas Business Criteria/ Requirement

• The prospective sole rep or representative of an overseas business must be able to demonstrate extensive industry-related experience and knowledge.
• The prospective sole rep or representative of an overseas business must be employed outside the UK whose headquarters and principal place of business is outside the UK.
• The company must have no branch, subsidiary, or any other representatives in the UK.
• The prospective sole rep must hold a senior position with full authority to take operational decisions on the company’s behalf.
• The applicant must not accept any sort of employment in the UK, except for the overseas company.
• The applicant must meet the financial and other general requirements.
• The prospective sole rep must also satisfy the English language requirement.

Knowledge of English 

The prospective sole rep must prove knowledge of the English language by clearing an approved English Language Test with CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening or having an academic qualification recognized by UK NARIC (the designated body for the recognition of international qualifications and professional skills in the UK), which equals a UK bachelor’s degree or master’s degree or  Ph.D.

Documents Needed

The prospective sole rep or representative of overseas business must provide

• A current passport and other valid travel identification documents,
• Pieces of evidence to support themselves and other dependents during the trip.
• Details of accommodation during the stay in the UK.
• Pieces of documents to support the English requirement.
• Tuberculosis test results
• A Certified translation includes photocard driving licenses, passports, letters from a government department, council tax bills, credit card statements or letters from a hospital/doctor signed and dated by a professional person, for instance, an immigration solicitor or notary, bank or building society official, councillor, minister of religion, and chartered accountant.

When applying for a sole representative of an overseas business, a prospective sole rep should submit

1. A detailed description of the business’s activities
2. A letter confirms the overseas business intending to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary or register a branch in the UK with the same business activity as it runs in the overseas.
3. A comprehensive job description, which includes employment contracts, and salary details.
4. Evidence that supports business familiarity of the candidate and authority to take operational decisions.

Apply

The applicant must keep a tab on the Representative of an Overseas Business Guidance before applying for a Sole Rep visa or Sole Representative of Overseas Business Visa. The candidate must apply online and provide fingerprints and photographs also known as biometric information taken at the visa application centre as a part of the application.

Please note that the Home Office will not insist on fingerprints till the time Coronavirus persists.

Using UK Immigration Solicitor

Get in touch with an experienced UK Immigration solicitor who can help you out with the complexity of application or extension of Sole Rep Visa. A Y & J Solicitors is a multi-award winning, 10+ years of experience recommended by Legal 500 boutique UK immigration law firm based in Central London. Our exceptionally qualified immigration solicitors take a genuine interest in clearing up your doubts. For further information about our immigration service, please email us at [email protected] or Whatsapp us on +44 7448 5656 70.