Are you an Indian company considering a business expansion in the UK?
Then, the Sole Representative Visa can be the most suitable route to establish a commercial presence of your business in the UK.
Currently, almost 850 Indian companies operate in the UK with combined revenues of £41.2 billion (Source: India meets Britain tracker 2020).
Your business can be on this list too!
What is a Sole Representative Visa?
A Sole Representative Visa is an immigration route primarily designed for individuals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland who are either planning to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary or register a UK branch for an overseas parent company. This route is equally appropriate for those individuals who have been posted on a long-term assignment to the UK by their employers as an overseas worker.
What are the Eligibility criteria/requirements of a Sole representative of an overseas business visa?
To be eligible for this visa, the prospective sole rep:
- Must be able to demonstrate extensively industry-related knowledge and experience.
- Must be recruited outside the UK whose principal place of business is not in the UK. The company must have no branch, subsidiary, or other representatives in the UK.
- Must hold a senior position (not own or control the majority of business) along with the full authority to take operational decisions on behalf of the company.
- Must provide evidence to establish the company’s first commercial presence in the UK.
- Must not intend to take other employment in the UK except for the overseas company.
- Must meet the maintenance requirement.
Sole Representative Visa Fees
A sole representative visa costs £610. An employee of a broadcasting organisation or news agency also needs to pay £610. However, the prospective sole rep must pay the health surcharge as a part of the application.
Documents Required for Sole Representative Visa
The prospective sole rep must provide:
- A current passport.
- Evidence that demonstrates his or her financial ability to maintain during the stay in the UK.
- Details of accommodation during the stay in the UK.
- Evidence demonstrating his or her knowledge of English either passing an approved English Language Test with CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening or having an academic qualification recognized by the UK NARIC.
- A detailed description of the business activities which must include details of accounts and assets.
- A letter confirming the overseas business planning to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary or register a branch in the UK with the same business activity overseas.
- Evidence certifying that he or she holds a senior position in the business with the authority to make operational decisions on the company’s behalf.
How do I apply for a Sole Representative Visa?
The individual must apply online for a Sole Representative Visa outside the UK. He or she needs to have fingerprints and photographs, also known as biometric information, taken at a visa application center.
What are the advantages of the Sole Representative Visa?
The Representative of an overseas business or Sole Representative Visa is an immigration route particularly designed for individuals who either are looking to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary or register a branch for an overseas parent company. This route is necessary for individuals who have been posted on a long-term assignment to the UK by their employers as an overseas worker.
If you are looking for advantages then you will probably reap the rewards from a high-income market. Your overseas parent company will get an exposure of a flexible environment and will be subjected to higher selectivity considering the immigration requirements.
What can I do if my Sole Representative Visa is refused?
First, you must take initiative to understand the reason behind refusal. Your application might get refused if you own a significant share of the overseas business, or having insufficient evidence of employment. Your visa can also get refused if you lack supportive documents related to an overseas company, for instance, business plan or financial statement etc.
Get a better understanding of the representative of overseas business eligibility criteria/ requirement with one of the UK immigration solicitors. They can provide you with advice, assistance, and representation in all immigration matters.
How can we assist you in applying for a Representation of an Overseas Business Visa?
We are a team of expert immigration solicitors having a decade of experience recommended by Legal 500 boutique based in Central London. We can help you right from the process of applying and successfully receiving a representative of an overseas business visa or sole representative visa. We understand the extensive documentation involved and we are always there to navigate complexities and maximize your chances of successful outcome.
Get in touch with our exceptionally qualified solicitors who can provide every possible assistance and representation in all immigration matters.
Can I bring my family with me if I apply for entry as a sole-representative?
The prospective sole rep can be accompanied by dependent family members for instance, spouse and/ or children under the age of 18, and civil partners. However, the representative of an overseas business visa must provide supportive documents so that they can meet financial maintenance requirements adequately without making use of public funds.
How long does it take to process the Representative of an Overseas Business Visa?
It is always advisable to apply 3 months before you travel. You can expect a decision on your visa within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK.
You can get in touch with qualified UK solicitors to find out more about faster decisions. They can also provide you advice, assistance, and representation in all immigration matters including Sole Representative Visa.
How much does a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa cost?
A sole representative visa or representative of an overseas business costs £610. The representative of an overseas media company also needs to pay £610. The sole reps need to pay healthcare surcharge as part of the application.
What is the English language requirement for a representative of an overseas business visa?
The applicant can prove the knowledge of the English language by passing an approved English Language Test with at least CEFR level A1 or having an academic qualification recognized by UK NARIC, the UK’s agency for recognising international qualifications and skills as being equivalent to UK’s bachelor’s or master’s degree or Ph.D. However, there is an exception like Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Australia, Belize, Dominica, Canada, Guyana, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA. Candidates from these countries do not need to prove their knowledge of English.
Sole Representative Visa UK Success Rate
UKVI’s sole reason to ask for documents and the long processing time is to check if the company is genuine and working or not. About 15% of the visa is rejected annually but the UK sole representative visa success rate of being approved is high.
- 90% of the applications for non-settlement are decided within three weeks.
- 98% of the applicants are decided within six weeks.
- 100% of the applicants are decided within 12 weeks of the date of application.
You need to have the authentic documents of the company and your credentials ready and mail it to the Home Office.
Get in touch with qualified UK solicitors to find out more about Sole Representative Visa. They can provide you advice, assistance, and representation in all immigration matters.
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