
Are you hoping to work in the UK? Have you been offered a job role and seek permission to work here? Our immigration lawyers are experts in the operation of UK and European legislation that affects foreign workers.
The Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa route enabled senior employees of an overseas business to come to the UK with the intention of establishing a UK branch or subsidiary. If your application was successful, you were able to stay in the UK for a period of 3 years, extendable upto 5 years, at which point you become eligible for settlement.
This visa route is now closed to new applicants, except in the news or broadcast organisation sub-category. If you already hold permission under this visa, you may be able to apply to extend your stay in the UK at the end of your current visa. To do this, you must be able to meet the a series of validity, suitability and eligibility requirements.
The main eligibility requirements are as follows:
You must apply before your current visa expires.
You will need to provide specific documents with your application. These include:
The main eligibility requirements are as follow:
You will need to provide documents to support your sole representative settlement application as follows:
If successful, your visa can be extended for a further 2 years. Once you have been in the UK for 5 years, and you still have an ongoing job with the same company, you will be able to apply to settle.
If your partner or children under the age of 18 are already in the UK, they can apply to extend their visa at the same time as you, or before their current visa expires. If they are currently in the UK as a visitor, they will not be able to apply to be your dependant from inside the UK, and will instead need to apply from outside the UK.
If an application is made, the dependants will also need to meet the eligibility and suitability requirements.
Your partner cannot be classed as your dependant if they own or control a majority of the overseas business that you are representing.
If you are applying for a sole representative extension from inside the UK, the fee applicable is £827 per person. If you are applying for settlement, the fee is £2,404.
You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge if extending your visa. The IHS is not payable when settling.
Due to the complicated eligibility requirements that must be met, and the increased level of scrutiny of sole representative cases since 2021, it is best to speak to specialist immigration lawyers who can assist your efforts and provide you with the best chance of success. Our experienced team at Latitude Law will do their utmost to ensure that your application is successful.
Are you hoping to work in the UK? Have you been offered a job role and seek permission to work here? Our immigration lawyers are experts in the operation of UK and European legislation that affects foreign workers.
Naturalisation as a British citizen is a significant life decision, and it is best that you consult an immigration specialist before proceeding with your naturalisation application. As a niche, law firm specialising in UK immigration law, our lawyers are uniquely qualified to provide all the help you require to ensure your application is successful.
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All content on this page was reviewed by Latitude Law and is accurate as of 08/06/2023