Sole Representative Visa Extension and Settlement

What are the requirements for a sole representative extension?

The main eligibility requirements are as follows:

1. You must be a representative of an overseas business or an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation.
2. You must still be working for the same employer as in your previous visa application.
3. Your employer’s principal place of business must still be outside the UK.
4. You must still be supervising the UK branch or subsidiary which you established for the overseas business.
5. You must be in the UK.

You must apply before your current visa expires.

You will need to provide specific documents with your application. These include:

1. Proof of the business’s establishment and UK activities
2. Evidence that the UK business is wholly owned by the overseas business
3. Confirmation from your employer that you are still working in the same role
4. Your salary details.

What are the requirements for settlement?

The main eligibility requirements are as follow:

1. You have been continuously resident in the UK as a sole representative for a period of 5 years. This means absences of no more than 180 days in any rolling 12-month period (calculation is different if your last visa was granted before 11 January 2018).
2. Throughout this period, the overseas business must have continued to be active and trading overseas, with its headquarters and principal place of business remaining outside the UK.
3. You must have been employed by, and working for, the overseas company in its UK branch or subsidiary, and must continue in this role. You must not have undertaken work for another business, nor engaged in separate business of your own.
4. You must be able to provide evidence that the UK company is genuine and has generated business, primarily in the UK.
5. You must meet English language and Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements.

You will need to provide documents to support your sole representative settlement application as follows:

1. Proof of the business the UK branch or subsidiary has engaged in.
2. Evidence that it remains wholly-owned by the overseas business.
3. Details of your salary and remuneration package.
4. A letter from your employer confirming that you are still required to work for them, that you will be for the foreseeable future, and that you have supervised the UK business since your last grant of leave to remain
5. English language test certificate to level B1 CEFR or proof of a degree taught in the UK or recognised as acceptable by Ecctis (formerly UK Naric).
6. Proof that you have passed the Life in the UK Test.

How we can help

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.