Introduction

There are two different types of business representatives: Sole Representatives, and Media Representatives.

The immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are specialists in all UK-inbound work visa categories and have helped many people to come to the UK via the Sole Representative route. We have the knowledge and experience to give you the best chance of success with your visa extension or settlement application.

To speak to one of our solicitors, call us today on 0300 131 6767 or complete our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you.

Sole Representatives

The Sole Representative route enabled senior employees of an overseas businesses 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 by another 2 years, after which you might be able to apply for settlement in the UK.

This route closed to new applicants on 11 April 2022. If you already hold permission as a sole representative, you may be able to apply to extend your stay in the UK at the end of your current period of leave. To do this, you must be able to satisfy a series of validity, suitability, and eligibility requirements.

What are the requirements for a sole representative extension?

The main eligibility requirements are as follows:

You must continue to be a representative of an overseas business.
You must still be working for the same employer as in your previous application.
Your employer’s principal place of business must still be outside the UK.
You must still be supervising the UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary which you established for the overseas business.
You must be in the UK.

You must apply before your current period of leave expires.

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

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

Media Representatives

A Media Representative is an employee of an overseas media organisation posted to the United Kingdom on a long-term assignment. This includes journalists, producers, news camera personnel, and presenters. The media organisation that you represent must have its headquarters and principal place of business outside of the UK, and you must have been recruited and taken on as an employee whilst you were outside the UK. Unlike the sole representative category, an overseas media business can have more than one representative in the UK at the same time.

What are the requirements for a media representative entry clearance application?

You must prove you have enough money to support yourself on arrival in the UK. There is no fixed amount you need for this purpose, but we suggest having enough funds to support yourself for at least one month in the UK.
You must satisfy the English language requirement by passing an approved English language test with at least a CEFR A1 level test in speaking and listening, or providing proof of have a degree taught or researched in English, or certain UK specific academic qualifications. Nationals of certain countries do not need to take this test.

What are the requirements for a media representative extension?

You must continue to be a media representative of an overseas business, and be required by your employer to continue in that role.
You must be in the UK.

You must apply before your current period of leave expires.

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

Confirmation from your employer that you are still working in the same role
Evidence of your salary paid in the 12 months immediately before the date of application, and the renumeration package you receive.

What are the requirements for Sole Representative settlement?

The main eligibility requirements are as follow:

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 initial visa was granted before 11 January 2018). Note that the continuous residence criteria
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.
You must have been employed by, and working for, the overseas company in its UK branch or subsidiary if a sole representative, and must continue in this role. If you are a media representative, you must have been engaged in the employment for which your last period of permission was granted. You must not have undertaken work for another business, nor engaged in separate business of your own.
If applying as a sole representative, you must be able to provide evidence that the UK company is genuine and has generated business, primarily in the UK.
You must meet English language, and Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements.

You will need to provide documents to support your representative of an overseas business settlement application as follows:

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

Why choose Latitude Law?

As a boutique law firm specialising in UK-inbound immigration, our experts understand the complexity and uncertainty that constantly shifting visa and residence policies create for individuals looking to extend their Sole Representative visa or seek settlement. Our lawyers can provide up-to-the-minute legal advice on how any changes will impact your application.

Thanks to our extensive knowledge of immigration rules, we are able to provide pragmatic advice and meet our clients’ needs. We have connections with the Home Office and other immigration authorities so we can advise you with confidence, and ensure the entire immigration procedure runs smoothly and efficiently for you.

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.

Working with a law firm can be a big decision, which is why we ensure that our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We are a highly driven team that is dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice.

We are pleased to be recognised as a leading law firm by the following independent bodies: The Times Best Law Firms 2024, Chambers & Partners 2024, Legal 500 2024 and Who'sWhoLegal 2024. These endorsements from the international legal directories demonstrate our integrity and success in dealing with difficult cases. We are also proud of our 5-star Google reviews from over 150 highly satisfied clients.

Call us today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Let our legal experts take the uncertainty out of your Sole Representative visa application.

Sole Representative Visa Extension & Settlement FAQs

How long will my extension be granted for? Is this a route to settlement?

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.

Can dependants come to the UK under the sole representative route?

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 in the UK as a sole representative.

How much does it cost to apply for a representative of an overseas business extension or settlement?

If you are making your initial application from outside the UK as a media representative, the fee is £719. If you are applying for an extension from inside the UK, the fee applicable is £827 per person. If you are applying for settlement, the fee is £2,885 per person. You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (‘IHS’) when making an entry clearance or extension application, which is currently set at £1,035 per annum for adults, and £776 per annum for applicants aged 17 and under. The IHS is not payable when applying for settlement.

Contact us

As the requirements for Sole Representative visa are complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that your application has the very best chance of being granted.

Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Face your future knowing you have the dedicated support of one of our expert lawyers.

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