UK Sole Representative Visa

Sole Representative Visas are issued where an Overseas Firm wishes to send a representative to the UK to establish a wholly owned Subsidiary or Branch. Visas are initially approved for 2 years, but may be extended for a further 3 years. Time spent on Sole Representative status counts towards Permanent Residence.

If approved Sole Representatives are allowed to represent and manage the UK operations of the overseas parent company, however they are not allowed to take on any other work.

How can Commonwealth Contractors help?

At Commonwealth Contractors we partner with OISC Registered Private Immigration Firms skilled at professionally representing Sole Representative Visa Applications.

To find out more about applying call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0800 294 4388 or Submit your Details & we will get back to you.

Qualifying as a Sole Representative

There are two elements to a successful Sole Representative Visa Application. There must be:

A Suitable Overseas Company, AND
A Suitable Sole Representative

Overseas Company Criteria	The Company must: Be a genuine organisation with a principle place of business outside the UK (Note: Companies younger than 12 months are likely to have difficulties) Continue to operate principally outside of the UK Not already have a UK Branch, Subsidiary, Representative Intend to establish a UK Branch or wholly owned Subsidiary Pay the Sole Representative a suitable Salary while in the UK
Representative Criteria	The Representative must: Have been employed by the Overseas Company Be a Senior Employee with full authority to take operational decisions on behalf of the overseas firm Be making the application from outside the UK Not control the overseas company Not hold the majority of equity in the Overseas Company (Any holding over 30% may be a problem) Be employed as a full time Overseas Representative Not intend to take UK employment Not conduct business other that as the Sole Representative Not require public funds Expect to be UK based in the UK for more than 9 months

Overseas Company Criteria

The Company must:

Be a genuine organisation with a principle place of business outside the UK (Note: Companies younger than 12 months are likely to have difficulties)
Continue to operate principally outside of the UK
Not already have a UK Branch, Subsidiary, Representative
Intend to establish a UK Branch or wholly owned Subsidiary
Pay the Sole Representative a suitable Salary while in the UK

Representative Criteria

The Representative must:

Have been employed by the Overseas Company
Be a Senior Employee with full authority to take operational decisions on behalf of the overseas firm
Be making the application from outside the UK
Not control the overseas company
Not hold the majority of equity in the Overseas Company (Any holding over 30% may be a problem)
Be employed as a full time Overseas Representative
Not intend to take UK employment
Not conduct business other that as the Sole Representative
Not require public funds
Expect to be UK based in the UK for more than 9 months

Sole Representative Visa Applications

To apply for a Sole Representative Visa an applicant must show documentary proof that the company and representative meet all requirements.

Employer Documents

Proof of the Overseas Company (including Ownership):
- Annual Accounts
- Bank Statements
- Company Brochures
- Lease of Business Premises
- Share Distributions for the Previous Year
A Business Plan & Cash Flow Projection for the UK Operation
Job Descriptions:
- For the Applicants Present Job, AND
- For the Applicants Sole Representative Job: This should be on company letterhead and should detail that the applicant is familiar with the company’s activities and that he or she has full powers to negotiate & take operational decisions without reference to the parent company
A Notarised Statement confirming the applicant will be the Company’s Sole Representative
A Notarised Statement confirming the Company’s operations will remain centred overseas

Representative Documents

An Employment Contract with the Overseas Employer
Last six months payslips
A Notarised Statement confirming the applicant will not engage in business on their own nor will they represent any other company’s interests
Proof of Maintenance (Last 3 months Bank Statements)
Evidence of UK Accommodation

Sole Representative Visa Extensions

Sole Representative Visas are normally approved for an initial two years but may be extended for a further two years where the applicant can show:

A Letter from the Overseas Parent Company confirming they wish to continue employment
Evidence that a branch or wholly owned subsidiary has been established in the UK
Proof that the applicant has generated business for the employer since entry to the UK:
- Bank Account Statements
- Copies of Invoices
- Copies of Contracts
- Letters from firms with whom the applicant has done business giving an indication of the amounts of money involved in transactions
Proof that the applicant is receiving a suitable salary from the employer:
- P60
- Payslips
- Bank Statements
Confirmation from the Overseas Firm that the applicant will continue to be UK Based

For more Information call Commonwealth Contractors now on
0800 294 4388 or Submit your Details & we will get back to you

Related Other UK Visas Pages:

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