United Kingdom Sole Representative

The United Kingdom Sole Representative Visa is designed for individuals who are looking to represent a foreign company in the UK, typically in the role of opening a UK branch or subsidiary. This visa provides an excellent opportunity for business owners and senior employees of overseas businesses to enter and work in the UK under specific conditions. In this guide, we will explore what the Sole Representative Visa is, who is eligible, how to apply, and the benefits of this visa for entrepreneurs and companies seeking to expand their presence in the UK.

What is the United Kingdom Sole Representative Visa?

The Sole Representative Visa allows a senior employee or business owner of a foreign company to come to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary of the overseas business. Unlike other visas, such as the Tier 2 General Visa, the Sole Representative Visa is specifically for those who will be representing an overseas business in the UK, and it is not for individuals looking to set up their own business from scratch.

The visa is ideal for foreign companies that want to expand into the UK market but do not yet have a physical presence there. The individual applying for this visa will be able to set up and manage the UK branch or subsidiary of the business. This visa also offers the potential for long-term stay and a pathway to permanent residency after a few years.

Eligibility Requirements for the Sole Representative Visa

To qualify for the Sole Representative Visa, applicants must meet several specific criteria set by the UK Home Office:

1. Role within the Company

The applicant must be a senior employee or the sole representative of a foreign company. The company should have an established business outside the UK, and the individual applying for the visa must not be a majority shareholder in the company. The role must involve overseeing the company’s operations in the UK.

2. The Business Must Not Have a Presence in the UK

The company that you represent must not already have a presence in the UK (e.g., no subsidiary, branch, or representative office). The Sole Representative Visa is intended for individuals who are tasked with setting up and managing the company’s first UK branch or subsidiary.

3. Employment and Experience

The applicant should be employed by the overseas company and have sufficient experience to act as the sole representative. Typically, the applicant should have a significant managerial or executive role within the business and should be able to prove their ability to manage the new UK branch effectively.

4. English Language Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate their ability to speak and understand English. This can be shown by passing a recognized English language test (e.g., IELTS) at the required level or providing evidence of previous studies in English. The required level is CEFR Level B1.

5. Financial Requirements

Applicants must prove that they have enough money to support themselves and their dependents while living in the UK. This requirement is to ensure that the individual will not rely on public funds. Typically, applicants need to show £1,270 in their bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before applying.

6. Maintenance Funds for the Business

If the applicant is coming to the UK to open a subsidiary or branch of the business, the company must also demonstrate it has enough funding to sustain operations in the UK. This includes enough financial backing for the operation of the UK branch or subsidiary.

Benefits of the Sole Representative Visa

The Sole Representative Visa offers a number of significant benefits for both the individual applicant and the business they represent:

1. Work and Live in the UK

The Sole Representative Visa allows the applicant to live and work in the UK while establishing and managing a branch or subsidiary of their foreign business.

2. Family Inclusion

You can bring your spouse or partner and children under the age of 18 to the UK on your Sole Representative Visa. They will be able to live, work, or study in the UK while you manage the business operations.

3. Path to Permanent Residency

One of the most attractive benefits of the Sole Representative Visa is that it provides a route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years, provided that the business is successful and the applicant has met all the requirements. This provides a path to permanent settlement in the UK for you and your family.

4. No Need to Own the Business

Unlike other business visas, such as the Innovator or Entrepreneur Visa, you do not need to invest a large sum of money to establish your business in the UK. Instead, your company must simply be successful and have the financial backing to support its UK operations.

5. Flexibility in Business Operations

As a Sole Representative, you will have the flexibility to run the UK branch or subsidiary as an independent operation under the guidance of the parent company. You will also have the ability to hire staff, open offices, and pursue business activities within the scope of your duties.