Representative of an Overseas Business visa

The Representative of an Overseas Business visa is a UK visa category that allows senior employees of an overseas business to establish a branch in the UK.

The visa allows the representative to come to the UK for an initial period of up to 3 years, with the possibility of an extension for another 2 years. The Representative of an Overseas Business visa is intended to facilitate the establishment of a business presence in the UK by allowing senior employees to oversee the setting up of a branch or subsidiary.

If you need legal advice or help with your Representative of an Overseas Business visa application, our experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the help you need.

Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form for immigration advice and help with your Representative of an Overseas Business visa application.

Table of Contents

• What is a Representative of an Overseas Business visa?
• Requirements for Representative of an Overseas Business visa
• Extension of Representative of an Overseas Business visa
• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
• Your partner and children
• Visa application processing time
• How can our immigration lawyer help you?

Requirements for Representative of an Overseas Business visa

To be eligible for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa in the UK, you must meet the following requirements:

• Senior employee: You must be a senior employee of an overseas business, which means that you should hold a senior position within the organization such as director or senior manager. You must have the authority to make decisions on behalf of the overseas business.
• Plan to establish a branch or subsidiary: You must be planning to establish a branch or subsidiary of the overseas business in the UK. This can include setting up a wholly-owned subsidiary, registering as a UK establishment, or establishing a branch office.
• Genuine business: The purpose of your visit to the UK must be to establish a genuine business presence in the UK, and the business must not already have an established presence in the UK.
• Financial requirements: You must be able to show that you can support yourself without relying on public funds while in the UK. You should provide evidence of your financial status, such as bank statements or payslips.
• English language proficiency: You must meet the English language proficiency requirement, which can be demonstrated by passing an approved English language test or by being a national of a majority English-speaking country.
• Skills and experience: You must have the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary to carry out your role as a representative of the overseas business.
• TB test: If you are from a country where tuberculosis is prevalent, you must provide a tuberculosis (TB) test result as part of your application.

It's important to note that the requirements for the Representative of an Overseas Business visa can be complex and subject to change, so it's recommended that applicants seek professional advice and assistance when preparing their application.

Extension of Representative of an Overseas Business visa

If you are already in the UK on a Representative of an Overseas Business visa and wish to extend your stay, you may be able to apply for an extension of your visa.  The visa is typically issued for up to three years, and apply to extend it for further 2 years.

You should apply for an extension before your current visa expires. You must apply online using the relevant application form. It's important to ensure that you provide all the required documents and information to support your application.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

Representative of an Overseas Business visa is typically issued for up to three years, and it may be extended for further 2 years. After completing 5 years, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

It's also important to note that an extension of your Representative of an Overseas Business visa may not automatically lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. If you wish to apply for ILR, you must meet the eligibility requirements for this visa category and apply separately.

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your 'dependants' if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

A 'dependant' is any of the following:

• your husband, wife or partner
• your child under 18

If you're a sole representative, your husband, wife or partner cannot be in the UK as your dependant if they own or control a majority of the overseas business you will be representing.

Representative of an Overseas Business visa processing time

You should get a decision on your Representative of an Overseas Business visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK using the standard service. You may be able to use priority service to get your visa faster depending on what country you're in.

How can our immigration lawyer help you?