Representative of an Overseas Business visa

Overview

You can apply to come to the UK as a representative of an overseas business if you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland and you’re either:

  • the sole representative of an overseas company planning to set up a UK branch or a wholly owned subsidiary for an overseas parent company
  • an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK

You must also meet the other eligibility requirements.

How long it will take

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

Example You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

Check the guide processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in your country.

Fees

A Representative of an Overseas Business visa costs £610.

An employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation costs £610.

Healthcare surcharge

You must pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you need to pay before you apply.

How long you can stay

You can come to the UK for an initial period of 3 years.

You may be able to extend your visa for another 2 years.

After you’ve been in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

  • work for your employer, full time
  • bring your family (‘dependants’) with you to the UK
  • extend your visa multiple times
  • apply to settle in the UK after you’ve been here for 5 years

You cannot:

  • work for yourself or any other business
  • stay in the UK if the sole representative arrangement is ended by your employer
  • switch to this visa from any other visa category
  • get public funds

    Eligibility

    To be eligible for this visa you must:

    • apply from outside the EEA
    • have enough money to support yourself without help from public funds
    • meet the English requirement

    Sole representatives

    If you are coming to the UK as a sole representative you must:

    • be recruited and employed outside the UK by a company whose headquarters and principal place of business are outside the UK
    • have extensive related industry experience and knowledge
    • hold a senior position within the company (but not be a major shareholder) and have full authority to make decisions on its behalf
    • intend to establish the company’s first commercial presence in the UK, for example a registered branch or a wholly owned subsidiary

    You may also be eligible if the company has a legal entity in the UK that does not employ staff or transact business.

    If your company has been working to establish a UK branch or subsidiary, but it is not yet set up, you can replace a previous sole representative.

    Newspaper, news agency or broadcast employees

    As an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation, you can come to the UK if you’re being posted here on a long-term assignment.

    Knowledge of English

    You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.

    You can prove your knowledge of English by either:

    • passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening
    • having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD

    You may be able to meet the English language requirement in other ways. Check the full visa guidance for detailed information.

    Exceptions

    You will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries:

    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Australia
    • the Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Belize
    • Canada
    • Dominica
    • Grenada
    • Guyana
    • Jamaica
    • New Zealand
    • St Kitts and Nevis
    • St Lucia
    • St Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • USA

    You also may not have to prove your knowledge of English in other circumstances – check the visa guidance.

    Documents you must provide

    When you apply you’ll need to provide:

    • a current passport or other valid travel identification
    • evidence that you can support yourself and any dependants during your trip, for example bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months
    • details of where you’ll be staying during your stay
    • proof that you meet the English requirement
    • your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

    You’ll need to have a blank page in your passport on which to put the visa.

    You’ll need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.

    Read the guide for a list of documents you can provide.

    You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

    Sole representatives

    When applying as a sole representative of an overseas company you’ll need to provide:

    • a full description of the parent company’s activities, including details of assets and accounts
    • a letter confirming the overseas company will establish a wholly-owned subsidiary or register a branch in the UK in the same business activity as the parent company
    • your job description, employment contract and salary details
    • a letter confirming you’re familiar with the company and have the power to take operational decisions

    You should also provide evidence that you:

    • are directly employed by the parent company and are not acting as a sales agent (ie hired by a company to sell or distribute their products within the UK, but working for yourself and providing your services for a fee)
    • were recruited to the company outside of the UK, hold a senior position and are able to make decisions on its behalf and have the authority to establish and operate a registered branch
    • will be working full time for the company for the duration of your stay and will not carry out any other work
    • are not a majority shareholder in the company

    Newspaper, news agency or broadcast employees

    As an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation you must also provide:

    • a full description of the parent company’s activities, including details of assets and accounts
    • confirmation that you will be representing them in the UK in a long term, full-time role

    • Apply

      Read the Representative of an Overseas Business guidance before you apply.

      Apply outside the UK

      You must apply online for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa.

      You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of your application.

      You may be able to get your visa faster or other services depending on what country you’re in – check with your visa application centre.

      North Korea

      You cannot apply online if you’re living in North Korea.

      To apply from North Korea you must:

      Apply in the UK

      You can only extend your existing visa if you’re already in the UK.

      Extend your visa

      You can apply to extend your stay in the UK under a Representative of an Overseas Business visa.

      You should include any dependants who are on your current visa on your application to extend – including children who have turned 18 during your stay.

      You should apply before your current visa expires.

      Eligibility

      You must already have this visa as either:

      • a representative of an overseas business
      • an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation

      You must also meet the following conditions:

      • you’re still working for the same employer as when you were issued your previous visa
      • you’re still working to establish the company’s first presence in the UK
      • your employer’s principal place of business is still outside the UK

      You must be in the UK to extend your visa.

      How long you can stay

      A Representative of an Overseas Business visa can be extended for up to 2 years after the original visa duration of 3 years.

      Your visa can be extended for 3 years if your previous Representative of an Overseas Business visa was issued before 1 October 2009.

      You can apply to settle once you have been in the UK for 5 years and you have an ongoing job with the same company.

      Fees

      For each person applying, you’ll need to pay:

      How to extend your visa

      You must apply online.

      Providing biometric information and supporting documents

      When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).

      You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can: – upload them into the online service – have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

      You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

      Get help using a computer to apply online

      You can get help with:

      • accessing a computer or the internet
      • finding the right information on GOV.UK

        Family members

        Your family members (‘dependants’) can come with you when you come to the UK on this visa. Your family members must have a visa if they’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

        A ‘dependant’ is any of the following:

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

        Dependants applying from outside the UK

        Your family members must apply online.

        They’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at a visa application centre as part of their application.

        They may be able to get their visa faster or other services depending on what country they’re in – check with the visa application centre.

        North Korea

        Your family members cannot apply online if they’re from North Korea.

        To apply from North Korea they must:

        Dependants applying from inside the UK

        Your dependants can apply to extend or switch their visas to stay with you if they’re already in the UK. They must apply online.

        It’s best to submit your dependants’ applications at the same time as yours.

        Members of your family cannot apply in the UK as your dependant if they hold a visitor visa.

        Get help using a computer to apply online

        You can get help with:

        • accessing a computer or the internet
        • finding the right information on GOV.UK
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