UK Sole Representative Business Visa’s Requirements Explained

What is the role of a Sole representative?

1. A senior employee of a company who can establish the business in the UK.
2. Any member of the news or broadcasting agency
3. A sole representative has less than 50% shares in the business
4. CEFR level A1 English proficiency in both speaking and listening.

A sole representative’s role is to make decisions on behalf of the business and expand its presence in the UK. A sole representative is a person of relevant skills knowledgeable enough to know the UK market’s pros and cons and can run the business based on that.He/she can hire foreign nationals to work for business purposes and can sponsor skilled workers. The visa allows you to stay and work for up to 3 years. Before applying for a sole representative visa, the company should thoroughly go through the sole representative visa UK guidance and eligibility requirements.

Essential requirements for Sole representative include:

1. A sole representative to be knowledgeable in making decisions on behalf of the firm.
2. A sole representative must be a senior member of the parent company, preferably a senior manager or HR manager.
3. Finances to sustain your subsidiary in the UK
4. The sole representative must have English language proficiency
5. The parent company recruits a sole representative to represent the parent company in the UK
6. All primary operations of this parent company will remain outside the UK.
7. The parent company must not have any other subsidiaries in the UK and it should be the first subsidiary or branch of the parent company.

English Proficiency test

You can prove your English language skills by:

1. Passing the CEFR level A1 English language test in both speaking and listening.
2. You can also have an academic qualification by any university recognised by the UK NARIC.
3. The academic qualification could be a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD from any university in the UK.

However, there are some exceptions under which you are exempted to give the English proficiency test. You don’t need to give the test if you are a citizen of any of the following countries

1. USA
2. Antigua and Barbuda
3. Australia
4. Barbados
5. Belize
6. Canada
7. Dominica
8. Grenada
9. Guyana
10. the Bahamas
11. Jamaica
12. New Zealand
13. St Kitts and Nevis
14. St Lucia
15. St Vincent and the Grenadines
16. Trinidad and Tobago

Check your documents before you make an application.

1. Your passport. Make sure it has blank pages, else you would have to apply for a fresh passport.
2. All your travel documents
3. Proof of your identity and the relationship with dependants
4. Details of your accommodation in the UK
5. Proof of English proficiency test
6. Your tuberculosis test results, if applicable.
7. A brief account of your organisation, its assets, liabilities and other account details.
8. A letter clarifying the company’s intention to set up a branch or a subsidiary in the UK
9. The job role of a sole representative, salary and proof you can make independent decisions on behalf of the parent company
10. Proof of the employment of a sole representative and that you are employed outside the UK and would solely work for the parent company.

Cost of a Sole representative visa

1. The company pays £610 per applicant plus an immigration health surcharge.
2. immigration health surcharge fees of £624 per year per person
3. They can also charge £19.20 for biometrics and other procedures.

Application process

To apply for a sole rep visa, the following steps to be taken

1. An application form to be submitted online with documents evidence its trading in the UK.
2. A letter, giving details of company background.
3. The company must comply with the Home Office if any additional document is asked.
4. The company must fulfil all information shared in the letter and documents.

At times the visa process could appear daunting and time-consuming with the Home Office compliances. It is best recommended to seek advice from immigration lawyers. A Y & J Solicitors have the best immigration lawyers in London who understand the complex UK visa requirements and immigration needs.

Final Words:

A sole representative’s role is to make decisions on behalf of the business and expand its presence in the UK. A sole representative is a person of relevant skills knowledgeable enough to know the UK market’s pros and cons and can run the business based on that. The visa allows you to stay and work for up to 3 years. Essential eligibility requirements are that a sole representative be knowledgeable in making decisions on behalf of the firm. He/she must be a senior member of the parent company, preferably a senior manager or HR manager. Have finances to sustain your subsidiary in the UK. The sole representative must have A1 level English language proficiency.