This application is suitable for a representative of an active and trading company with its main operations overseas to come to the United Kingdom to establish a wholly owned subsidiary or to register a branch on their employer’s behalf. Only one employee of the company may hold this type of visa at any given time.

The UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa is valid for an initial period of 3 years and can be extended for 2 years if the business is still running, and the applicant continues to be employed.

Towards the end of 5 years in the UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK and citizenship a year later.

1.

Handling and Applications Fees

Our handling fee for the UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa application is GBP7,200. An extra GBP1,800 will be charged for each dependent visa.

In Particular, our fees cover the following services:

1. Advice and guidance on end-to-end process regarding the UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa application;
2. Tailor made document checklist and assistance with the preparation of the supporting documents;
3. Review of documents prepared by the applicant(s) and employing company;
4. Detailed case assessment before submission;
5. Drafting of application form(s), statements and authorization letters as necessary;
6. Lodging of online Visa Application to the UK Home Office (UKVI);
7. Booking of appointment at the Visa Application Centre where required;
8. Liaising with the UKVI regarding the application;
9. Reporting of application status to the applicant(s) and employing company;
10. Pre-departure visa endorsement check.

1. The fees quoted are exclusive of the government fees and any surcharges.
2. Priority service is available for an extra fee charged by the UK Home Officer varying from £240 to £800 depending on your location (5 or 1 working day(s) processing time available).
3. The fees stated are exclusive of delivery charges, translation fees, notarization fees, etc., if any.
4. The fees stated are exclusive of the preparation of a business plan, where applicable. Please contact us for a separate quotation.
5. For your reference, the cost of the visa application is £610 and the healthcare surcharge is £624 per year (applicable to any visa with a duration of 6 months or more).

2.

Payment Terms and Method

Upon receipt of the confirmation of engagement, we will issue an invoice and email it to you together with the detailed payment instructions. Due to the nature of the service, we require full payment in advance. In addition, once service is commenced, no service fees will be refunded.

We currently only accept check, cash or TT and credit card payment through PayPal. If invoice is settled by PayPal, an extra 5% service fee will be charged.

If China or Taiwan official tax invoice is required, Value-Added Tax or Business Tax at the prevailing rate in the respective jurisdiction will be charged and collected.

3.

Eligibility Criteria

The Foreign Company:

1. Is an active and trading overseas business;
2. Has its headquarters and principal place of business outside the United Kingdom;
3. Has no other active branch, subsidiary or representative in the UK;
4. Intends to establish a registered branch or wholly owned subsidiary in the UK that will actively trade in the same business activity as the overseas business;
5. Will not be established or the sole representative appointed mainly for the purpose of facilitating the entry or stay of the sole representative in the UK;
6. Intends to maintain the center of its operations.

The UK Sole Representative of the Overseas Business Visa Beneficiary:

1. Is a genuine representative of the overseas business;
2. Has been recruited outside the UK;
3. Is an existing senior employee of the overseas business;
4. Has the skills, attributes, experience and knowledge of the business necessary to undertake the role in the UK;
5. Must be a senior manager with full authority to take operational decisions on behalf of the overseas firm in the UK;
6. Must be employed full time as the UK-based representative;
7. Does NOT intend to take any other employment or work for themselves;
8. Does NOT have a majority stake in, or otherwise own or control, a majority of the overseas business, whether that ownership or control is by means of a shareholding, partnership agreement, sole proprietorship or any other arrangement;
9. Must satisfy the English language requirement to at least CEFR Level A1 (speaking and listening);
10. Must have enough funds to adequately maintain and accommodate self and dependents in the UK, without recourse to public funds;
11. Must not bring a partner if that partner has majority share of or owns or controls the overseas business.

• The information and eligibility criteria contained herein are subject to change by the UK Home Office (UKVI) without prior notice. Please consult with Kaizen’s professionals before submission.

4.

Documentary Evidence and Information Requirements

From Foreign Company

1. A full description of the overseas business’s activities (including details of the business’s assets, accounts and the business share distribution or ownership for the previous year);
2. Business plans in the UK;
3. A letter confirming the company intends to create a wholly owned subsidiary or branch office in the UK in the same business activity as the overseas business;
4. A job description, salary, and contract of employment that will apply to the applicant during their employment in the UK (also ensuring that the applicant is employed by the company and not merely an agent);
5. A letter confirming that the applicant is fully familiar with the overseas business’s activities and has the relevant skills, experience, knowledge and authority necessary to negotiate and take operational decisions without reference to the overseas business;
6. Confirmation that the applicant was employed outside the UK and will be working only for the organization that is sending him/her to the UK;
7. A notarized statement to confirm that:
1. the applicant will be their Sole Representative in the UK;
2. the overseas business has no other branch, subsidiary or representative in the UK;
3. the overseas business’s operations will remain centered overseas.

From UK Company

1. Evidence of having generated business, where applicable, principally with businesses in the UK, on behalf of their employer since the last permission in this category (must be in the form of accounts, copies of invoices or letters from firms who they have done business with, including indications of the value of transactions);
2. A Companies House Certificate of Registration as a UK establishment (for a branch);
3. A Certificate of Incorporation (for a wholly-owned subsidiary) with either a copy of the share register or a letter from the company’s accountants confirming that all shares are held by the overseas business;
4. A letter from the UK Company confirming that the applicant supervises the UK branch or subsidiary.

For Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa beneficiary

1. A valid passport or other document that shows the identity and nationality of the senior employee;
2. Proof of having enough funds to support him/herself and any accompanying family members (e.g. bank statements, pay slips for the last 6 months, etc.);
3. Proof of English language ability (unless exempted);
4. Accommodation detail in the UK;
5. Tuberculosis test results if applicant is transferred from a listed country.

1. All applicants need to provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.
2. Evidence of English ability is NOT required for applicant(s) from Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA.
   

5.

Estimated Processing Procedure

Detailed evidence of intention to set up a UK branch or subsidiary must be submitted to the nearest British diplomatic post in the applicant’s country of usual residence. This may include the business plan, company accounts, etc., in addition to documentation explaining the terms and conditions of the applicant’s employment, their suitability for the post and their ability to cover his/her and any dependants’ living costs in the UK.

The standard processing time for entry clearance applications is approximately 4 weeks when you apply from outside the UK. Further note that the earliest application time is 3 months prior to your planned travel date.

Please be noted that applicants must activate their visa within 30 days after it is issued.

Related Topics: Schengen Visa (Type C)