Companies planning to set up a branch or subsidiary in the United Kingdom must choose one representative that will oversee the establishment of the office. The requirements are quite stringent. Securing a business visa is challenging for an overseas representative who does not understand the complexities of UK immigration laws.
If you’re a business owner who wants to enter the UK market, you need all the guidance and professional advice you can get. Although you can apply for a business visa on your own, you can increase your chance of visa approval when you work with a UK immigration solicitor.
The representative of an Overseas Business Visa
One of the options to obtain a business visa to the UK is to apply for an overseas business representative visa. This visa applies to a senior executive of a corporation that intends to set up a subsidiary, office or branch of their overseas company. The visa intends to allow foreign companies to have a presence in the UK, not for immigration, but rather to expand their business in the country. A representative of an overseas business visa application requires the submission of several documents.
Who can apply for the visa?
Company representatives from businesses outside the United Kingdom can apply. Disqualified from applying are organisations from Switzerland and countries within the European Economic Area (EEA), which consists of countries belonging to the European Free Trade Association and the European Union.
The visa applicant should either be a senior executive tasked to set up a branch or subsidiary in the UK that is wholly owned by the parent organisation, or an employee of a broadcasting company, newspaper, or news agency with a long-term assignment in the UK.
Eligibility
An applicant must pass the eligibility requirements, which include the following:
- Financially capable of supporting themselves during their stay in the UK, and will not require support from public funds;
- Pass the required level of English language proficiency;
- The principal place of business of the organisation should be in the country where the visa applicant comes from. Moreover, the company must not have any other representative, subsidiary or branch in the UK; and
- The sole representative must be working in the overseas organisation and have extensive knowledge and experience in the same industry. The person should have a senior position in the organisation and have full authority over the branch or subsidiary in the UK. Moreover, the representative must not be a major stockholder in the company.
The business visa application process
Immigration solicitors recommend that you start the visa application process at least three months before you travel to the UK. If you meet all the requirements, you can have a visa within three weeks. The total application fee includes healthcare surcharges.
The initial validity of the visa is three years, with an option to apply for an extension of two years.
Aside from submitting the usual documents, and meeting the eligibility requirements, the applicant must provide a full description of the activities of the parent company, including details of accounts and assets. The company must provide a letter confirming that they are establishing a branch or subsidiary whose operation is similar to the parent company. Other official documents include the details of the sole representative’s employment contract, job description, and salary, and a document attesting to the senior executive’s business knowledge and authority to handle all decisions regarding the business operation. The parent company should also confirm that the sole representative will be working for the branch full time.
