The Sole Representative Visa allows overseas companies to send one senior employee such as directors and managers, as the sole representative to establish and run a UK branch, subsidiary, or representative office. This route suits businesses expanding internationally without a UK presence. You must prove your current senior role in a trading overseas company and genuine intent for active UK commercial operations.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the Sole Representative visa, you must meet the following criteria:
– You must be a current senior employee (e.g., board-level director, senior manager) of an established overseas company OR majority shareholder or director taking hands-on responsibility to establish and run the UK operation.
– You must have full authority to set up and run the UK branch or wholly owned subsidiary.
– You must confirm the UK branch/subsidiary is new and not yet trading.
– You must prove your overseas company has been actively trading, overseas for at least 12 months.
– You must meet CEFR B2 English proficiency (approved test, English degree, or exemption).
– You must demonstrate sufficient maintenance funds to support yourself without public funds.
– You must 18 or over and pass suitability checks (no criminality, immigration violations).
It is important to show genuine intent for active UK commercial operations, not just for market research, trading samples, or promotion.
Duration of stay
Duration & Settlement (ILR)
Sole Representative visa holders can stay initially for 3 years, with the option to extend for another 2 years if your UK branch remains active and trading. After 5 years continuous residence, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), provided your UK business is successful, viable, meets salary requirements, and you’ve maintained continuous UK presence (no more than 180 days’ absence in any 12-month period).
Work rights
On a Sole Representative visa, you can establish and run your sponsored UK branch/subsidiary, plus related work for the overseas parent company. No skill level or salary restrictions apply to paid/self-employment within the business. Supplementary employment (max 20 hours/week) is allowed with other UK employers, provided no conflict with your main role.
FAQs
Can I bring my family?
Yes, your spouse/partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. They can live, study, and work in most jobs in the UK (except as sportspeople).
Do I need a UK job offer?
No, you are sponsored by your overseas parent company. Your role is to establish and run the new UK branch or subsidiary—no UK employer required.
Can I work for other UK employers?
No, you can only work for the UK branch/subsidiary of your overseas company. Any other employment breaches visa conditions and risks curtailment.
What qualifies me as ‘sole representative’?
You must be a current senior employee (e.g., director, manager) with full operational authority to set up and run the UK branch. Majority owners/directors qualify if taking hands-on responsibility.
Can the UK branch already be trading?
No, the UK operation must be new—it cannot exist or trade before your visa application. This distinguishes it from extension applications.
Can I switch to another visa later?
Yes, once your UK branch is established and trading, you can switch in-country to Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or other routes if eligible.
Do I need English proficiency?
Yes, you must prove CEFR B2 English (or higher) via an approved test, degree taught in English, or nationality exemption.
What if my UK business fails?
Failure to establish active trading may prevent visa extensions or settlement. Home Office compliance checks could lead to visa curtailment if conditions aren’t met.
Does my overseas company need trading history?
Yes, it must be actively trading overseas with evidence (e.g., accounts, tax returns) for at least 12 months before application.
Can I be self-employed on this visa?
No, this visa ties you specifically to your overseas company’s UK branch/subsidiary. Self-employment requires a different route like Innovator Founder.
How We Can Help
We provide expert support to help you secure a Sole Representative Visa with confidence. Our services includes reviewing your role and parent company structure to ensure it meets Home Office requirements, providing guidance on business planning, documentation, and immigration strategy, advising on salary thresholds, job codes, and duties for full compliance and managing the complete Sponsor Licence application process and UKVI liaison. We can also help with assisting with visa application preparation and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) and supporting dependant applications for spouse/partner and children, plus ongoing compliance guidance.
With our detailed guidance and professional expertise, your Sole Representative Visa application will be prepared thoroughly to give you the best chance of success.