If you are applying for a UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa, you should familiarize yourself with the documents required to become a Sole Representative in the country. In addition to the documents needed to apply for UK Sole Representative visas, applicants must also fulfill a number of eligibility requirements relating to their intended role as a sole representative. Keep reading for information about where you can find the documents required for a Sole Representative visa, and to find out what is UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa eligibility for—among other essential information about this popular UK business visa.
Documents required for the Sole Representative Visa
- In order to apply for a UK Sole Representative visa, you will have to supply a number of basic required documents. These will almost certainly include the following:
- Passport (valid, unexpired, with room for your new visa).
- Proof of subsistence:
- Applicants for all UK business visas must demonstrate their ability to financially support themselves throughout their time in the country.
- As evidence, applicants can provide financial information, including proof of salary, bank account information, and other official documentation attesting to the amount of money currently in their possession and their future earnings.
- Applicants from abroad have to provide information about their residence in the country upon arrival (such as hotel address).
- Evidence that you fulfill the English language requirement:
- As an applicant, you can demonstrate your English-speaking and -listening abilities by either scoring high enough on an official English test, having graduated from (and providing proof thereof) an English-language college/university or having received a degree (minimum bachelor’s) from an English language college/university.
- If you are from one of the English-speaking countries below, you don’t have to provide any of the above proof of being able to speak English: 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, and USA.
- Applicants whose documents are not presented in either English or Welsh must include an official translation into either language.
- If you are applying from one of these countries, you may have to provide medical documents attesting to your having tested negative for tuberculosis.
- In addition to the above required documents, you will also have to submit a number of specific materials related to your capacity as a would-be sole representative. These include the following documents:
- Written overview of what the business you are representing is all about, including its operations and financials.
- Written description of your specific role within the company, including details about your payment and the terms and conditions of your employment.
- Letter attesting to the fact that this abroad-based entity is committed to establishing a UK location that is of an identical nature to the abroad-based entity.
- Letter attesting to the fact that you are aware of the particulars of the company you are representing and are empowered to act fully on its behalf.
- Proof that you were hired while abroad (i.e. not while you were in Britain).
- Proof that you are not a sales agent for the company you work for (i.e. that you work for them directly).
- Proof that you are neither an owner nor a controller of the abroad-based company.
- Proof that you will function as a full-time employee of the company and that you will work exclusively for it and not accept any other job while in the UK.
Where can you find the documents required for a Sole Representative Visa?
- You can find the majority of information about the documents needed to apply for UK Sole Representative at your bank. However, most of the required documents will already be among your possessions.
- If you do not already have a passport, you must obtain one in order to apply for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa. You can apply for a passport from the country you are a citizen of (there is usually a fee associated with this). Before applying for your UK Sole Representative visa, check to make sure that your passport is still valid and hasn’t expired and that it has enough space for your UK business visa. If it has either expired or ran out of space, you should apply to renew it prior to applying for your Sole Representative visa.
- You can request the majority of financial documents you are required to submit as evidence of proof of subsistence from your banks or from your employer (for example, your boss can send you an official pay stub or salary slip for the previous half a year so that you can prove how much money you have in your possession and therefore your ability to afford your living expenses in the UK).
- Other required documents, such as those provided as evidence for the English language requirement, include degrees and test scores, should be obtained from an official source (such as from the university/college you graduated/received a degree from).
- If you are from one of the countries that does not have to prove their English language speaking abilities, you can simply provide your passport as proof of your citizenship.
- Please note that you may be asked to submit originals of the above documents and materials. Alternatively, the authorities may accept official copies.
- Finally, you will likely be able to upload/scan the majority of the required documents/materials. However, if you prefer you likely can mail them in to the requisite deciding authority.
What is UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa eligibility for?
- Eligibility for Representative of an Overseas Business is required for those seeking a UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa.
- Those eligible for the UK Sole Representative visa include the following:
- Individuals who credibly demonstrate their intent to come to the UK for the purpose of establishing the new UK entity of an abroad-based business, as the sole (only) representative of that particular business entity.
- Those who prove that the company they are working for is both active and trading and is also permanently located abroad.
- Those who prove that, despite being neither the owner nor the main operator of the entity they are working for, they are invested with the power to act entirely for it.
- Those who are working for an abroad-based media company or outlet who are immigrating to the country in order to assume a position that will require them to spend several years working in the UK.
- Those who fulfill the English language requirements.
- Those who demonstrate proof of subsistence.
- Those who submit all of their required documents.
- Those who are judged not to present either a security or criminal risk to the UK (i.e. those who pass a full background check).
- Please note that applicants must fulfill all the above requirements in order to be eligible for a Sole Representative visa.
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