Sole Representative Visa
What is a UK Sole Representative Visa?
Previously referred to as the Sole Representative Visa, the UK Expansion Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility) is a visa that targets individuals who manage a business overseas and will now manage a UK expansion. You must already be working for the overseas business as either a senior manager or specialist employee.
The Sole Representative visa applies to businesses that have not started trading in the UK.
The overseas business will need a valid Sponsor Licence for the branch that they want to set up in the UK.
On the Sole Representative visa, you can stay in the UK for whichever is shorter:
- 12 months after the start date of the job on your certificate of sponsorship
- the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
You can apply to extend your visa by 12 months. The maximum time you can stay in the UK on a UK Expansion Worker visa is 2 years.
You apply for the visa online. The application fee is £259.
You will usually hear back with a decision within 3 weeks if you are outside the UK, and within 8 weeks if you are inside the UK.
You will also have to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) as part of your application.
You also need to prove that you have at least £1,270 in your bank account to demonstrate that you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 consecutive days within your application date.
Who is eligible for a UK Sole Representative Visa?
To apply for the Sole Representative visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer, containing the name of the employer and their Sponsor Licence number.
- You must have worked for your employer outside the UK.
- You must do a job which is on the list of eligible occupations
- You must be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job.
What Documents Do I Need to Provide for Sole Representative Visa UK?
In order to obtain a Sole Representative visa you will need to have the necessary supporting documentation.
- You must provide your job title, annual salary, and your job’s occupation code.
- Documents to prove your identity- such as a current passport and valid travel documents.
- Financial evidence to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself when you arrive in the UK (e.g. bank statements).
- If applicable, you will need to submit your tuberculosis test results.
- You must provide any other supporting documents that UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) asks for.
- You may be asked to submit evidence that you have worked for your employer outside the UK.
- You may be asked to provide a valid ATAS certificate if your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher.
Can I Bring My Family With Me to the UK on Sole Repesentative Visa?
You can apply to bring your partner and children with you to the UK as your ‘dependants’. You must apply for them separately and provide evidence of your relationship.
Your partner and children will also have to prove that they can support themselves financially while they are in the UK. You must submit bank statements to prove this.
You, your partner or your child, will need the prove the following amount by bank statements:
- £285 for your partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
The immigration professionals at Synergy Immigration Solutions understand the complexity of the UK’s immigration laws and the issues that can arise during the application process.
We enjoy working with individuals who need assistance with their visa applications.
We will liaise with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on your behalf- saving you the time, effort, workload, and stress.
We will answer your questions and address any concerns. We are proud to offer a bespoke personalised service, tailoring our advice to suit your needs and ensure that your application has the best chance of success.
We process all applications in an efficient and timely manner and keep our clients well-informed throughout the process- so, rest assured, you are in good hands if you leave your visa application to us.
It is vital that the correct documentation is in place to ensure the application is approved. We would always recommend that you appoint a specialist such as Synergy Immigration Solutions to manage this process for you.
Sole Representative Visa or UK Expansion Worker Visa?
In April 2022, the Sole Representative visa was changed and replaced by the more in-depth, Expansion Worker visa. This was updated to reflect UK immigration laws and better support the UK economy as it continued to deal with the effects of both the pandemic and the UK leaving the EU. Other initiatives, such as the publication of the UK Shortage Occupation List, were adopted to support UK industries at this time and have shaped the UK’s official UK Global Mobility Routes.
If you want to know more about the new visa that has replaced the Sole Representative one and assess your eligibility, keep reading as there are a few changes that you will need to know about.
Why Should I Choose Synergy Immigration Solutions to Support My Application for a UK Expansion Worker Visa?
If you work for a business that will thrive in the UK, you will likely be approved for this visa. We hate to break it to you though that the application process will be complex. Fear not as we are on hand to dot the I’s and cross the T’s so that you stand the best chance of being approved for your exciting new business activity.
We have extensive experience in supporting both the previous Sole Representative Visa and the Expansion Worker Visa, so by working with us, you will benefit from the following:
- Professionally approve legal advice from an OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) registered company. This form of visa also specifies that only agents that are OISC approved can act on behalf of applicants making us the perfect choice. When you have multiple legal teams to deal with in business, it can become overwhelming to see clearly. We can step in and provide you with affordable advice that will make your application a working reality.
- Affordable prices for premium services.
- Ongoing support during your application is essential if you have met with further questions or need to supply any more evidence. Whilst we wouldn’t expect an application to need additional support once we have approved it for submission, due to ever-changing expectations from the government, you never know what you may face.
- We can also provide full support for a range of other business visa services. You may end up needing support with these if you are planning on bringing other colleagues to work with you, want to have your family settled in the UK during your stay or even if you decide to apply for a longer visa than the two years you will initially be given. Whatever you decide, we are on hand to provide you with the best advice for your own situation.