Representative of an Overseas Business Visa
If you are looking to expand your operations in to the UK you may be able to take advantage of the Representative of and Overseas Business category. A senior employee of your overseas business can establish your UK branch office or subsidiary.
In this category the Representative can bring his/her spouse and children to the UK and they will eventually have the right to reside in the UK permanently and ultimately qualify for British Citizenship.
Immigration to the UK is arguably more difficult than ever. The requirements are tough, the law is complex and the rules and policies frequently change. On top of this UK Visas & Immigration has strict rules on the documentation needed to support applications. If the correct documents are not submitted in precisely the format required, the application will fail.
Despite this, at Lupins we continue to have a successful track record for our clients.
The following is a basic overview. Please remember there is no substitute for seeking advice directly from one of our experts as every case is different and the law is constantly changing.
Requirements
A business which has its headquarters or principle place of business outside the UK can send an overseas representative to the UK to set up a branch office or subsidiary in the UK.
The main requirements are:
The overseas representative must be a senior employee with authority to take operational decisions on behalf of the business
The overseas business should have no branch or subsidiary or other representatives in the UK.
The business in the UK should be the same type of business activity as the overseas business
The representative must be employed full time in the UK as a representative of the overseas business.
The representative cannot be a majority shareholder of the overseas business.
The representative must have competence in English Language equivalent to Level A1 of the Council of Europe Common European Framework.
The representative must be able to show that he or she can maintain and accommodate him or herself and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds, ie benefits.
Extensions of Stay, Indefinite Leave/Settlement
If successful, applicants are normally granted leave to enter the UK for 3 years which can then be extended for a further 2 years. After 5 years continuous stay in the UK the representative can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
British Citizenship
Our overriding aim, is to not only ensure that you obtain your visa to enter the UK, but also to make sure that you are in the best possible position to make a successful application for your extension of stay and ultimately settlement. Once you have been settled in the UK for 12 Months, you may be eligible to apply for Naturalisation as a British Citizen should you so wish. At LUPINS, we can also help you with your applications for British Nationality.
Additional Services
We will put you in touch with the right experts to assist you in moving to the UK, establishing your operations in the UK and advise on setting up a Company and all aspects of Commercial Law.
We will assist any family members that are dependant on the overseas representative as family members can also apply to enter and remain in the UK.
OUR PROMISE
If you come to LUPINS, you will get the result you want.
If there is a way, we find it and do it for you.
If there is no way we tell you, and don’t waste your time.
Where there is a way, we will deliver.
Lawrence Lupin – Founding Director
LUPINS support you all the way:
We will ensure that you have the documentation to prove you fulfil the requirements of the Immigration Rules.
We will advise and assist you in completing the application forms
We will hold your hands throughout the application process, liaising with the British Consulate and their appointed overseas agents.
We will make detailed representations in support of the application setting out clearly why the application should succeed, highlighting the documentation we are submitting and how this proves you satisfy the legal requirements.
Put simply, our immigration solicitors will hold your hands throughout the process,
liaising with all relevant government bodies, including UK Visas and Immigration,
British Consulate, overseas agents and where necessary the courts.