Sole Representative / Overseas Business Rep Visa

For overseas business employees sent to establish a UK branch or subsidiary.

Reviewed by Border & Boundaries Immigration Team·Last updated 30 Aug 2026

Overview

The Sole Representative visa (now Overseas Business Representative) allows an employee of an overseas company to come to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary. The route has been largely replaced but existing holders may still extend.

Overview & Eligibility

What is the Sole Representative route?

This legacy route allowed a senior employee of an overseas company to enter the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary. It has largely been replaced by Global Business Mobility routes, but some existing holders may still extend or settle under transitional rules.

Who may have qualified

Applicants typically needed to be senior employees recruited abroad, not majority shareholders, with a genuine plan to establish UK operations. New entrants today usually consider Senior/Specialist Worker or UK Expansion Worker instead.

Planning a new UK branch today

Multinationals now often use Senior/Specialist Worker or expansion routes with sponsor licences. We advise on the structure that fits your group.

Requirements & Evidence

Overseas company and role

Corporate documents, seniority evidence, and recruitment outside the UK supported many applications.

UK establishment plan

Business plans for the UK branch, financial projections, and governance arrangements were central to credibility.

Shareholding and control

Majority shareholders were usually excluded. Ownership charts clarified control structures.

Applying, Costs & Refusals

How to apply

Existing representatives with valid leave may apply to extend using legacy procedures if still permitted. New branch setups should explore current Global Business Mobility and sponsor licence options before relying on old sole rep guidance.

Costs & processing time

Extension and ILR fees follow Home Office tables in force at application date (subject to change as of 2026). New-route sponsor licence and visa fees are separate if you choose a modern pathway.

Common reasons applications are refused

Applicant is majority shareholder or lacks senior employee status
UK branch plan not credible or overseas company not genuine
Applying under closed or wrong route for new entrants
Weak evidence of recruitment outside the UK
Failure to meet extension residence requirements

Key Requirements

Role	Senior employee of overseas parent company
Purpose	Establish and operate UK branch or subsidiary
Experience	Must have been recruited outside the UK
Control	Must not be a majority shareholder

Typical Supporting Documents

Valid passport
Evidence of senior role with overseas company
Business plan for UK branch
Overseas company registration documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Sole Representative visa still open?

It is largely closed to new applicants and replaced by other Global Business Mobility routes. Some people with existing leave may extend — others need a current route such as Senior/Specialist Worker.

Can a company owner use Sole Representative visa?

Majority shareholders were generally excluded. Owners often explore self-sponsorship, Innovator Founder, or expansion routes instead.

What visa replaces Sole Representative for opening a UK branch?

Groups often use UK Expansion Worker or Senior/Specialist Worker once a UK entity and sponsor licence exist. The best choice depends on group structure and timing.

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