Bridge Partners

Representative of an Overseas Business Visa

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is the Representative of an Overseas Business Visa?

This visa route is ideal for businesses that wish to put forward a senior employee to enter the UK, based on helping to establish their commercial presence for the company in the UK. This is effective because it opens opportunities for not only the main applicant and their personal immigration journey, but also for the company.  

Who can apply for the Representative of an Overseas Business Visa?

For those who wish to embark on this visa route, they will need to be an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK.  

What are the requirements?

There are several requirements that must be met to successfully apply for this visa. You will need to ensure the following is met: 

  • You have enough money to support yourself without help from public funds. 
  • You have met the English proficiency requirement (however, you will not need to prove this if you’re a national of one of the listed countries or territories on the gov.uk website). 
  • If applying from overseas, you’ll also need to provide results of your TB test if you’re from a country where you are required to take a test. 
  • As a sole representative, you must also still be supervising the UK branch or subsidiary you established for the overseas business.  

What is the Representative of an Overseas Business processing time?

The processing time for this visa will depend on your circumstance. If you are applying from outside the UK, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before travel. Typically, applicants applying from outside can expect to receive a decision on their visa within 3 weeks. On the other hand, if you choose to apply from inside the UK, then you can expect a decision within 8 weeks. 

Please note, that these processing times can vary depending on your individual situations – for example, UKVI may contact you if your application is taking longer than expected. This is usually due to the following: 

  • Your supporting documents need to be verified 
  • You may need to attend an interview as part of the process 
  • Because of your personal circumstances (e.g. you have a criminal conviction) 

How to apply for a Representative of an Overseas Business?

To successfully apply for the Representative of an Overseas Business Visa, you will be required to complete an online application via the gov.uk website. You will be required to attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to give your biometrics information in the form of your fingerprints and photograph.   

Additionally, you will need to provide supporting documents with your application which may require you to upload them onto an online service when you submit your application or have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment.  

How long does a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa last?

This visa route allows you to remain in the UK for an initial period of 3 years. You may be able to extend your visa for another 2 years.  

Once you have been in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK.  

How much does it cost to get a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa?

The Representative of an Overseas Business Visa can cost £719 when choosing to apply from outside of the UK. If you’re applying from inside the UK, such as extending your visa or switching to this visa from another one, it will cost £625. Please note that the same costs also apply when you are extending your existing visa. 

Additionally, you may also be required to pay other fees with your application like immigration healthcare surcharge.  

Can my dependents be included as part of my Representative of an Overseas Business Visa?

Under this visa route, you may be able to bring your dependents with you to the UK with a Representative of an Overseas Business visa. To check the eligibility of your dependants, they will need to be the following: 

  • Your husband, wife, or partner 
  • Your child under 18 

 

Your family members can also apply to or switch their visas to stay with you if they’re already in the UK – they can either apply at the same time as you, or anytime before their current visa expires.  

How can I apply to include my dependents as part of my Representative of an Overseas Business Visa?

For your dependents to be included as part of your Representative of an Overseas Business Visa, your family members must apply for their own visa via the Gov.uk website. They may also be required to attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide their biometric information.  

Your dependants can either apply at the same time as you, or anytime before their current visa expires. 

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

At Bridge Partners Immigration, we understand the importance of securing work in the UK and eventually settling here permanently. If you’re an employee of an overseas media or news organisation and need to apply for a Representative of an Overseas Business vis, we can help you. With substantial experience in working within UK immigration, we can provide guidance on the eligibility criteria and the different stages of the application process. Please call us today for more information on your eligibility for this visa route. 

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.