Representative of an Overseas Business Visa

What is a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa?

A Representative of an Overseas Business visa enables an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation to be posted on a long-term assignment to the UK.

What Are the Key Eligibility Requirements for Representative of an Overseas Business Visa?

In order to successfully apply for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa applicants must meet the following key requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must represent an overseas business or media organisation that that is active and trading outside the UK, with its headquarters and principal place of business remaining outside the UK;
• Must have been recruited and employed outside the UK by the business they intend to represent in the UK;
• Must intend to work full-time for the organisation;
• Must be a genuine representative of an overseas business;
• Must meet the required level of English language;
• Must have sufficient money to support themselves; and
• May need to provide a tuberculosis (TB) certificate depending on which country the applicant resides in.

The above requirements are not exhaustive and will vary depending on each application.

How Long is a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa Valid for?

A Representative of an Overseas Business visa is initially granted for 3 years.

Can a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa be Extended?

Before the expiry of a Representative of an Overseas Business visa, applicants must apply to the Home Office to extend their stay in the UK. If the extension application is approved, they will be granted a visa to remain in the UK for another 2 years.

Does a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa Lead to Settlement?

Once an applicant has held a Representative of an Overseas Business visa for 5 years, they will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. This gives settled status in the UK, also known as ‘settlement’. It gives the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as an applicant wishes to do so and apply for benefits if eligible.

Will an Applicant be Eligible for British Citizenship?

Once an applicant has held indefinite leave to remain in the UK for 12 months, an applicant may be eligible to apply for British Citizenship. If, however an applicant is married to a British Citizen, an applicant will not need to wait 12 months and may be eligible to apply immediately for British Citizenship by naturalisation after obtaining indefinite leave to remain.

Can Dependants Join or Accompany Representatives of an Overseas Business?

The partner and children of an applicant can accompany or join them so long as they meet the eligibility criteria. If this is met, they will be issued a visa which will have the same end date as the Representative of an Overseas Business visa holder.

How Long Does it Take for a Decision to be Made?

The Home Office will usually process an application for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa submitted outside the UK within 3 weeks.

An application for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa made within the UK is usually decided within 8 weeks.

If eligible, applicants will be advised whether they can apply to get a decision faster. The Home Office charge additional fees for these priority services.

How Much Does it Cost?

The Home Office fee for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa made from outside the UK is £625. If an application is made within the UK the visa cost is £719.

Applicants will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This is usually £624 per year.

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