Representative of an Overseas Business Visa

Representative of an Overseas Business Visa – Overview
The Representative of an Overseas Business visa is designed for senior employees of an overseas company who are being sent to the UK to establish and run the UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary of that business. It is also available to long-term employees of overseas media organisations posted on a long-term assignment to the UK.

⚠️ Note: This visa route has been closed to new applicants as of April 2022 and has been replaced by the UK Expansion Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility route. However, individuals already in the UK under this route may still extend their stay or apply for settlement.

Who Can Still Use This Route?
You can apply to extend your visa or settle (apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain) if you:

• Were granted a visa as a Representative of an Overseas Business before the route closed to new applicants
• Have continuously worked to establish and operate the UK branch or subsidiary
• Meet all relevant extension or settlement criteria

Eligibility Requirements (for extension or settlement)
You must show that:

• You are still working for the same employer that sent you to the UK
• The employer’s main operations remain outside the UK
• You have established and supervised the UK branch or subsidiary
• You have not taken other employment or started your own business
• You meet the English language and financial requirements

For settlement: you have spent 5 continuous years in the UK under this visa and meet the continuous residence rules

What the Visa Allows You to Do

• Live and work in the UK
• Bring your dependants (partner and children)
• Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years
• Access NHS healthcare and some public services

Not Allowed

• You cannot switch to this visa from another UK visa
• You cannot take other employment outside your representative role
• You cannot apply if the company is already actively trading in the UK”