The Sole Representative Visa route was designed to allow a senior employee of an overseas business to establish a commercial presence in the UK, typically by setting up a registered branch or wholly owned subsidiary. It offered a pathway for companies without an existing UK footprint to expand into the British market without having to immediately establish a fully staffed office.
However, the Sole Representative route closed to new applicants on 11 April 2022 and was replaced by the UK Expansion Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes. While no new applications are accepted, those who were granted a Sole Representative Visa before its closure can still apply to extend their stay and, if eligible, settle in the UK.
What this article is about
This article provides a comprehensive guide for those who currently hold, or are considering the implications of, the Sole Representative Visa in 2025. It explains the route’s original purpose, the eligibility requirements for existing visa holders, the process for extension applications, and the conditions that apply while in the UK. It also covers the differences between this route and its successor, the UK Expansion Worker visa, and outlines the pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Section A: Overview of the Sole Representative Visa
The Sole Representative Visa was part of the UK immigration system aimed at enabling overseas businesses to establish an initial operational base in the UK. It allowed a single senior employee—known as the ‘sole representative’—to come to the UK to set up and run a branch or wholly owned subsidiary of their overseas employer. This option provided an efficient way for businesses to gain a foothold in the UK market without requiring immediate sponsorship under the points-based system.
For many companies, this route offered a practical bridge between having no UK presence and building a fully operational branch, allowing the representative to manage early business development, marketing, and client acquisition directly from the UK.
1. Purpose of the visa
The main purpose was to provide a straightforward immigration route for an overseas company’s senior decision-maker to enter the UK to establish its first branch or subsidiary. The visa was designed to support UK inward investment by attracting foreign companies seeking to expand operations.
2. Historical context and closure to new applicants
The route closed to new applicants on 11 April 2022. This was part of the UK Government’s wider reforms under the Global Business Mobility framework, which introduced the UK Expansion Worker visa as its successor. The closure was intended to streamline business mobility routes, provide clearer compliance structures, and align with sponsorship requirements under the points-based immigration system.
For individuals who already hold a Sole Representative Visa, the closure does not affect their ability to apply for an extension or for ILR if they meet the relevant requirements.
3. Difference between Sole Representative Visa and UK Expansion Worker Visa
While the Sole Representative Visa allowed unsponsored entry for a representative, the UK Expansion Worker visa requires the overseas business to hold a UK sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the employee. This creates additional compliance and reporting obligations for the business, but also integrates the route into the broader sponsorship system, providing greater oversight for the Home Office.
Other key differences include:
- Ownership restrictions: Both routes require the applicant not to be a majority shareholder.
- Length of stay: Sole Representative route provided an initial 3-year grant with the possibility of a 2-year extension, leading to ILR after 5 years. UK Expansion Worker visa holders can stay for up to 12 months initially, with a maximum stay of 2 years.
- Settlement rights: Sole Representative Visa holders can qualify for ILR after 5 years, whereas the UK Expansion Worker route does not lead directly to settlement.
Section Summary
The Sole Representative Visa was a flexible and business-friendly immigration route that helped overseas companies take their first steps into the UK market. While no longer available to new applicants, it continues to offer a viable pathway for current visa holders to extend their stay and progress toward settlement. Its replacement, the UK Expansion Worker visa, introduces sponsorship obligations and shorter stay limits, making it a different proposition for new entrants.
Section B: Eligibility Requirements
For those who held a Sole Representative Visa before its closure to new applicants, the eligibility rules remain important when applying for an extension or ILR. The Home Office will continue to assess whether the visa holder and the overseas business meet the route’s conditions.
The requirements applied to both the overseas company and the individual applicant, with the Home Office requiring documentary evidence to confirm compliance.
1. Overseas business requirements
The overseas company had to be a genuine, active and trading business with its headquarters and principal place of business outside the UK. To qualify:
- The company must have had no active branch, subsidiary, or other registered presence in the UK.
- The expansion must have been intended to create a UK branch or wholly owned subsidiary that would carry out the same business activity as the parent company.
- The business must have demonstrated a clear and credible business plan for UK operations, including financial forecasts, staffing projections, and market analysis.
The Home Office assessed the financial standing of the company to ensure it had the resources to support UK operations without requiring public funds.
2. Representative requirements
The visa holder had to be:
- An existing senior employee of the overseas company at the time of application.
- Appointed as the sole UK representative with full authority to take operational decisions on behalf of the business.
- Employed outside the UK at the time of application and recruited from overseas by the company.
- Not a majority shareholder of the overseas company.
- Able to demonstrate relevant skills, experience, and knowledge of the business sector.
English language ability at CEFR level A1 or higher was required at the initial application stage, increasing to B1 for settlement applications.
3. Evidence required
Supporting documentation for the visa included:
- A detailed letter from the overseas company confirming the applicant’s role, authority, and employment history.
- Proof of trading activity, such as audited accounts, business registration documents, and evidence of overseas operations.
- An organisational chart showing the applicant’s position within the company hierarchy.
- Evidence of the UK expansion plan, including projected turnover, staffing, and marketing strategy.
- Bank statements or financial records demonstrating the company’s viability.
Section Summary
The eligibility criteria for the Sole Representative Visa were designed to ensure that only genuine, financially viable overseas businesses could use the route, and that the appointed representative was truly senior, trusted, and capable of establishing the UK branch. These requirements remain relevant for extension and ILR applications, with the Home Office expecting detailed evidence that both the individual and the business still meet the conditions of the route.
Section C: Application Process
While the Sole Representative Visa is no longer open to new applicants, the application process still applies for existing visa holders seeking an extension or settlement. The Home Office requires careful compliance with documentary and procedural requirements, and errors in the process can lead to refusal.
1. Where and how to apply
Extensions and ILR applications must be made online via the official Home Office application portal. The applicant must be physically in the UK when submitting an extension or settlement application. Once the form is completed and the fee paid, the applicant must book an appointment to attend a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to enrol biometric information (fingerprints and photograph).
Applicants must also upload all required supporting documents, either through the online portal or at their biometric appointment. The Home Office may request additional evidence during the decision process.
2. Application fees and processing times
As of 2025, the extension fee for a Sole Representative Visa is £719, with an additional fee for each dependant applying at the same time. Applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at £1,035 per person per year.
Standard processing times are generally up to 8 weeks for an extension application, though priority services may be available for faster decisions at an additional cost. For ILR, the standard processing time is up to 6 months, with a super-priority option available in some cases.
3. Extension applications
To qualify for an extension, the applicant must show that:
- They are still employed by the same overseas company that sponsored the initial application.
- The UK branch or subsidiary has been established and is actively trading in the same business as the parent company.
- They continue to work full-time for the overseas company and have not undertaken other forms of employment or self-employment.
- They still hold decision-making authority in the UK branch.
- The overseas parent company still has its headquarters and principal place of business outside the UK.
Evidence for extensions typically includes:
- Updated business accounts and tax filings for the UK branch or subsidiary.
- Proof of trading activity, such as contracts, invoices, and marketing materials.
- Bank statements showing business income and expenditure.
- Confirmation of continued employment and role from the overseas company.
Section Summary
For Sole Representative Visa holders, extension and ILR applications follow a structured process with strict documentation requirements. Applicants must demonstrate that the UK branch or subsidiary is operational and that they continue to meet the same criteria as when the visa was first granted. Timely preparation and accurate evidence are key to securing approval.
Section D: Visa Conditions and Path to Settlement
The Sole Representative Visa carried specific conditions that visa holders needed to comply with throughout their stay in the UK. Failure to adhere to these rules could affect both extension and settlement applications. Understanding these conditions is vital for existing holders, particularly those approaching the ILR stage.
1. Work and stay conditions
Holders of the Sole Representative Visa were permitted to:
- Work full-time for the overseas company they represented in the UK.
- Establish and run the UK branch or wholly owned subsidiary of that company.
They were prohibited from:
- Taking employment with any business other than the overseas company.
- Engaging in self-employment or running any other business in the UK.
- Accessing public funds.
The representative was expected to be fully dedicated to the UK operations of their overseas employer and to maintain their role in line with the original purpose of the visa.
2. Dependants
Sole Representative Visa holders could bring their spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and children under 18 to the UK as dependants. Dependants were granted the right to work or study without restriction, except for work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. Dependants’ visas were linked to the main applicant’s visa and had to be renewed in line with the main applicant’s extensions.
3. ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
A key benefit of the Sole Representative Visa was that it could lead to ILR after 5 years of continuous residence. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate:
- Continuous residence in the UK for the 5-year period, with absences not exceeding 180 days in any 12-month period.
- Ongoing full-time employment with the overseas company.
- Continued operation and trading of the UK branch or subsidiary.
- Compliance with all visa conditions during their stay.
- Satisfactory knowledge of the English language and passing the Life in the UK Test.
Once granted ILR, individuals are free from immigration time restrictions and may later apply for British citizenship if eligible.
Section Summary
The Sole Representative Visa imposed clear work restrictions, tied the applicant’s role to the overseas company, and required strict compliance to remain valid. For those seeking settlement, meeting the ILR requirements involves demonstrating long-term commitment to the UK business operation, adherence to immigration conditions, and minimal absences from the UK during the qualifying period.
FAQs
Can I still apply for the Sole Representative Visa in 2025?
No. The route closed to new applicants on 11 April 2022. However, if you already hold a Sole Representative Visa, you can still apply for an extension or settlement if you meet the requirements.
What is the difference between the Sole Representative Visa and the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
The Sole Representative Visa did not require sponsorship and could lead to settlement after 5 years, while the UK Expansion Worker Visa requires the overseas company to hold a UK sponsor licence, has a shorter maximum stay, and does not directly lead to settlement.
Can I switch from the Sole Representative Visa to another visa?
Yes, in most cases you can switch to another eligible visa from within the UK if you meet the requirements for that route. However, switching may affect your eligibility for ILR, as time spent under a different visa may not count towards the 5-year Sole Representative settlement period.
How long can I stay on the Sole Representative Visa?
The initial grant was usually for 3 years, with a possible 2-year extension. After 5 years of continuous residence, you could apply for ILR.
Can my family join me in the UK?
Yes. Eligible dependants—spouse, civil or unmarried partner, and children under 18—can join you in the UK. They can work or study without restriction (except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach) and must apply to extend their visa alongside yours.
Conclusion
The Sole Representative Visa was a unique immigration route that allowed overseas businesses to send a senior employee to the UK to establish their first branch or subsidiary. While the route closed to new applicants in April 2022 and was replaced by the UK Expansion Worker visa, it continues to hold significant value for those who already hold it.
Existing visa holders can still extend their stay and work towards Indefinite Leave to Remain, provided they continue to meet the original requirements of the route. This includes ongoing full-time employment with the overseas company, maintaining active trading operations in the UK, and adhering to the visa’s work restrictions.
For overseas companies already benefiting from the Sole Representative route, the focus should now be on compliance and evidence gathering to ensure smooth extension and settlement applications. For new businesses seeking to enter the UK market, alternative routes such as the UK Expansion Worker visa or other business immigration categories should be considered.
The rules for extension and settlement under the Sole Representative Visa remain detailed and require careful preparation. Seeking professional immigration advice can help ensure that applications are complete, accurate, and supported by the right evidence, reducing the risk of refusal.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Sole Representative Visa | A UK immigration route (now closed to new applicants) that allowed a senior employee of an overseas business to come to the UK to establish a branch or wholly owned subsidiary. |
| UK Expansion Worker Visa | The visa route that replaced the Sole Representative Visa in April 2022, requiring sponsorship by a UK-licensed employer and not leading directly to settlement. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Immigration status granting the right to live and work in the UK without time restrictions, often a step towards British citizenship. |
| Dependant | A family member (spouse, partner, or child under 18) who can join the main visa holder in the UK, subject to eligibility rules. |
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK – Sole Representative of an Overseas Business guidance | https://www.gov.uk/representative-overseas-business |
| GOV.UK – UK Expansion Worker visa guidance | https://www.gov.uk/uk-expansion-worker-visa |
| DavidsonMorris – Sole Representative Visa | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/sole-representative-visa/ |
| DavidsonMorris – UK Expansion Worker Visa | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/uk-expansion-worker-visa/ |
