Overview

You can apply as a representative of an overseas business if you’re an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK.

If you’re a representative of an overseas business planning to set up its first UK branch, apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) instead.

You must also meet the other eligibility requirements.

If you’re already in the UK as a sole representative, you can still apply to extend your stay.

How long it will take

If you apply from outside the UK, the earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

Example

You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June.

You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

If you apply from inside the UK

You will get a decision within 8 weeks.

UKVI will contact you if your application will take longer, for example:

  • if your supporting documents need to be verified
  • if you need to attend an interview
  • because of your personal circumstances (for example, if you have a criminal conviction)

Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expires.

Fees

If you apply from outside the UK, a Representative of an Overseas Business visa costs £719.

If you apply from inside the UK, the visa costs £827. You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.

Healthcare surcharge

You must pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you need to pay before you apply.

How long you can stay

The visa lets you stay in the UK for an initial period of 3 years.

You may be able to extend your visa for another 2 years.

After you’ve been in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

You cannot: