Representative of an Overseas Business visa

Skip contents

Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your stay in the UK under a Representative of an Overseas Business visa. You must apply before your current visa expires.

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

Eligibility

You must already have this visa as either:

  • a representative of an overseas business
  • an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation

You must also meet the following conditions:

  • you’re still working for the same employer as when you were issued your previous visa
  • your employer’s principal place of business is still outside the UK

If you’re a sole representative, you must also still be supervising the UK branch or subsidiary you established for the overseas business.

You must be in the UK to extend your visa.

Documents you’ll need to apply to extend your visa

There are different documents you’ll need to provide depending on your role.

Sole representatives

When applying to extend as a sole representative of an overseas business you’ll need to provide:

  • a full description of the UK business’s activities, including accounts, copies of invoices or letters from UK organisations you’ve worked with
  • a Companies House certificate of registration as a UK establishment (for a branch), or a certificate of incorporation (for a subsidiary)
  • evidence that the UK business is wholly owned by the overseas business
  • a letter from your employer confirming you’re continuing work in the same role
  • your salary details

Newspaper, news agency or broadcast employees

When applying to extend as an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation you’ll need to provide:

  • a letter from your employer confirming you’re continuing work in the same role
  • your salary details

How long you can stay

A Representative of an Overseas Business visa can be extended for up to 2 years after the original visa duration of 3 years.

Your visa can be extended for 3 years if your previous Representative of an Overseas Business visa was issued before 1 October 2009.

You can apply to settle once you have been in the UK for 5 years and you have an ongoing job with the same company.

Fees

For each person applying, you’ll need to pay the visa extension fee:

  • £827 if you’re applying from inside the UK
  • £719 if you’re applying from outside the UK

You’ll also need to pay the healthcare surcharge - check how much you’ll have to pay.

You’ll need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken - there’s no fee for this.

Apply to extend your Representative of an Overseas Business visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

When you apply, you’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken.

You’ll also need to submit your supporting documents. You can:

  • upload them into the online service
  • have them scanned at your UKVCAS appointment

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Get help to apply online

You can get help with completing the online form if you:

  • do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
  • do not have internet access

You can only use this service if you’re applying to extend your visa in the UK.

You cannot get immigration advice through this service.

How long it takes

A decision will be made within 8 weeks.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and 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 expired.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content