Choosing a sole representative of overseas business visa candidate
Choosing a sole representative of your overseas business is important. The applicant must have the relevant skills, experience and status to represent your business in the UK on your behalf.
Work for the company and decision-making power
The sole representative candidate must have been recruited outside the United Kingdom and must join the parent company abroad. The candidate is likely to be someone who has been employed by the parent company for some time and to hold a senior position there, although lengthy previous employment is not a prerequisite, as detailed below.
The candidate must be able to make decisions on behalf of the company.
The candidate must intend to work full-time for the UK branch/subsidiary of your company, and exclusively as the representative of your business.
Experience in the field
If the sole representative is not a pre-existing employee and has been employed simply to represent you in the UK, or has been employed for a short time only, then the candidate must be able to demonstrate a good track record in the same or in a closely related field, in order to show that the reasons for appointment are genuine.
Employment overseas
Sole representatives must, in the first instance, be employed by the overseas firm direct (although they may later be employed by the United Kingdom subsidiary).
Agents who are hired to market the company’s product in the UK are normally self-employed and provide their services for a fee. Such people cannot therefore qualify as sole representatives. Nor can sales representatives or others such as buyers who fulfil a single function only. However, senior sales staff who have other responsibilities such as marketing and distribution are not debarred from qualifying as sole representatives.
Contact our Sole Representative Visa Lawyers
For expert advice in relation to the requirements of a sole representative of an overseas business visa or professional assistance with preparing a sole representative of an overseas business visa application, contact our immigration barristers in London on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.
