Can I extend my current sole representative visa?

The Representative of an Overseas Business route, more commonly known as the Sole Representative visa, was closed to new applicants by the Home Office on 11 April 2022.

This means that any initial Sole Representative applications submitted on or after 9AM on 11 April 2022 are considered invalid and are no longer considered by the Home Office.

However, for those in the UK who already hold status as a Sole Representative, it remains possible to apply to renew this status, and/or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (“ILR”) once eligible.

Apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa instead

Individuals who might have applied for a Sole Representative visa are now encouraged by the Home Office to apply under the Global Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route. The requirements applicants have to meet for this new route are more restrictive (for example, requiring the setting up of a company in the UK and getting a sponsor licence for it), and it is also not a route which will lead to ILR.

Unlike with the Home Office’s closure of the Investor visa route, no deadlines for extension or ILR applications have yet been published by the Home Office in relation to the Sole Representative visa route.

How can we help?

Gherson’s Immigration Team are experienced in all of the above business visa applications. Please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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