Sole Representative visa closing in April 2022

The Home Office has confirmed that effective from 9AM on 11 April 2022, the Sole Representative visa route will be closed to new applicants.

This means that any initial Sole Representative applications submitted on or after 9AM on 11 April 2022 will be invalid and will not be considered by the Home Office.

It will however, still be possible for extension and ILR applications to be made after 11 April 2022 and presently, there are no material changes being proposed to the criteria to qualify for extension/ILR as a Sole Representative.

Individuals who might have applied for a Sole Representative visa might instead qualify under the Global Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route, which will open from 9AM on 11 April 2022. The requirements of the new UK Expansion Worker route are however, more restrictive (for example, requiring a certificate of sponsorship) and moreover, it is not a route which will lead to ILR.

We will be publishing a blog on the new UK Expansion Worker route in due course.

How can Gherson help?

We have extensive experience in applications under the Representative of an Overseas Business route. If you have any queries relating to the blogs published or are interested in talking to us about your specific circumstances, 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 do not 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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