The documents required for the sole representative visa (representative of overseas businesses) are:
1. A full description of the company’s activities, including details of the company’s assets and accounts and the company share distribution for the previous year;
2. A letter which confirms the overseas company will establish a wholly-owned subsidiary or register a branch in the UK in the same business activity as the parent company;
3. A job description, salary details and contract of employment for the applicant;
4. A letter confirming the applicant is fully familiar with the company’s activities and has full powers to negotiate and take operational decisions without reference to the parent company;
5. A notarised statement which confirms:
(a) the applicant will be their sole representative in the UK;
(b) the company has no other active branch, subsidiary or representative in the UK;
(c) its operations will remain centred overseas;
(d) the applicant will not engage in business of their own nor represent any other company’s interest.
6. Evidence of competence in the English language at ‘A1 level’. This is ‘beginner’ level English;
7. Evidence of your ability to maintain yourself and your family in the UK (maintenance funds). There is no formal maintenance requirement, e.g. £945 for you and £630 for dependents, but the government guidance states “for example, bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months”. So it would be sensible to include these and have funds at least at this sort of level;
8. Your current passport (with at least 6 months remaining on it before it expires); and
9. Your parent company’s business plan for the UK. This should be your parent company’s business plan (since you are acting for them in a representative capacity rather than in your own right). This should be provided as part of the broader requirement to show that you have a genuine commercial enterprise.
Here are some example documents for the sole representative visa:
Example description of company’s activities for a sole representative:
An example description which you might provide for a sole representative visa (representative of overseas businesses) is:
Abut Group is one of the world’s leading telecom groups in emerging markets. Its high credit ratings reflect the company’s strong balance sheet and proven long-term performance. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Abut Group was established over twenty years ago in the UAE as the country’s fifth telecommunications service provider. An international blue-chip organisation, Abut provides innovative solutions and services to thousands subscribers in 5 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
Example letter from a parent company for the sole representative:
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
Dear Sir/Madam,
Sole representative visa application
I am writing in connection with Mr Aziz’s application referenced above as a representative of an overseas business.
I confirm that:
- he is fully familiar with the company’s activities and has full powers to negotiate and take operational decisions without reference to the parent company;
- the overseas company will establish a wholly-owned subsidiary or register a branch in the UK in the same business activity as the parent company.
I enclose a job description, salary details and contract of employment for Mr Aziz.
Yours faithfully …
Example notarised statement from the employer, for a sole representative (representative of an overseas business):
I [NAME] of 123 Sheikh Khalifa Bin Saeed, Abu Dhabi, solemnly and sincerely declare:
- I am a Director of Abut Group (“the Company”);
- Mr Aziz will be coming to the UK as the sole representative of the company;
- I can confirm that:
(a) he will be our sole representative in the UK;
(b) Abut Group has no other active branch, subsidiary or representative in the UK;
(c) our operations will remain centred overseas;
(d) he will not engage in business of his own nor represent any other company’s interest.
And I make this declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835
………………………………………………………
[NAME]Declared by the said [NAME] BEFORE me at London England on [date] [NOTARY’S NAME]
……………………………
Notary Public, England and Wales
These examples are for information purposes only and you should take legal advice before preparing your documents.