UK Company Representative Visa
This route lets a senior employee relocate to the UK to set up and run a new branch or wholly-owned subsidiary of an overseas parent company. The rule that trips up more applicants than any other: if you own a majority stake in that company, you are not eligible — full stop.
Who this route is genuinely for today
This route — historically called the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa — closed to brand-new first-time applicants on 11 April 2022; only a narrower 'Media Representative' category (for representatives of overseas news organisations) remains open to fresh applications. Where this route still matters for most people today is extension and settlement: if you already hold permission under it, you can generally still extend your stay and, after enough continuous residence, apply for indefinite leave to remain — under the same eligibility rules, including the one below. If you're weighing whether this route can work for you as a first-time applicant, tell us your situation honestly up front and we'll tell you just as honestly whether it's realistic or whether another route fits better.
The majority-equity rule, explained
The single most common way applicants get this route wrong: you cannot hold a majority stake in, or otherwise own or control, the overseas company you'd be representing — whether that control comes through direct shareholding, a partnership agreement, or any other arrangement. This isn't a soft guideline; it's a hard disqualifier built into the rules specifically to stop people using this visa to relocate their own business to the UK rather than genuinely representing someone else's. The Home Office also looks past the paperwork: shifting your majority stake to a spouse or family member shortly before applying doesn't get around the rule, because a family member who effectively controls the company is barred from applying as your dependant too. If majority ownership sits with you personally, directly or through a close relative, this route is not available — however strong the business case for the UK branch itself might be.
Establishing a genuine UK operation
Beyond the equity question, the Home Office wants to see this is a real expansion, not a shell: the overseas parent company needs to be an active, trading business with its principal place of business abroad continuing to operate after the UK branch opens, and the applicant needs genuine, senior decision-making authority — not a junior role dressed up for the application. We review the parent company's own trading evidence alongside the applicant's role before advising whether the case is strong.
Bringing family
A partner and dependent children can usually apply alongside the main applicant or join later, subject to the same relationship and financial evidence any dependant application requires — and subject, as above, to a dependant not being the one who actually holds the disqualifying majority stake.
How we help
We start with an honest read on whether your situation fits this route at all — as a new applicant, only the narrow Media Representative category is realistically open; as an existing holder, extension and settlement remain available. Where the case is sound, we prepare the equity and business evidence, submit the application, and stay engaged if a decision needs correcting and resubmitting.
- Cost range
- From £2,500, reflecting the additional evidence required on company ownership, structure, and the UK role itself (excludes Home Office fees).
- Processing timeline
- Extension and settlement (ILR) applications made from inside the UK are typically decided within 8 weeks under the standard service.
- If refused or appealing
- A refusal under this route does not usually carry a right of appeal. An administrative review may be available where a clear caseworking error was made; otherwise, the practical next step is a corrected reapplication with clearer evidence of your equity position and your genuine, ongoing role at the parent company.