Section A: What is the Representative of an Overseas Business visa?
The Representative of an Overseas Business visa is a work route for employees of overseas newspapers, news agencies or broadcasting organisations who are being posted by their employer on a long-term assignment to the UK. It is the only part of the former route that remains open to new applicants. The Sole Representative entry route is closed to new entrants, although existing Sole Representatives can still extend and, subject to meeting the rules, settle.
If you are applying as a representative of an overseas business that has not yet started trading in the UK, and you are coming to the UK to set up its first branch or subsidiary, you should instead apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa. This is now the correct route for establishing a first UK presence.
With a Representative of an Overseas Business visa, sometimes referred to as the Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa, you can come to the UK to work in the media on a long-term assignment. Leave is tied to the overseas media employer that posts you to the UK.
Under this visa, you are not permitted to work for any other business or for yourself, and you are given no access to public funds. Study is allowed, subject to Academic Technology Approval Scheme requirements where relevant.
The visa is limited to use in media roles for employees of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation who are being posted on a long-term assignment to the UK. Employment continues to be with the overseas organisation.
| Category | Who can apply | Status of route | Extension / ILR availability | Dependants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Media Representative | Employees of overseas newspapers, news agencies or broadcasting organisations posted to the UK in a full-time, long-term role for the overseas employer | Open to new applicants | Initial grant up to 3 years, extendable by up to 2 years. Eligible for ILR after 5 continuous years if all requirements are met | Partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. No ownership/control restriction on the partner. Dependants can usually work and study, other than as a professional sportsperson |
| Sole Representative | Senior employees already in the route who were sent to establish the first UK branch or wholly owned subsidiary of an overseas business | Closed to new applicants. Legacy route for existing holders only | Existing holders can extend by up to 2 years and can qualify for ILR after 5 continuous years if the rules are met and the UK entity remains active in the same field | Partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants. Partner cannot own or control a majority of the overseas business. Dependants can usually work and study, other than as a professional sportsperson |
1. Permissible activities and visa conditions
Permission is granted to work full time in the UK as the UK representative of the overseas media employer that posts you. Taking any additional employment or self-employment is not permitted. Leave is granted with a no recourse to public funds condition. Study is allowed, subject to Appendix ATAS where applicable. Standard grants for media representatives are up to three years for entry clearance with a further extension of up to two years available, subject to meeting the rules.
2. Dependants
A partner and dependent children can apply to accompany or join you on this route if they meet the relationship and other applicable requirements, for example tuberculosis screening where Appendix Tuberculosis applies. Dependant leave usually expires on the same date as the main applicant’s leave.
Where the main applicant holds or last held permission as a Sole Representative, there is a specific restriction for dependant partners who own or control a majority of the overseas business being represented. That ownership and control restriction does not apply to partners of media representatives. Dependants can work in the UK, other than as a professional sportsperson, and can study.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
The name of this route often causes confusion. It’s not a general business visa and it’s not available to business representatives outside the media sector. It’s strictly limited to overseas media professionals being posted to the UK on assignment for an overseas-headquartered employer.
If you try to use this visa outside of the media industry, you’ll be refused outright. Look instead at alternative routes like UK Expansion Worker to set up new UK operations for your employer, or if you’ll be working in your own business, speak to us for advice on possible routes such as self-sponsorship.
Section B: Representative of an Overseas Business Visa Requirements
A person applying under the Representative of an Overseas Business route must either be a Media Representative applying for entry clearance or further permission, or a Sole Representative seeking an extension or settlement. New Sole Representative applications are closed, but existing Sole Representatives may continue to extend and, subject to eligibility, apply for indefinite leave to remain. The rules for the two categories differ and need to be understood separately.
A Media Representative is an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation who has been posted to the UK on a long-term assignment. They continue to work full time for the overseas organisation while based in the UK. A Sole Representative is a senior employee of an overseas business who was assigned to establish the company’s first branch or subsidiary in the UK. While this entry route is closed to new applicants, extensions and ILR remain available for individuals already holding leave in this capacity.
To qualify for entry clearance as a Media Representative, you must be employed by an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation and assigned to the UK in a long-term, full-time role. You cannot be self-employed or work for another employer in the UK. Sole Representative initial entry is no longer possible, but if you already hold this status, you can apply to extend provided you remain employed by the same overseas company and it maintains its headquarters and principal place of business outside the UK.
If you are already in the UK, you may be able to switch to the Representative of an Overseas Business visa as a Media Representative. For example, switching is permitted from certain categories including the Student visa, provided you have completed the course you were sponsored to study, or completed at least 24 months of a PhD programme. Switching is not permitted for new Sole Representatives, although individuals already on this route can extend or settle.
Applicants must also be aged 18 or over, meet the financial requirement to show adequate maintenance and accommodation without access to public funds, and demonstrate English language ability at the required level.
For clarity, the main eligibility rules can be broken down into four requirements:
- the work requirement
- the genuineness requirement
- the financial requirement
- the English language requirement
1. Work requirement
For Media Representatives, the overseas media organisation that you represent must be active and trading outside the UK, and its headquarters and principal place of business must remain overseas. You must have been recruited and employed outside the UK by this organisation. You must intend to work full time in the UK for the overseas business and not undertake work for another business or engage in your own business. For Sole Representatives extending their visa, the same employer and overseas presence requirements apply, together with evidence that the UK branch or subsidiary continues to operate in the same field of business.
2. Genuineness requirement
The Home Office must be satisfied that you are a genuine representative of the overseas business or media organisation. Caseworkers must not have reasonable grounds to believe that you have been appointed mainly so that you can secure UK immigration status. In practice, this means demonstrating through your application and supporting documents that the overseas business is established and operating overseas, that your role in the UK is substantive and necessary, and that you are an appropriate and qualified employee to hold the position.
3. English language requirement
Under the English language requirement, applicants for entry clearance or permission to stay must demonstrate English ability in speaking and listening to at least CEFR level A1. This can be shown by:
- holding an academic qualification taught in English and recognised by Ecctis as equivalent to a UK bachelor’s or postgraduate degree
- passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at the required level
Nationals of majority English-speaking countries such as the USA, Canada or Australia are not required to evidence English. For settlement applications after five years, the requirement increases to CEFR level B1 and the Life in the UK test also applies.
4. Financial requirement
You must be able to show that you can maintain and accommodate yourself, and any dependants, without access to public funds. There is no set minimum funds threshold but the Home Office will expect clear evidence, for example through bank statements, payslips or employer letters, that you have adequate financial resources for your time in the UK. Dependants must also be supported without recourse to public funds.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Because this visa is so narrow in scope, the Home Office applies the rules strictly and will be looking for detailed, consistent evidence of eligibility. The employment relationship and the UK assignment both need to be well-documented. Caseworkers will need to be satisfied that the applicant will fully observe the visa conditions, and any suspicion that they may stray into side work, freelancing or activities outside what is set out in the application can see the visa refused.
Section C: How to apply for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa
Applications for the Representative of an Overseas Business visa are made online through the Home Office portal. The process and supporting evidence required will depend on whether you are applying from overseas for entry clearance or from inside the UK to switch or extend. You will need to prove your identity, enrol biometrics and submit a portfolio of supporting documents. The application is assessed against the Immigration Rules and the guidance specific to this visa route.
When applying, you will be told whether you need to attend an appointment to provide your biometric information, which involves fingerprints and a digital photograph. Applicants outside the UK usually attend a visa application centre in their country of residence. If you are applying from inside the UK, appointments are made at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point. In many cases you can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to confirm identity without attending in person, although this depends on your nationality and passport type.
| Step | Action | Notes / Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complete online application | Apply via the Home Office website. Select the Representative of an Overseas Business visa route and complete all mandatory sections |
| 2 | Pay fees | Pay the application fee (£719 outside UK / £827 inside UK) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per adult per year, £776 per child per year) |
| 3 | Submit supporting documents | Provide employer confirmation, accounts, English language evidence, financial records and certified translations where relevant |
| 4 | Prove your identity | Either use the UK Immigration: ID Check app if eligible or book a biometric appointment at a visa application centre (outside UK) or UKVCAS (inside UK) |
| 5 | Attend biometric appointment (if required) | Fingerprints and digital photograph taken. Some applicants may not need to attend if identity is confirmed through the app |
| 6 | Application processing | Home Office assesses application. Standard times: 3 weeks outside UK, 8 weeks inside UK. Priority services may be available in some locations |
| 7 | Receive decision | If granted, your eVisa will confirm visa length and conditions. If refused, you will receive reasons and information on options to challenge or reapply |
1. Required Documents
To support your application, you should prepare a comprehensive bundle of documents. These typically include:
- a full description of your employer’s activities, with evidence such as accounts, corporate literature or reports
- a letter confirming your posting to the UK as a media representative on a full-time, long-term basis
- proof that you meet the English language requirement, for example a SELT certificate or degree taught in English recognised by Ecctis
- evidence that you can support yourself and any dependants, such as payslips or bank statements covering at least six months
- details of your planned UK accommodation, if applying from overseas
- tuberculosis test results if you are resident in a country where this is mandatory
All documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation. Depending on your circumstances, additional evidence may also be required, for example proof of family relationships where dependants are applying with you.
2. Visa Costs
The Home Office application fee depends on where you are applying from. As at September 2025 the fee is £719 if applying from outside the UK and £827 if applying from inside the UK. In addition, you are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of leave requested. For most adult applicants the rate is £1,035 per year, while for children under 18 the reduced rate of £776 per year applies. Payment is made at the time of application.
| Application Type | Application Fee | Immigration Health Surcharge (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant – outside UK | £719 | £1,035 (standard adult rate) |
| Main applicant – inside UK | £827 | £1,035 (standard adult rate) |
| Dependant partner – outside UK | £719 | £1,035 (standard adult rate) |
| Dependant partner – inside UK | £827 | £1,035 (standard adult rate) |
| Dependant child under 18 | £719 (outside UK) / £827 (inside UK) | £776 (reduced child rate) |
See our full guide to the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge for detailed information on rates and exemptions.
3. Application Processing
Standard processing times are usually around three weeks for applications made outside the UK and around eight weeks for applications made inside the UK. You are permitted to remain in the UK while awaiting a decision if you have applied before your current visa expired. In some locations you may be able to pay an additional fee for priority or super priority services to receive a faster decision, but availability depends on the visa application centre and local capacity.
Grants are issued as digital immigration status (eVisa) as you now prove status online.
See our detailed guide to UK visa application processing times for more information on expected timelines and priority services.
4. Common errors to avoid and application tips
Many refusals arise because the Home Office is not satisfied with the authenticity of the employer’s operations overseas or the genuineness of the UK assignment. Incomplete or poorly prepared employer documentation is a common weakness. Applicants should ensure the employer’s accounts and trading evidence are up to date and consistent across all documents. Another recurring issue is English language proof; caseworkers only accept specified SELTs or degrees formally recognised by Ecctis, and incorrect or outdated certificates lead to refusals.
Where dependants are applying, inconsistencies in relationship evidence such as marriage certificates, birth certificates and address documents can delay or derail an application. Ensure all civil status documents are translated and certified where relevant. Finally, financial documents need to show genuine ability to maintain and accommodate without public funds. Bank statements with unexplained deposits or last-minute transfers often trigger refusals. Present a clear, consistent and well evidenced application to minimise risk.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
Evidence is usually where applications succeed or fail. The Home Office is going to be forensic. Your documents need to be accurate and consistent because caseworkers will scrutinise every document, and will dig into corporate records and use third-party data sources to verify what you’ve provided.
Avoid using generic or template documents or vague language, these are all red flags. The evidence has to be specific to the case and the information consistent across all the documents.
Section D: Staying in the UK
Permission under the Representative of an Overseas Business route is initially granted for up to three years. Media representatives can apply for a single extension of up to two years provided the requirements continue to be met. Sole Representatives already in the route may also extend for up to two years, but no new Sole Representative entry clearance applications are accepted. After five continuous years in the UK on this route, both categories can apply for indefinite leave to remain, subject to meeting the settlement rules.
1. Extending a Representative of an Overseas Business Visa
An extension application must be made before your current visa expires. The requirements differ depending on whether you are a Media Representative or an existing Sole Representative.
As a Media Representative, you need to show that you remain employed full time by the same overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation that originally assigned you to the UK, and that the organisation continues to trade and maintain its headquarters and principal place of business outside the UK. You will be expected to provide evidence of your continuing overseas employment relationship and confirmation that the UK assignment remains valid and necessary.
As a Sole Representative already in the route, you need to show that you have established and registered the new branch or wholly owned subsidiary of the overseas business in the UK, that you remain in full-time employment with the same overseas employer and are responsible for supervising the UK branch or subsidiary, that you are required by your employer to continue in the UK role, and that you do not have a majority stake in or otherwise own or control the overseas business you represent. Documentary evidence must be provided, such as incorporation records, accounts, Companies House filings and employer confirmation letters.
Applicants extending under either category are liable for the Immigration Health Surcharge for the additional period of leave. Supporting documentation must be comprehensive and consistent across employer, corporate and personal records to avoid queries or refusal.
2. Representative of an Overseas Business Visa to ILR
The Representative of an Overseas Business visa is a settlement route. After five continuous years in the UK on this route, applicants can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). You must demonstrate that you still have an ongoing role with the same overseas employer, that the organisation continues to maintain its headquarters and principal place of business overseas, and that your UK role is still required. Media Representatives need to show ongoing overseas employment in the UK posting, while Sole Representatives must show that the UK branch or subsidiary remains active and trading in the same business sector as the parent company.
For ILR, you also need to meet an advanced English language requirement at CEFR level B1 in speaking and listening, as well as pass the Life in the UK test. If you previously relied on nationality or a qualification taught in English to meet the entry requirement, you may need to take a new approved test at the B1 level unless your prior evidence is accepted as sufficient. Dependants applying for ILR must also meet relevant continuous residence requirements.
Applicants must also meet the continuous residence requirement, including limits on absences (normally no more than 180 days in any 12-month period within the qualifying 5 years).
Once ILR is granted, you are free from time restrictions and immigration conditions, including the prohibition on access to public funds. After a further qualifying period, usually 12 months, ILR holders may be eligible to apply for British citizenship subject to meeting residence, good character and other nationality requirements.
DavidsonMorris Strategic Insight
If an extension is on the cards, be prepared to effectively go through the visa application process again. The same criteria have to be met and evidenced, with proof of continued and ongoing employment and overseas HQ. UKVI will check that the overseas employer is still trading and still needs the UK posting. A lot can happen during the visa period, and you’ll need to be certain that you inadvertently no longer qualify. For example, if the role has changed during this time, or even administrative changes like payroll shifting to the UK, can render an extension unlikely.
For ILR – prepare to meet all the settlement requirements, including the higher English language standard and rules on permitted absences which can catch people out without early planning.
Section E: Summary
The Representative of an Overseas Business visa is now a highly specific route that is only open to employees of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations who are being posted on long-term assignment to the UK. For this category of applicant, the route remains a valuable way to secure permission to live and work in the UK while continuing in full-time employment for the overseas organisation. New Sole Representative applications are closed, although individuals already in the route can still extend their stay and apply for settlement.
Applicants should prepare carefully to show they meet the requirements. Media representatives must be able to evidence an ongoing, substantive role for an overseas employer with its main place of business outside the UK. Sole Representatives extending their permission need to prove the UK branch or subsidiary has been properly established and remains active in the same field as the overseas parent. In either case, caseworkers will assess the genuineness of the role and the credibility of the overseas business with close scrutiny.
Successful applicants are initially granted up to three years, extendable by a further two years. After five continuous years, the route can lead to indefinite leave to remain, provided all conditions continue to be met. During their stay, visa holders cannot take other employment or engage in business of their own and have no access to public funds. Dependants can apply, subject to eligibility, and are permitted to work and study in the UK.
Given the narrow eligibility and the scrutiny applied by the Home Office, applications under this route demand a detailed and consistent evidential package. Employers and applicants are advised to take care in preparing documentation, as errors or omissions can lead to refusal, delays or problems at the extension and settlement stages.
Section F: Need Assistance?
As UK immigration specialists, DavidsonMorris provides expert guidance and advice on UK visa applications, including the Overseas Representative of a Business visa. If you have any specific queries about this route, such as the eligibility criteria or the supporting documents you’ll need to submit, contact us.
Section G: FAQs
What is the Representative of an Overseas Business visa?
The Representative of an Overseas Business visa is a UK work visa that now applies only to employees of overseas newspapers, news agencies or broadcasting organisations who are being posted on long-term assignment to the UK. The Sole Representative route is closed to new applicants, although individuals already on that route can extend or apply for settlement.
How long does it take to get a UK Representative of an Overseas Business visa?
Applications from outside the UK are typically decided within three weeks. Applications made from inside the UK generally take up to eight weeks. In some cases, priority or super priority services may be available for an additional fee depending on local capacity.
Can I bring my family to the UK with this visa?
Yes. Your spouse or partner and dependent children under the age of 18 can apply to join you as dependants. They will normally be granted permission in line with your visa. Partners of Sole Representatives must not own or control a majority of the overseas business, but this restriction does not apply to dependants of media representatives. Dependants can work and study in the UK, other than as a professional sportsperson.
How long can I stay in the UK on this visa?
The visa is usually granted for three years initially. You can then apply to extend it for a further two years, provided you continue to meet the requirements. After five years, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain.
What happens after five years?
After five continuous years in the UK on this visa, you can apply for indefinite leave to remain if you meet the relevant settlement requirements. These include showing an ongoing role with the same overseas employer, passing the Life in the UK test, and meeting an advanced English language requirement at B1 level. Once you hold ILR, you may later become eligible to apply for British citizenship.
Are there any restrictions on my activities in the UK?
You must only work for the overseas employer that assigned you to the UK and cannot take other employment or engage in self-employment. You are not permitted to access public funds. Study is allowed, subject to Academic Technology Approval Scheme rules where relevant.
Can I switch to this visa from another visa category within the UK?
Switching into this visa is possible for Media Representatives from certain categories, including from a Student visa if you have completed the sponsored course or completed at least 24 months of a PhD. Switching is not possible for new Sole Representatives, since that route is closed, but existing Sole Representatives can extend or settle.
Section H: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Representative of an Overseas Business Visa | A visa route open to overseas media employees on long-term UK assignments. The Sole Representative entry route is closed, but existing Sole Representatives can still extend and apply for settlement. |
| Media Representative | An employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation who is posted to the UK to work full time on a long-term assignment for that employer. |
| Sole Representative | A senior employee sent by an overseas business to establish its first UK branch or subsidiary. Entry is closed, but extensions and settlement remain possible for those already in this category. |
| Eligibility Criteria | The rules an applicant must meet to qualify, including employment by an overseas media organisation, financial sufficiency and English language ability. |
| Application Process | The steps to apply online, prove identity, enrol biometrics and submit supporting documentation to UKVI. |
| Biometric Information | Fingerprints and a digital photograph provided at a visa application centre or via the UK Immigration: ID Check app. |
| Dependants | Spouse, partner and children under 18 who can apply to join the main visa holder, subject to eligibility. They can usually work and study in the UK. |
| English Language Requirement | Applicants must meet CEFR A1 in speaking and listening for entry. For settlement, CEFR B1 plus the Life in the UK test is required. |
| Financial Requirement | The need to show adequate funds to maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants without recourse to public funds. There is no fixed amount but evidence such as payslips or bank statements is expected. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Permission to stay in the UK without time restrictions, usually available after five years in the UK under this route if all requirements are met. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | An annual payment made as part of the visa application to access the UK’s National Health Service. As at 2025 the standard rate is £1,035 per year, with £776 per year for children under 18. |
| Genuineness Requirement | The Home Office must be satisfied that the applicant is genuinely employed by and representing an overseas business or media organisation, and not applying mainly for immigration purposes. |
| Extension Application | An application to remain in the UK beyond the initial three years, requiring proof that the overseas employer relationship continues and the role remains valid. |
| Life in the UK Test | A computer-based test on British history, culture and society that must be passed for settlement applications. |
Section I: Additional Resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| UK Government Official Guidance | Home Office information on eligibility, application process, fees and required documents for the Representative of an Overseas Business visa. | https://www.gov.uk/representative-overseas-business |
| UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) | Contact information and support services for applicants inside and outside the UK. | https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Details of the healthcare surcharge payable with visa applications, current rates and exemptions. | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/immigration-health-surcharge/ |
| English Language Requirement | Guidance on the English language standards for UK visa applicants and approved ways to prove ability. | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/english-language-test/ |
| Visa Processing Times | Up-to-date information on UK visa decision waiting times, including priority and super priority services. | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/uk-visa-processing-times/ |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Comprehensive guidance on eligibility and application process for settlement after five years. | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/indefinite-leave-to-remain/ |
