Representative of an Overseas Business Visa or more commonly known as the Sole Representative Visa is a way for non-EEA national companies to set up a commercial presence of their business in the UK by sending over a senior representative (Sole representative) to the UK. Sole Representatives sent over by companies are responsible for setting up a branch or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the business in the UK. A Sole Representative can be someone who falls under the following criteria:
- An employee of an overseas business operating outside the UK
- A senior member of the company who is not the owner and/or major shareholder of the company.
- Has the necessary skills and authority to take business decisions on the company’s behalf.
- Replacing a previous sole representative.
- An employee of a newspaper, news agency or broadcasting company outside the UK.