Many questions might be wandering in your mind regarding what ROOB is or how you can apply for it? To answer them all, we compiled a list of the top 20 frequently asked questions about the ROOB Visa.
- Am I eligible to be a representative of an overseas business?
You are eligible to be a representative of an overseas business if you comply with all of the following points:
- You need to be a senior employee of the overseas business who has been recruited outside the UK.
- You should genuinely possess the right skills, knowledge, and experience of the overseas business.
- On behalf of the UK business, you will need to have full authority to make key operational decisions.
- You must intend to work full-time as the representative of the overseas business in the UK.
- You must not be a majority shareholder or control a majority stake in the business.
- How long do I need to be employed by the company?
You are not required to have specific years of experience in the company; however, if you have only been employed in the company for a short period, you need to hold a good track record in the same or a closely related field. This helps showcase that the reasons for your appointment are genuine and the business or your role is not created with the main focus on facilitating your entry into the UK. - Do I need to earn a minimum level of salary?
As a sole representative of the business, you are not required to earn a certain salary; however, your remuneration package as a senior employee of a company should be appropriate. - As a sole representative, can I be a shareholder of the parent company?
Yes, a sole representative can be a shareholder of the parent company, but you must not own more than 50% of the shares in the overseas business at the point of application. If you are the majority shareholder of the parent company, you can still apply by reducing your shareholding below 50% before applying. However, you will need to provide a share register of the previous year and show proof of selling your shares, along with an updated share register. - Is my employer eligible to establish a UK branch or subsidiary?
The parent company should be genuine and must have its headquarter and operations placed outside the UK. The business should have an intention to set up a branch or its auxiliary in the UK and should not have a business representative or any of its active units or auxiliaries in the UK. If your employer meets the above criteria, they are eligible to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. - Our business has already established a UK branch, can I still apply?
You can apply for a representative visa even after your business has already established a UK branch, providing that it exists as a legal entity, has set up a bank account, has identified and set up business premises in the UK. However, the UK branch must not have employed any staff or transacted any business. - What sort of business activities can the UK entity undertake?
The UK branch or its subsidiary should operate the same type of business as the overseas parent company. It means that the UK branches and subsidiaries should supply the same product or service as the parent company. If the parent company is a manufacturing company, they can establish a UK branch for sales or services of their products.
Interested in Applying for the UK ROOB Visa?
- As a sole representative, can I be a shareholder of the UK branch or subsidiary? If you plan to extend your stay as a sole representative, the parent company must hold all shares issued by the UK entity.
- Can the sole representative visa be used to relocate our parent company to the UK? No, you cannot set up a UK branch or subsidiary and move your entire business operation to the UK.
- Can I be employed by the UK branch or subsidiary in the UK? At the date of your initial visa application, you should be employed by the overseas parent company. Later, you can get hired by the UK branch or subsidiary. If you change your mind and do not wish to continue with the role of the sole representative, you will need to change into the Skilled Worker route.
- Will I be able to work for another company in the UK? As a sole representative, you will need to stay employed by the same company. You cannot partake in any part-time, full-time, or consulting work opportunity in any other company or business in the UK.
- When should I apply for a sole representative visa? You should apply for a sole representative visa no longer than three months prior to your intent to travel.
- Can I apply for a sole representative visa from within the UK? You cannot apply for a sole representative visa within the UK; however, you can apply for an extension of stay or settlement from within the UK.
- How much will my sole representative of an overseas business visa cost? Currently, the Home Office application fee for a Representative of an Overseas Business visa is £610. In addition to this, you will need to pay for the Immigration Health Surcharge that is £624 per person and year.
- How long will it take for my sole representative visa application to be decided? Most of the sole representative visa applications are decided within three weeks. There are many visa application centres outside the UK offering a priority service. The priority service allows a sole representative of overseas business visa applicants to receive a decision of their application within five working days.
Interested in Applying for the UK ROOB Visa?
- How long will my sole representative visa be valid? You will be allowed to enter and remain in the UK with a sole representative visa for up to three years. After three years, you will need to submit an application if you wish to extend your stay. This extension will be valid for two more years. Once you have crossed five years of stay in the UK as a sole representative, you are eligible for a settlement.
- Can my sole representative visa lead to British citizenship? Yes, you can qualify for British citizenship if you meet all of the eligibility criteria and once you have an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) for 12 months. If you are married to a British citizen, you are qualified immediately after being granted ILR.
- Can a sole representative bring family members to the UK? Yes, you can qualify for British citizenship if you meet all of the eligibility criteria and once you have an ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) for 12 months. If you are married to a British citizen, you are qualified immediately after being granted ILR.
- What documents do I need to provide in support of my application? When it comes to the immigration rules of the UK, they are very strict and ask for proper documentation and their format. The immigration experts at Nysa Global can help you with all the documents required to comply with the immigration rules and make your immigration process run smoothly.
- Where can I find more information about the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa? Nysa Global is the hub of answers to all your immigration and visa related queries. To know more about the ROOB or the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa in the UK, visit this page.
