Overseas nationals may apply for immigration permission to enter the UK as an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation in order to undertake a long-term assignment in the UK.

The Sole Representative option has been replaced by the UK Expansion Worker route; individuals currently holding permission as a Sole Representative can apply to extend their permission on this route.

Key features

• Work: representatives of overseas businesses are permitted to work in the UK for their overseas employer for an initial period of three years, with an option of extending their leave in two-year increments thereafter.
• Dependants: spouses or partner and/or children may join or remain in the UK as dependants of main applicants. Subject to some restrictions, dependants may work and study in the UK.
• Settlement: After five years’ continuous residence in the UK in this route, applicants and their dependants may apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

It is important that employees of overseas media organisations be able to work in the UK for longer than just short-term assignments. Our team has substantial experience and broad knowledge of the complex rules regarding representatives of an overseas business and we are well placed to assist clients from the planning phase through to the onboarding the employee in the UK.

Fixed fees
We work on a fixed fee basis. Our fees for individual representative of an overseas business applications typically range between £8,500 – £12,500 plus VAT and disbursements depending upon the issues, urgencies and complexities involved.

Disbursements
You can expect the main disbursements to include:

• Home Office filing fees (click here for the government’s visa/entry clearance fee calculator and here for a list of all Home Office fees);
• Immigration Health Surcharge fees, if applicable;
• Optional premium service fees for in-country and out-of-country applications; and
• other ancillary disbursements such as UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) fees, biometric enrolment, translations, courier and postage charges, etc.

Dependants
For dependant application fees, please refer to our Dependants section. Dependants typically incur the same disbursements as main applicants.