You can apply for UK visa entry clearance if you are a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation and you are being posted by your overseas employer on a long-term assignment in the UK. You cannot switch to an overseas media representative visa from inside the UK and the initial application can only be made through an entry clearance from outside the UK.



Unlike the sole representative of an overseas business visa, an overseas media company can have more than one representative in the UK at the same time.

 

Eligibility Requirement

In order to qualify for a UK visa as an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• Be recruited and employed by an overseas media agency or organisation

• Intend to work full-time for the organisation

• Not intend to take any other employment

• Be based mainly in the UK and working on a UK long-term assignment

• By an overseas media agency or organisation

• Provide evidence you can maintain and accommodate yourself and any dependants adequately without recourse to public funds

• Satisfy an English language requirement

Applicants in this category will usually be journalists, it also states that applicants could be producers, news cameramen or camerawomen and front-of-camera personnel. However, secretaries and other administrative support staff will not qualify and must apply under an alternative immigration route if one is available.

 

Conditions of Stay

As an employee of an overseas media company, you will not be permitted to take on any other jobs in the UK, and you must only work full-time at the media organisation you represent.

You may bring, or be joined by, a spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner and any children under the age of 18. However, parents, brothers and sisters or other extended family members cannot be brought together.

 

When to apply for a visa

You can apply for a visa three months before the date of your plan to enter the UK.

Most Overseas Media visa applications are decided within 3 weeks.  If you choose a priority service, you may receive a decision for entry clearance within 5 working days.

 

Conditions of Extension and Settlement

Your initial visa will be valid for 3 years, after which time you will be able to extend your stay for a further two years. In order to extend your stay, you will need to show that you are still engaged in the employment for which you were granted entry to the UK and are still required for the future. In addition, you must show proof of at least 12 months' income.

After five years in the UK, you can apply for settlement if the following conditions are met:

• You have been an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation undertaking a long term assignment as a representative of their overseas employer for 5 years

• You have been engaged in the employment for which your last period of the permission was granted;

• You are still required for the employment in question, as certified by your employer;

• You have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the English Language and Life in the UK



• You are not in the UK in breach of immigration laws

 

Immigration rules contain strict requirements regarding documents that must be provided to support representatives of overseas newspaper visa applications. It may be helpful to receive advice to ensure that your application is professionally presented and technically correct.

 

Please call 020 3865 6219, or leave a message if you need any advice and help.