The sole representative visa has been abolished for new applicants from 11 April 2022. A new representative from an overseas company needs to apply for a visa to the UK as a global expansion worker. However, if you have already entered the UK as a sole representative of an overseas business, you are allowed to live and work in the UK.
Most successful applicants are granted three years of leave upon their initial application, which may then be extended by a further two years upon request. After which, the individual will have spent sufficient time in the United Kingdom (five years) to be eligible for indefinite leave to remain, assuming all requirements have been satisfied.
Can I keep my passport during the decision period?
You can keep your passport and use your passport to prove your identity when necessary.
Under the new immigration application system which was introduced in November 2018, if you apply for further leave to remain or settle inside the UK, you will keep your passport throughout the application process.
The Home Office generally return the proof of identity or any other application for permission to stay to the applicant whilst their application is being considered unless the Secretary of State considers it necessary to retain it. The Home Office will generally only consider it necessary to retain an applicant’s passport where they are an overstayer or in the UK as a visitor.
The UK visa application regularly takes many weeks or months to be decided, and with your passport in hand, you may consider leaving the UK before a decision has been made on your immigration application.
Even though applicants are able to keep their passports, you should never leave the UK or travel overseas before you have received your decision.
Why I should not travel abroad while I am waiting for a decision?
If you travel outside the Common Travel Area (including the Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) before a decision is made on your application for leave to remain or settlement, the Home Office will treat your application as withdrawn.
On the date the applicant left the CTA, the pending application for further leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain will automatically be treated as withdrawn.
Because your pending visa application will be treated as withdrawn, you have no right to enter the UK to receive a decision on your application unless you have made another visa application before returning to the UK.
Are there any applications where I am allowed to travel while awaiting my decision?
If you are applying for UK Citizenship, you are allowed to travel abroad and re-enter the UK whilst a decision is being made. This is because citizenship applications are subject to different legislation.
Decision on citizenship typically takes 6 months, so applicants will be relieved to know that they are able to travel abroad in that time with no repercussions on their citizenship application.
Citizenship is the only in-country application process where travel is allowed. If you are applying for any other visa from within the UK, please do not travel until a decision has been made.
If you have a plan to travel abroad or have left the UK and had your application withdrawn, please contact us or leave a message.