Dependants Of Sole Representative
The dependant partner and children of a Sole Representative migrant can apply for a dependant visa to join or remain with the Sole Representative in the UK. At Sunrise Solicitors our dependant visa solicitors provide expert immigration advice and legal representations to dependants of sole representative. Our highly experienced team of dependant visa solicitors have wealth of knowledge and experience to deal with dependant visa applications.
Ask a question to our expert team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice or schedule an appointment for detailed immigration advice concerning your application as a dependant of Sole Representative.
Services For Dependants Of Sole Representative Migrant
As specialist immigration solicitors for dependant visa UK, we can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed fee legal services for following applications for dependants of Sole Representative of overseas business:
Who Can Apply as a Sole Representative Dependant?
Family members of a Sole Representative may be eligible to apply for a UK visa as dependants under the Representative of an Overseas Business route. To qualify, the applicant must meet the requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child under the Representative of an Overseas Business route and the relevant Immigration Rules.
Eligible Dependants
The following family members may be eligible to apply as dependants, provided they meet the relevant requirements under the Immigration Rules:
Partner
This includes a spouse, civil partner, or an unmarried or same-sex partner in a genuine and subsisting relationship with the main applicant. However, a significant restriction applies in cases where the partner has control or ownership of the business that the Sole Representative is representing. If the partner owns or controls a majority of the overseas business, they are not eligible to apply as a dependant under this visa route.
Children Under 18
Children under the age of 18 may apply as dependants. This includes children who are born in the UK during the parent’s stay. Supporting evidence such as a full UK birth certificate will be required if the child is born in the UK.
Children Aged 18 or Over
A child aged 18 or over can only qualify as a dependant if they already hold valid immigration permission in the UK as a dependant of the Sole Representative. New applications for adult children who have not previously held dependant status will not be accepted under this category.
Children Born While You Are in the UK
If you have a child while living in the UK, you can apply online to add them to your visa as a dependant. This application is necessary if you intend to travel in and out of the UK with your child. As part of the application, you will be required to submit a full UK birth certificate for each child. The certificate must show the names of both parents.
Apply from Outside the UK
Family members of a Sole Representative must submit their dependant visa applications online when applying from outside the UK. As part of the application process, applicants will normally need to attend a visa application centre to provide their biometric information. This generally includes fingerprints and a photograph, although children under 5 are not required to provide fingerprints.
Applicants may be able to pay an additional fee for a faster decision, depending on eligibility and service availability. The priority service costs an additional £500 and usually provides a decision within 5 working days.
Where available, the super priority service costs an additional £1,000 and usually provides a decision by the end of the next working day after a weekday biometric appointment. If the appointment takes place at the weekend or on a bank holiday, a decision is usually made within 2 working days.
UKVI may take longer to make a decision if further information, supporting evidence, verification, or additional checks are required.
Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch)
If a Sole Representative applies to extend their permission, their partner or child’s existing visa will remain valid until its original expiry date. However, each dependant must make a separate application to extend their permission or, where eligible, switch to the Sole Representative dependant route. They can apply at the same time as the Sole Representative or at any time before their existing permission expires.
This can also apply to a child who has turned 18 during their stay in the UK, provided they continue to meet the relevant requirements for a dependent child, including the applicable age and independent-life requirements.
A partner or child cannot switch to this dependant route from within the UK if they have or last had permission as:
- a Visitor
- a Short-term Student
- a Parent of a Child Student
- a Seasonal Worker
- a Domestic Worker in a Private Household
- a person with permission outside the Immigration Rules.
If a partner or child currently has, or last had, permission as a Student, they can only switch to this dependant route if they have either:
- completed the course of study for which their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned, subject to the relevant Immigration Rules; or
- completed at least 24 months of a full-time course leading to a PhD with a higher education provider that has a track record of compliance.
Visa Fees and Processing Time for Dependants of a Sole Representative
The application fee and processing time for a dependant of a Sole Representative depend on whether the application is made from outside or inside the UK.
Application Fees
Dependants of a Sole Representative pay the same application fee as the main applicant under the Representative of an Overseas Business route:
- £819 per dependant if applying from outside the UK
- £943 per dependant if applying from inside the UK to extend or switch, where permitted
Dependants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), where applicable. The current IHS rate is:
- £1,035 per year for applicants aged 18 or over
- £776 per year for applicants under 18
The total Immigration Health Surcharge payable depends on the length of immigration permission granted.
Processing Time
Applications from outside the UK
A decision is normally expected within 3 weeks once UKVI starts processing the application. Applicants may be able to pay for a faster decision where an eligible priority or super priority service is available.
Applications from inside the UK
A decision is normally expected within 8 weeks.
An application may take longer if UKVI needs to:
- verify supporting documents
- request further evidence or information
- ask the applicant to attend an interview
- consider further information relating to the applicant’s personal circumstances
Processing may also take longer because of increased visa demand or unexpected technical issues affecting UKVI systems.
What Dependants Can and Cannot Do
Dependants of a Sole Representative who are granted permission to enter or remain in the UK have specific rights and restrictions under the Representative of an Overseas Business route. These conditions apply to qualifying dependent partners and dependent children.
What Dependants Can Do
Dependants are permitted to:
- Live in the UK for the period of immigration permission granted to them.
- Work in the UK, including employment, self-employment and voluntary work, subject to applicable UK law. However, they cannot work as a professional sportsperson, including as a sports coach.
- Study in the UK, subject to the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirements where applicable.
- Travel outside the UK and return while their immigration permission remains valid, subject to the usual UK immigration controls.
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) where they meet the settlement requirements applicable to dependants under the Representative of an Overseas Business route. Under the current rules and Home Office caseworker guidance, qualifying dependants of a person who has obtained settlement through, is being granted settlement under, or has subsequently become British following Representative of an Overseas Business permission are not required to complete a separate five-year qualifying period before applying for settlement.
What Dependants Cannot Do
Dependants are not permitted to:
- Access public funds while they hold dependant permission under this route.
- Apply for the UK State Pension while subject to the restrictions stated for dependants under this route.
- Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
- Switch to this dependant route from within the UK if they have or last had permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or permission outside the Immigration Rules.
- Switch from Student permission unless they meet the applicable Student switching requirements. They must normally have completed the course for which their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned, subject to the relevant exception, or be studying a full-time course leading to a PhD with a higher education provider that has a track record of compliance and have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.
Additional Considerations
A dependant partner will normally be granted permission ending on the same date as the Sole Representative’s permission. If the Sole Representative has been or is being granted settlement under the Representative of an Overseas Business route, the dependant partner may instead be granted 2 years’ permission.
A dependent child’s permission will normally end on the same date as whichever parent’s immigration permission expires first. If both parents have or are being granted settlement or British citizenship, the child may instead be granted permission for 30 months.
ILR as a Dependant of a Sole Representative
A qualifying dependant partner or child may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) when the Sole Representative is applying for settlement, or where the Sole Representative has already obtained settlement or subsequently become a British citizen following permission under the Representative of an Overseas Business route. The dependant will normally need to have previously been granted permission as the Sole Representative’s dependent partner or child, although specific provisions apply to qualifying children born in the UK.
Under the current Representative of an Overseas Business settlement provisions, qualifying dependants do not need to complete a separate five-year qualifying period before applying for ILR. They must, however, meet all other applicable validity, suitability and eligibility requirements.
A dependant partner must meet the applicable relationship requirements. A dependent child must meet the relevant relationship, care, age and independent-life requirements. Applicants must also satisfy the applicable English language and Knowledge of Life in the UK requirements where these apply.
If ILR is granted, the dependant can live in the UK without a time limit, subject to the rules governing settlement status.
How can Sunrise Solicitors help?
At Sunrise Solicitors, we are committed to providing expert legal assistance to dependants of Sole Representatives of overseas businesses. Our London-based team of immigration solicitors has extensive experience in handling every stage of the visa journey from initial entry to settlement ensuring that each application is prepared to the highest professional standards.
We offer specialist legal support for:
- Entry Clearance for Sole Representative Dependant Visa
Assistance with first-time applications made from outside the UK, ensuring all required documents and relationship evidence are correctly submitted.
- Switching into Sole Representative Dependant Visa
Support for in-country applications where dependants are eligible to switch from another visa category to a dependant visa.
Expert help with extending the visa before it expires, maintaining continuity of stay for partners and children.
- ILR as a Sole Representative Dependant
Legal advice and representation for qualifying dependants applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Under the current Representative of an Overseas Business rules, qualifying dependants are not required to complete a separate five-year qualifying period. They must instead meet the applicable validity, suitability, relationship and other settlement requirements.
Strategic legal advice and representation to challenge refusals through administrative review, addressing caseworker errors or unfair decisions.
Whether you are applying from abroad, switching your visa inside the UK, or preparing for settlement, our team is here to make the process clear, smooth, and successful. Get in touch with Sunrise Solicitors today to receive personalised legal support you can trust.
