Visa as Sole Representative of an overseas company

[Lasheen]

Guys,
I'm planning to apply for a UK visa as a sole representative of an overseas company, the company is located in Egypt since 4 years and is trading in office and school supplies, the company in Egypt has administration office and two retail shops and planning to send me to establish the first branch in the UK, I have spoken to a lawyer to arrange the application, he stated that establishing a similar company in UK with Administration office and retail shops is not the right scheme to expand that business to the UK market using the sole representative visa, also he stated that the Egyptian company should have clients in the UK before starting the process of establishing a branch in UK and send their sole representative. please advise.

[noajthan]

Lawyer is misinformed or you have misunderstood her.
British lawyer?

Anyway start with SR guidance on Gov UK.

[Lasheen]

Lawyer is misinformed or you have misunderstood her.
British lawyer?

Anyway start with SR guidance on Gov UK.

Thanks Noajthan, I actually explored the issue my self before speaking to the Egyptian Lawyer located in London, but he confused me when he stated that opening retail shops as a part of the company business is considered as a commercial activity not commercial representation as planned by that visa type, also he confused me when he stated that the company has to have already-located clients in the UK.
I'd appreciate if you recommend a lawyer or a firm that I can consult to avoid future errors in my Visa.

[noajthan]

No recommendations of law firms here (for obvious reasons).

Start with guidance.
Maybe easier to come on flying visit, do some market research, work on business plan.

Note: UK is quite well served in office supplies arena.

Good luck.

[Lasheen]

So finally I can conclude that:

1. I can apply to be a sole representative to establish the first company branch of the overseas company
2. The company is trading in office and school supplies and stationery.
3. The company branch in UK can trade in the same business as the mother company
4. the company branch in the UK can open retail stores in UK
5. The company branch in the UK can start without having clients already located in the UK

Thank you for your advice.

[Lasheen]

So finally I can conclude that:

1. I can apply to be a sole representative to establish the first company branch of the overseas company
2. The company is trading in office and school supplies and stationery.
3. The company branch in UK can trade in the same business as the mother company
4. the company branch in the UK can open retail stores in UK
5. The company branch in the UK can start without having clients already located in the UK

Thank you for your advice.

Guys, could you please confirm the above conclusions

[Lasheen]

Guys,

Sorry for being annoying, could some one just confirm the above statements in the post above. Thank you in advance.

[Casa]

It's Christmas Eve and traditionally many members will be having a lay in, wrapping presents, making a late supermarket dash.....

I'm sure someone will respond as soon as they have a moment...

PS: A Pro Tip Best not to post an urgent question in the middle of the night in the Western world (1.49 am). It tends to get lost.

[Obie]

I think Egypt may be 2-3 hours ahead of UK if my calculaton and Geography is correct.

There are questions like your level of experience and your position in the company, whether you are a major shareholder or not and whether or not you have the ability to make important decisions for the company.

These are all criteria which you ought to focus on.

It is correct to say that your solicitor was very wrong.

[Casa]

I think Egypt may be 2-3 hours ahead of UK if my calculaton and Geography is correct. Yes indeed currently 2 hours ahead, but a post at 4.49 am isn't likely to be seen by many in the UK.

There are questions like your level of experience and your position in the company, whether you are a major shareholder or not and whether or not you have the ability to make important decisions for the company.

These are all criteria which you ought to focus on.

It is correct to say that your solicitor was very wrong.

[Lasheen]

Thanks Guys for the support, I apologise for sending late quires.

I am experienced in the company field of trading as I'm the general manager of the business in Egypt.
I have 10% sharing in the mother company in Egypt.
I have the full authority to take dicisions in the UK branch

On the other hand, could you please direct me to the visa type and sub type to apply in www.visa4uk.com as a sole representative of an overseas company, I searched a lot but couln't find it.

[Casa]

A simple Google search for uk sole representative visa application found the following:

https://www.gov.uk/representative-overs ... s/overview

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... es-v13.pdf

[Lasheen]

A simple Google search for uk sole representative visa application found the following:

https://www.gov.uk/representative-overs ... s/overview

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... es-v13.pdf

Thanks Casa,

the links have been already checked, however, I am asking about which fields should I choose from these ones
https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/Applicat ... BehalfOf=O
Reqason For Visit
Visa Type
Visa Sub Type

[CR001]

We don't all have log in details to see what you are seeing. Simply list what options it gives you for each question so that someone can possibly help you.

[Lasheen]

Thanks CR001 and all of the forum, I found it finally under the following:

Reason for Visit: Work
Visa Type: Non Points-Based Working Visas
Visa Sub-Type: Representative of an Overseas Business

[Shah_19]

Thanks CR001 and all of the forum, I found it finally under the following:

Reason for Visit: Work
Visa Type: Non Points-Based Working Visas
Visa Sub-Type: Representative of an Overseas Business

Hey Lasheen,

I am on the same visa, did you apply for overseas visa ?

Regards,