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Representatives of overseas business

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Applying to extend your stay

This page explains how you can apply for permission to extend your stay in the UK as a representative of an overseas business.

You can apply if you are currently in the UK as the representative of an overseas business, or in the former immigration categories of:

  • sole representative of an overseas business
  • representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation

You must use application form FLR(BUS). You can download the form and detailed guidance from the right side of this page. Please read the guidance and the information in this section before you apply, to ensure that you meet the requirements.

You must enrol your biometric information (fingerprints and facial image) and obtain a biometric residence permit as part of your application. For more information, see the Biometric information page.

You must be in the UK to apply, and you should apply no earlier than 4 weeks before your permission to stay in the UK ends.

You can apply by post or by courier, to the address shown on the application form.

More information

  • Using a solicitor or other agent

    This page explains whether you can use a solicitor or other agent when making an application as a representative of an overseas business.

    If you want to use an agent, you should ensure that they are registered with the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), or are exempt from the requirement to be registered (see below). Anyone who gives advice or acts on your behalf but is not registered or exempt could be committing a criminal offence.

    You can get lists of registered and exempted immigration advisers from OISC, whose contact details are on the right side of this page.

    The Law Society, which regulates solicitors in England and Wales, may also be able to help you find a solicitor. You can call the Law Society on 0870 606 6575.

    Once we have made our decision on your application, we will send it to your representative, provided they are registered or permitted to give immigration advice.

    If you and your representative are outside the UK, your representative does not need to register with the OISC. However, if you are in the UK but your representative is not, we will not be able to send your passport or other travel documents to your representative, and you will need to provide us with an address in the UK.

    Exemptions from OISC registration

    Some immigration advisers are exempt from OISC registration. To be exempt, an adviser must be a member of a designated professional body, work under the supervision of a designated professional body or be exempt by ministerial order.

    If an immigration adviser is a member of or works under the supervision of one of the designated professional bodies below, they are exempt from registration with the OISC:

    • the Law Society;
    • the Law Society in Scotland;
    • the Law Society in Northern Ireland;
    • the Institute of Legal Executives;
    • the Faculty of Advocates;
    • the General Council of the Bar; and
    • the General Council of the Bar of Northern Ireland.

    If an immigration adviser is a member of or works under the supervision of one of the organisations below, they are exempt from registration with the OISC by ministerial order:

    • state education institutions and their student unions;
    • health sector bodies; and
    • employers giving immigration advice to their employees or prospective employees only.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is my immigration status while my application is being decided? If you make an application before your authorised stay ends, your existing immigration status will continue until your application is decided, even if the decision is not made until after the end of your permitted stay. You can continue to work until your case is decided if the conditions of your existing leave allows you to do so.

Application forms

Application for an extension of stay as a retired person of independent means or a sole representative, and for a biometric immigration document.

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