Switching to a Sole Representative Dependant Visa - Specialist Dependant Visa Solicitors

You can apply to switch into a sole representative dependant visa from inside the UK if you are already in the UK and meet the relevant requirements for switching into a sole representative dependant visa as set out in Appendix Representative of an Overseas Business. An application to switch to a sole representative dependant visa is made online via the Home Office UKVI website. If the applicant is applying as a dependent partner, they must be aged 18 or over on the date of application. An application to switch to a sole representative dependant visa is made in accordance with the requirements set out in Appendix Representative of an Overseas Business of the Immigration Rules. 

Free Immigration Advice for Dependants of a Sole Representative of an Overseas Business

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide 5-minute, free, one-off immigration advice on your application as a dependant of a representative of an overseas business. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors concerning your application as a dependant of a representative of an overseas business.

Which Family Members Can Qualify for a Dependant Visa?

The following family members of the sole representative of an overseas business can qualify for switching into a dependent visa:

• husband, wife or civil partner of the sole representative of an overseas business; or
• unmarried or same-sex partner of the sole representative of an overseas business; or
• a child aged under 18 years old of a sole representative of an overseas business.

Your dependent children can be over 18 years old if they entered the UK on a dependent visa whilst they were under 18, but have since turned over 18.

Requirements for Switching to a Sole Representative Dependant Visa

As a dependant of a sole representative of an overseas business, you should satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for switching into a sole representative dependant visa:

Valid application: The applicant must submit a valid application to switch to a sole representative dependant visa.

Switching requirement: The applicant must meet the immigration status requirements to be eligible to switch to a sole representative dependant visa.

Relationship requirement: The applicant must meet the relationship requirement as per appendix representative of an overseas business of the Immigration Rules;

Age requirement for partner: If the applicant is applying as a dependent partner, they must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

Age and care requirements for a child: If the applicant is applying as a dependent child, they must be under 18 on the date of application, unless they were last granted permission as a dependent child of their parent or parents. If the applicant is a child aged under 18 on the date of application, there must be suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK that comply with relevant UK legislation and regulations.

Suitability requirement: The applicant must not fall for refusal under the Appendix Part Suitability of the Immigration Rules. 

Financial requirement: The applicant must have adequate funds for maintenance and accommodation to be accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds. 

Not be in breach of immigration laws: The applicant must not be:

• • in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
  • on immigration bail.

Immigration Status Requirement for Switching Application?

An applicant who is applying for permission to stay must be in the UK on the date of application and must NOT have, or have last been granted, permission:

• as a Visitor; or
• as a Short-term student; or
• as a Parent of a Child Student; or
• as a Seasonal Worker; or
• as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
• outside the Immigration Rules.

Relationship Requirement for the Dependent Partner of the Sole Representative

The applicant must be the partner of the sponsoring sole representative where one of the following applies:

• The sponsoring sole representative must have a sole representative visa; or
• The sponsoring sole representative is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) further leave to remain on the sole representative visa route; or
• The sponsoring sole representative is settled or has become a British citizen, providing the sponsoring sole representative had permission on the sole representative route when they settled, and the applicant had permission as the sponsoring sole representative’s partner at that time.

If the applicant and their sole representative partner are not married or in a civil partnership, all of the following requirements must also be met:

• they must have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least the two years before the date of application; and
• any previous relationship of the applicant or their sole representative partner with another person must have permanently broken down; and
• the applicant and their sole representative partner must not be so closely related that they would not be allowed to marry or form a civil partnership in the UK.

The relationship between the applicant and their sole representative partner must be genuine and subsisting, and the applicant and their sole representative partner must intend to live together throughout the applicant’s stay in the UK.

Relationship Requirement for a Dependent Child of a Sole Representative

The applicant must be the child of the sponsoring sole representative visa holder, where one of the following applies:

• The sponsoring sole representative has permission on the sole representative visa route; or
• The sponsoring sole representative is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) further leave to remain on the sole representative visa route.

The child’s parents must each be either applying at the same time as the applicant or already have permission to be in the UK (other than as a Visitor) unless:

• the parent applying for or with entry clearance or permission to stay as a sole representative is the sole surviving parent; or
• the parent applying for or with entry clearance or permission to stay as a sole representative has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing; or
• the parent who does not have permission as a sole representative –
  • is a British citizen or a person who has a right to enter or stay in the UK without restriction; and
  • is or will be ordinarily resident in the UK; or
• the decision maker is satisfied that there are serious and compelling reasons to grant the child entry clearance or permission to stay with the parent who is applying for or has entry clearance or permission as a sole representative.

If the applicant is a child born in the UK to a sole representative or their partner, the applicant must provide a full UK birth certificate showing the names of both parents.

Age and Care Requirement for a Child

The child must be under 18 on the date of application, unless they were last granted permission as a dependent child of their parent or parents. If the child is aged 16 or over at the date of application, they must not be leading an independent life.

If the applicant is aged under 18 on the date of application, there must be suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK that comply with relevant UK legislation and regulations.

Financial Requirement 

The decision maker must be satisfied that the applicant or the Representative of an Overseas Business can and will adequately maintain and accommodate the applicant and any other dependants in the UK, or applying for entry clearance, without access to public funds. Funds must be shown as specified in Appendix Finance.

Period and Conditions of Grant

A partner will be granted:

• permission which ends on the same date as the permission as the Representative of an Overseas Business; or
• 2 years’ permission if the Representative of an Overseas Business was (or is being) granted settlement as a Representative of an Overseas Business.

A dependent child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first, unless both parents have (or are being granted) settlement or British Citizenship, in which case the child will be granted permission for 30 months.

The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:

• no access to public funds; and
• work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted; except for employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
• study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.

How Can We Help?

Our specialist team of family visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation for your application to switch to a dependant visa on a fixed-fee basis. Our family visa solicitors can legally represent you in your application for switching into a dependant visa and carry out all the work on your application until a decision is made by the Home Office UKVI on your dependant visa application. The immigration casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your application for switching into dependant visa will entail the following:

Advice on requirements: Our family visa solicitors will advise you on the requirements you need to meet for your application to switch to a dependant visa to be successful.

Documentary advice: Our family visa lawyers will prepare and email you a comprehensive list of supporting documents to be submitted in support of your application for switching into dependant visa;

Assessing documents: Our immigration lawyers will review your documents to ensure that all documents you provide in support of your application to switch to a dependent visa comply with the immigration rules.

Completing the application form: Our immigration lawyers will complete the relevant application form to switch to a dependant visa.

Booking an appointment with the application centre: After the online submission of your application for switching into a dependant visa, our immigration lawyers will book your appointment with the application centre for you to enrol your biometrics.

Detailed cover letter: Our specialist immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your application to switch to a dependant visa, explaining all the relevant legal requirements for your application to be approved by the Home Office UKVI.

Uploading documents online: Before the biometrics enrolment date, our immigration lawyers will upload all supporting documents online to support your application for switching to a dependant visa.

Follow-up work: Our immigration lawyers will handle all follow-up until the Home Office UKVI issues a decision on your application to switch to a dependant visa.

Specialist Immigration Solicitors for Sole Representative Dependants

Our immigration solicitors are specialists in UK visa applications for Sole Representative dependants. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients obtain UK visas as Sole Representative dependants. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your UK visa as a Sole Representative dependant. 

The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.

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At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the dependent visa process with professionalism and care. 

Our team comprises a diverse group of immigration solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.

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