Visas and immigration

Citizens from outside the EU need to apply for visas if they want to visit or work in the UK.

Immigration rules are being tightened in the UK and generally throughout the EU. However, people with skills and talents that are in demand, or with other contributions to make to this country, such as  innovative business ideas, often find they are very welcome in the UK.

Businesses from outside the EU are able to appoint a company representative who can legally live and work in the UK. To qualify as a sole representative, a person must hold less then 50 per cent of the company stock (preferably less than 33 per cent) and be able to support themselves in the UK.

In addition, the company must prove that a UK firm isn’t already acting as a representative.

Go to www.ukvisas.gov.uk to find out about the process involved.