Requirements for an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa
To qualify for a UK visa as an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation, you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:
- An overseas media agency or organisation employs you;
- You were recruited outside of the UK;
- You are being posted to the UK on a long-term assignment;
- You intend to work full-time for your employer and will not take other work;
- You satisfy an English language requirement;
- Your employer’s principal place of business is outside of the UK;
- You can maintain and accommodate yourself without recourse to public funds.
Is the Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa only available to journalists?
While Home Office Guidance states that applicants in this category will usually be journalists, it also states that applicants could be producers, news cameramen or camerawomen and front-of-camera personnel. However, secretaries and other administrative support staff will not qualify and must apply under an alternative immigration route if one is available.
How many representatives can an overseas media company post to the UK?
In contrast to the Sole Representative visa route, an overseas media company can have more than one representative in the UK. Therefore, the Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa can post multiple media company representatives to the UK simultaneously.
What documents will I need to provide to support an application for a Representative of an Overseas Newspaper visa?
With the exception of the English language requirement, there are no specified evidence requirements for an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation visa. You will need to prove that you meet all the requirements above, but the rules do not specify any mandatory requirements regarding the evidence you submit. Our immigration barristers can advise as to the documents that should be provided to satisfy the Home Office that the requirements of the visa route are met.
Conditions of Stay as an Employee of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation
As an employee of an overseas media agency, you will not be permitted to take on any other employment and must work full-time for the organisation that you are representing in the UK.
Can a Representative of an Overseas News Business bring family members to the UK?
Yes. A Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation may bring, or be joined by, their spouse, civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner and any children under 18. Unfortunately, as with most other categories of the Immigration Rules, Media Representatives cannot bring their parents, siblings or other extended family members.
When should I apply for a Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa?
You should apply for a Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa no more than 3 months before you intend to travel.
How much does a Representative of an Overseas Newspaper visa cost?
The Home Office application fee for a Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa is currently £610.
How long will it take for my Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa application to be decided?
Most Overseas Media visa applications are decided within 3 weeks. Many visa application centres outside the UK also offer a priority service which allows Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa applicants to receive a decision on their applications for entry clearance within 5 working days.
How can I extend my Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation visa?
Your initial visa will be valid for 3 years, after which time you will be able to extend your stay for a further two years. In order to extend your stay you will need to show that you are still engaged in the employment for which you were granted entry to the UK and are still required for the future. Your employer must certify this in a letter.
Additionally, you must show your income for the 12 months before you apply to extend. This could be done through providing payslips or bank statements. You or your employer will need to confirm how your salary was paid, for example, whether it was for number of hours or commission-based.
How can I settle in the UK as a Representative of an Overseas Newspaper, News Agency or Broadcasting Organisation?
After five years in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for settlement provided:
- You have spent a continuous period of 5 years lawfully in the UK as an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation;
- You have, throughout, been an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation undertaking a longterm assignment as a representative of their overseas employer
- You have, throughout, been engaged in the employment for which your last period of permission was granted;
- You are still required for the employment in question, as certified by your employer;
- You have demonstrated sufficient knowledge of the English Language and Life in the UK;
- You do not fall under the general grounds for refusal;
- You are not in the UK in breach of immigration laws.
