This type of immigration category can only be applied from a British diplomatic post overseas and a person on a different immigration category cannot switch into this category while remaining within the UK.

Such representatives of an overseas media organization can be correspondents employed by overseas media, producers, news cameramen and front of camera personnel. These representatives are in fact direct employees of the overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations assigned to the UK on a long-term, full time and salaried basis.

2. Who can qualify to apply for a "Representative of Overseas Media Organizations"?

It is only open to the person who can produce documentary evidence to prove that

• He has been employed by the overseas company for some time and has a good experience in his profession.
• He is directly employed by the overseas company and not acting as an agent of the company working on commission.
• He intends to do work full time as a representative of that organisation.
• He does not intend to take employment except as representative of an overseas media organization.
• He can maintain and accommodate himself and any dependants without the help from public funds or seeking any other employment.

3. What Documents to Submit?

The entry clearance application for this type of immigration category needs to be submitted along with employer's documents and the applicant's documents.

Employer's Documents

• Financial Documents (Annual Accounts, Bank Statements, Tax Documents)
• Documentary evidence of the assets owned by the parent company
• Certificate of Incorporation (In case of a Ltd. Company)
• Any published material / brochures / company information
• Print outs of the website (If available)
• Evidence of the age of the company
• Letter from the company stating its intention to send a representative to the UK
• Letter from the company confirming that the applicant is being appointed as the sole representative of the company, detailing his duration of the employment, salary package and job description
• Employment contract with the company

This is not an exhaustive list and the British Diplomatic post may need to ask for further information / documentary evidence. However, in addition to the above documents the applicant needs to provide the following:

• Original Passport of the main applicant and those of dependants, if any
• Two Pictures of the main applicant and the dependants, if any
• Fees for the application
• Proof of the relation of the dependants with the main applicant
• Proof of work experience and / or academic qualifications
• Original bank Statements for the last 3 months
• Any memberships of professional bodies

4. Duration of Visa

The maximum period for which an entry clearance for a Representative of an overseas Media Organization could be sought is 2 years. However, the applicant can always apply for an extension of leave to remain in this category provided the overseas company extends the employment contract.

5. Work Allowed

Sole representatives can only work which is directly or otherwise related to their job with the overseas company.

6. What is not allowed?

Representatives of the overseas media organizations are not allowed to take any sort of employment paid or unpaid while remaining in the UK. They are only allowed to work for their employers and none else.

7. Change of employment

A representative of the overseas media organizations can only be a direct employee of the overseas company and therefore cannot change employments while remaining within the UK.

8. Extension of Leave to remain

The sole representative needs to provide documentary evidences to prove that

• The overseas company still exists and has is willing to extend his / her employment contract.
• The applicant has complied with all the rules and regulations during his initial stay in this capacity.
• The applicant is still engaged in the employment.
• The applicant is still required by the overseas employment to work in the same capacity.

The maximum duration for which an extension can be sought is three years thus making a total of four years.

9. Spouse / Children

Sole Representatives can invite their spouse / children to join them as their dependants during the time of their employment provided they could support their families without recourse to public funds.

10. Switching Rules

Since 01^st of October 2004, there have been some major changes in the switching rules. Sole representatives can only switch their immigration status to the following immigration categories without leaving the UK provided they qualify for the specific category:

• Spouse Visa (Provided the applicant has been issued a visa for more than 6 months initially and he has got more than 3 months of his current leave to remain).
• Religious Minister (provided they have lived in this capacity for 12 months and fulfil all the requirements to apply as a Religious Minister.

11. Settlement Prospects

Representatives of overseas media organizations who have remained in the UK for 5 years can apply for an indefinite leave to remain in the UK provided they have continuously met all the requirements of this immigration category during the 5 years of employment with the overseas media organization.