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Representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations

Image showing an overseas newspaper representative in the United Kingdom.

How can I settle in the United Kingdom as a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation?

This section explains how you can apply to stay in the United Kingdom permanently as a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation. We call this 'applying for settlement' or 'applying for indefinite leave to remain'.

You should read this section if you wish to stay permanently in the United Kingdom and you have been here for at least five years as a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation.

If you are currently outside the United Kingdom, you should read the section on Eligibility. If you have been in the United Kingdom as a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation for less than five years, you should read the section on Extending your stay.

Requirements for settlement

To qualify for settlement in the United Kingdom as a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation, you must:

  • have been living legally in the United Kingdom for the last five years;
  • currently have permission to stay in the United Kingdom as a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation;
  • have been in the United Kingdom as a full-time representative of that overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation throughout the five years;
  • have maintained and accommodated yourself and any dependants without the use of public funds throughout the five years;
  • intend to continue working full-time as a representative of the same overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation; and
  • have sufficient knowledge of language and life in the United Kingdom.

Making an application

To settle in the United Kingdom as a representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation, you need to apply for indefinite leave to remain using application form SET(O). Before you apply, you should read the information in this section to make sure you meet the requirements for settlement.

You will need to pay a fee when you apply. This fee will not be refunded if your application is unsuccessful because you do not meet the requirements.

If you meet the requirements, it is important that you complete the application form correctly and provide all the supporting documents we need. You should send your completed form and the fee to our offices.

After you have applied

If your application for settlement is successful, you will be able to remain in the United Kingdom permanently. You will not need to apply to extend your stay any further, and there will be no time limit on your stay. You may want to consider applying for British citizenship.

Transferring your settlement to a new passport

If you have been issued with a new passport or travel document, you can apply for us to transfer your settlement stamp. You can travel with your new passport or travel document without having your leave transferred, as along as you carry your old passport or travel document containing the stamp or the letter in which your leave was granted.

If you want to transfer your settlement stamp to your new passport or travel document, you should apply using application form NTL. Full details of how you can apply are available in the UK residency section of this site.

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. If your existing visa or other permission to stay here allows you to work, you can continue to do so until your case is decided.

Application forms

Application for permanent residence in the United Kingdom in an employment or other category listed on the form

See also

Terms explained

  • Public funds

    Public funds are benefits, paid by the UK government, that are related to your income. Claiming public funds when you are not entitled to them is known as 'benefit fraud', and is a criminal offence. For a list of public funds, see the Public funds page.

All glossary terms

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