If you are considering a trip to London to explore business opportunities and potentially invest in a UK-based enterprise, one option to consider is the Business Visitor Visa, designed for individuals seeking to engage in business activities during their stay in the UK.
The Business Visitor Visa is a temporary immigration category that allows individuals to visit the UK for business-related activities. This visa is suitable for those who intend to explore investment opportunities, attend business meetings and engage in other specified activities without the intention of settling in the country.
The Business Visitor Visa allows you to participate in a range of business activities, such as:
- attend interviews, meetings, conferences and seminars;
- negotiate and sign deals and contracts;
- attend trade fairs to promote your business (you cannot sell things);
- get work-related training if you are employed overseas and the training is not available in your home country;
- give a one-off or short series of talks, as long as they are not for profit or a commercial event (you must not be paid);
- carry out site visits and inspections;
- oversee the delivery of goods and services provided by a UK company to your overseas company or organisation;
- deliver training or share knowledge on internal projects with UK employees of the company you work for overseas; and
- install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on equipment, computer software and hardware, if your overseas company has a contract with a UK company or organisation.
It is crucial to be aware of the limitations of the Business Visitor Visa. Holders of this visa are not permitted to:
- Engage in paid or unpaid employment.
- Extend their stay beyond the visa’s validity period.
- Access public funds.
This is not an exhaustive list. It is essential to meet the eligibility criteria and adhere to the visa conditions. Before embarking on your journey to explore business opportunities in London, carefully consider whether the Business Visitor Visa aligns with your intentions. Consultation with immigration professionals or legal experts is recommended for personalised advice.
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an , or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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