Business Visitor Visa

If you are required to travel to the United Kingdom for business purposes, our team of immigration specialists can provide expert guidance and assistance throughout the business visitor visa application process.

Business Visitor Visa

Whether you reside in one of the Home Office’s ‘visa national’ countries list, or not, you will be need to meet all of the requirements for a Visit visa.

Around 115 countries are currently on this list, including Russia, China and India.  Non-visa nationals (i.e. citizens of those countries not included on the list) are not required to apply for a visa prior to travelling to the UK, however will still be assessed on entry to the UK.

Our team of experts can advise you on all you need to know to enter the UK for business purposes.

How can I come to the UK for a business trip on a business visitor visa?

If you are a ‘visa national’, you will be required to apply for a Visit Visa before you travel to the UK. Around 115 countries are on the Home Office’s ‘visa national’ list, including Russia, China and India.

‘Non-visa nationals’ (i.e. citizens of those countries not included on the ‘visa national’ list) are not required to apply for a visa prior to travelling to the UK as a visitor. However, non-visa nationals must still meet all of the requirements for a Visit Visa and will be assessed on entry to the UK.

What can I do in the UK?

If you are visiting the UK on business, you are allowed to:

  • Attend meetings, conferences, seminars and interviews;
  • Give a one-off or short series of talks and speeches provided these are not organised as commercial events and will not make a profit for the organiser;
  • Negotiate and sign deals and contracts;
  • Attend trade fairs (for promotional work only without any direct selling);
  • Carry out site visits and inspections;
  • Gather information for your employment overseas; and
  • Be briefed on the requirements of a UK based customer.

What can’t I do in the UK?

If you are in the UK as a business visitor, some of the activities that you are not allowed to do include:

  • Taking employment in the UK;
  • Working for an organisation or business in the UK;
  • Establishing or running a business as a self-employed person;
  • Providing goods and services; and
  • Undertaking a work placement or internship.

For more information about us and our personal immigration services, please contact a member of the team who can answer any questions and guide you through the process.

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I am the creator and manager of a number of Technology businesses, all of which are profitable and which have won or been nominated for awards. I would like to apply for a Global Talent Visa. Do you have any experience with this visa route?

We regularly assist clients with applications under the Global Talent…

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We regularly assist clients with applications under the Global Talent visa category. It is worth noting that unlike a number of other visa categories, this immigration route very much depends on the applicant’s individual achievements and therefore requires a bespoke approach in every case.

Please also note that the application process is made up of two stages and that you must obtain an endorsement from a UK Designated Competent Body (such as Tech Nation for those specialising in the Digital Technology field) prior to making your visa application.

In light of the narrow eligibility requirements of this scheme, it may also be worth looking at other immigration routes that may be available to you.

I plan to relocate to the UK to facilitate setting up a UK branch of my company. What would be the best visa option for me?

A Sole Representative visa (also known as a Representative of…

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A Sole Representative visa (also known as a Representative of an Overseas Business visa) may be the most suitable option for you to immigrate, reside and work in the UK. The requirements that need to be met to obtain this type of visa include:

  • Being recruited and employed outside the UK by an active and trading business, whose headquarters and principal place of business are, and will remain, outside the UK;
  • Holding a senior position within the business, but not owning or controlling the majority of the business, and having full authority to make decisions on behalf of the parent company in the UK;
  • Intending to establish the overseas business’s first commercial presence in the UK, either as a registered branch or a wholly owned subsidiary;
  • Being able to maintain and accommodate yourself and your dependants in the UK without recourse to public funds;
  • Being able to demonstrate knowledge of the English language to the required standard.

Sole Representative visas are normally granted for a period of three years with the possibility to extend for another two years. This visa route leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (provided you satisfy the requirements at each stage). 

Can I work in the UK as a visitor?

No. A visitor is not permitted to do paid or…

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No. A visitor is not permitted to do paid or unpaid work in the UK. However, you may be permitted to undertake restricted business-related activities. Specific entitlements exist for experts in specialist/niche sectors, artists and entertainers.

If your work falls outside the strict requirements above, you must consider a different visa route if you wish to undertake work in the UK.

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