The UK Business Visit Visa, part of the Standard Visitor visa category, is designed for individuals planning short-term business activities in the UK. This guide outlines the visa's requirements, application process, and permitted activities.
Nationals from certain countries must apply for a Business Visit visa before traveling to the UK. The introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, costing £10.00 and valid for two years, has added a digital permission layer for nationals of specific countries, including Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, among others.
Applicants must intend to leave the UK at the end of their visit and not live in the UK through frequent visits. They must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs without accessing public funds and not undertake any prohibited activities. Demonstrating strong ties to their home country and a clear immigration history can support the application.
The application for a Business Visit Visa requires the correct form and a fee of £115 for a 6-month standard visitor visa. Applications can be submitted up to three months before travel. The process involves submitting your passport or travel document and usually takes around three weeks from the date of your biometric appointment.
The visa allows for a range of business-related activities, including attending meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews, negotiating and signing deals and contracts, attending trade fairs for promotional work, carrying out site visits and inspections, and gathering information for employment overseas. Specific intra-corporate activities, such as sharing knowledge or providing training on a specific internal project with UK employees of the same corporate group, are also permitted.
For those aged 18 or over coming to the UK to undertake a paid engagement relevant to their expertise and main occupation in their home country, the Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa may be a suitable option. This visa requires a written invitation from a UK-based organization and the engagement to be pre-arranged and directly linked to the applicant's full-time profession overseas.
Navigating the UK Business Visit Visa application process can be complex. For expert advice and assistance, contacting an immigration barrister is recommended. They can provide guidance on ensuring your application meets all requirements and advise on carrying out permitted activities without breaching visa conditions.
Prepared on the information from immigrationbarrister.co.uk