Requirements for Business Visit Visas
Business Visa Related Routes: Representing your Business in the UK with confidence
Business Visit Visas are designed for individuals or company representatives who intend to travel to the UK for the purpose of engaging in a permitted short-term unpaid activity. This route falls under the Standard Visitor route, which allows individuals to visit the UK for a temporary period of up to 6 months in accordance with your visa. It's important to state that this route does not lead to settlement in the UK, and each visitor must make a separate submission, even if they are traveling as part of a group.
Section headings:
1. Business Visa Preconditions
4. Intention to Leave the UK at the end of your business trip
5. Financial Obligations for UK Trips
6. English Language & Validity Period Criteria
8. Visa Fees
10. Get in Touch
Planning a Business visit to the UK? Here's what you need to know about business visas.
Before you pack your bags, it's important to understand the UK's visitor visa rules. Here's a breakdown of the key requirements:
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1. Visa or Visa on Arrival (VOA)?
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Visa Nationals: If you're a 'visa national', you'll need to apply for a visa before you travel.
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Non-Visa Nationals: You can usually get a visa when you arrive (VOA).
2. Purpose of Your Visit:
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Your visit must be for a genuine, short-term purpose like tourism, business, or seeing family.
3. Things You Can't Do:
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There are some activities you can't do a visitor, like working or studying full-time.
4. Money Matters:
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You need to show you have enough money to support yourself during your trip without working or relying on public funds.
5. Leaving the UK:
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You must intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit and not overstay your visa.
6. Not Making the UK Your Home:
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You shouldn't use frequent or long visits to live in the UK.
7. General Requirements:
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You need to meet some general requirements, like not having a criminal record or posing a security risk.
8. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA):
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From the end of 2025, you'll likely need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you travel, even if you're eligible for a VOA.
Need Help?
The rules can seem complicated, and they might be different depending on your situation. Our expert consultant can help you understand the requirements and make sure your application is successful. Get in touch today for a free initial assessment!
Do you need a visa to visit the UK?
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It depends on your nationality! Some people need to apply for a visa before they travel, while others can apply when they arrive (this is called a 'Visa on Arrival', or VOA).
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Who needs a visa in advance?
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The UK government has a (list of nationalities) that need to get a visa before they come to the UK. This includes people coming for business or tourism. There are some exceptions, so it's always best to check the latest rules.
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Who can get a visa on arrival?
If your nationality isn't on the list, you can usually apply for a visa when you arrive in the UK. But you still need to show that you meet the requirements, like:
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Reason for your visit: Why are you coming to the UK?
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Financial support: How will you pay for your trip?
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Accommodation: Where will you be staying?
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Return plans: When and how will you go back home?
What about EU citizens?
Things have changed for EU citizens since the UK left the European Union. EU nationals now need to apply for a UK Visa Waver.
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Need help figuring it all out?
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We can help! Our expert advisor can guide you through the process, whether you need a visa in advance or are applying for a VOA. We can help you understand the requirements and make sure you have everything you need for a smooth trip to the UK. Get in touch today for a free initial assessment!​​
Work Permitted Activities
Coming to the UK for work? Here's what you can do on Business Visit Visas.
If you're planning a work-related trip to the UK, it's important to know what activities are allowed on a Standard Visitor visa.
Here's a handy guide: Permitted Activities (for less than 6 months):
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Meetings and Events: Attending meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews, trade fairs, and exhibitions.
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Speaking Engagements: Give talks and speeches at non-commercial events (but not as a paid performer).
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Business Negotiations: Negotiate and sign deals and contracts.
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Trade Fairs: Attend trade fairs to promote your business (but not to sell goods directly).
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Site Visits: Conduct site visits and inspections.
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Information Gathering: Gather information for your overseas employment.
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Client Briefings: Receive briefings from UK-based customers (but any actual work must be done outside the UK).
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Research and Development: Conducting fact-finding missions, market research, and feasibility studies.
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Training and Development: Taking part in training sessions or professional development courses (as long as this isn't the main reason for your visit).
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Corporate Training: Participating in corporate training programs.
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Consulting: Providing advice and consulting on projects.
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After-Sales Service: Providing after-sales service for products bought from a company outside the UK.
Important Things to Remember:
Here's what you can do on a Standard Business Visa. The Standard Visitor visa allows you to engage in a variety of permitted activities.
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These activities must be related to your job outside the UK.
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You can't do anything that's not allowed on a Standard Visitor visa, such as:
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Taking a job in the UK.
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Working for a UK company.
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Selling goods or services directly to the public.​
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Credibility: The Home Office will assess the length of your planned stay based on the activities you intend to undertake. Make sure your plans are realistic and align with your visa application.
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Compliance: Always refer to the latest UKVI guidance or consult with an experienced lawyer or advisor to ensure your planned activities comply with the rules.
Need more information?
This list isn't exhaustive, and the rules can be tricky. Our expert consultant can help you understand what you can and can't do on a Business Visas.​ Get in touch for a free initial call!​ review the latest guidance provided by UKVI.
In order to obtain a Visa, it is important to demonstrate to the UKVI that you have the intention to leave the UK at the end of your visit and that you will not reside in the UK for extended periods or make it your main residence. This requirement ensures that the purpose of your visit remains temporary and aligns with the immigration rules. During the assessment of your application, the UKVI will consider various factors to determine your intention to leave, including:
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Previous immigration history: Your travel and previous history, including visits to the UK and other countries, will be considered.
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Financial circumstances: Your financial situation, along with your family, social, and economic background, will be evaluated.
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Ties to your country of residence: The UKVI will assess your personal and economic connections to your own country, such as family, employment, property ownership, and other significant ties.
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The UKVI may have concerns about the genuineness of your visit if you have limited or no family and economic ties to your country of residence while having several family members in the UK, if you have made previous attempts to deceive the Home Office in an application, or if there are inconsistencies or discrepancies in the statements provided by you or your sponsor. It is crucial to provide sufficient evidence and information to demonstrate your genuine intent to visit the UK for a temporary company purpose and to satisfy the UKVI regarding your intention to leave the country upon completion of your stay. Consulting with a lawyer or seeking expert advice from us can help ensure your application meets the necessary conditions.
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To discuss your application needs in more depth complete our contact form below.
To obtain a Visa, it is necessary to demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover all reasonable expenses related to your visit, including travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs. These funds should be sufficient to support yourself without the need to work or access public funds.
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It is important to note that your funds must be held in a permitted financial institution. This typically includes recognized banks or financial institutions that are regulated and authorized to hold and manage funds.
In some cases, another person or a third party may be willing to cover your travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs. If this is the situation, it is crucial that the third party has a genuine professional or personal relationship with you. Additionally, they must be able to provide support throughout your stay as a Visitor.
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Having the necessary financial means and providing evidence of sufficient funds are important factors in demonstrating your ability to support yourself during your visit to the UK. It is essential to ensure that you can cover all the costs associated with your stay without relying on public funds or engaging in unauthorized work.
There is no specific English language requirement that applicants need to satisfy. Unlike other categories such Skilled Workers, demonstrating English language proficiency is not mandatory under this route. Regarding the validity of the visa, applicants can choose different options depending on their needs. They can be obtained for a duration of 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years. The length depends on the individual's intended frequency and duration of visits to the UK. It's important to recognise that regardless of the chosen validity period, each visit under the Visa is limited to a maximum stay of 6 months per entry (180 days). After the permitted period of stay, individuals must leave the UK and cannot exceed the duration specified on their submission.
Applicants under this route are not allowed to work in the UK, unless in specific circumstances with limited exceptions. They cannot engage in employment, self-employment, or be employed with an organization or company based in the UK. Additionally, they are prohibited from establishing or running a company as a self-employed individual, undertaking work placements or internships, or providing goods or services for payment in the UK.
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While in the UK as a visitor, individuals are allowed to carry out activities related to their overseas employment remotely, such as responding to emails or attending to work-related phone calls. However, it's important to note that the primary purpose of the visit should be to engage in permitted activities, rather than working remotely from the UK.
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Foreign representatives are also permitted to visit the UK for the purpose of seeking employment and attending job interviews. However, if they are successful in securing employment, they are expected to leave the UK and obtain the appropriate entry clearance before starting work under a Skilled Workers.
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It's essential to adhere to the limitations and restrictions imposed on foreign representatives to ensure compliance with the immigration rules.
The current Home Office application fee for a Short Stay Visa of up to 6 months is £100. If you intend to apply for a Short Stay Visa with a validity of 2 years, the submission fee will be £376. For a validity of 5 years, the fee will be £670, and for 10 years, the fee will be £837. It's important to recognise that these fees are subject to change, so it's recommended to check the official UK government website or consult with an immigration advisor for the most up-to-date information on visa fees.
Our immigration adviser specializes in supporting individuals and businesses worldwide in obtaining Visas to the UK for permitted short-term activities. We offer a range of services to meet your needs, including:
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Assessment of eligibility: We can assess your individual circumstances and provide guidance on meeting the application requirements.
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Application assistance: Our immigration adviser can guide you through the visa process, ensuring that all necessary documents are prepared accurately and submitted within the required timeframe.
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Legal representation: If your application has been refused, our immigration adviser can provide expert legal representation to challenge or resubmit your visa successfully.
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Compliance guidance: We can help you understand and comply with the rules and regulations associated, ensuring you meet all requirements and maintain compliance throughout your stay.
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Personalized service: We pride ourselves on offering a personalized and client-focused approach. Our immigration adviser will work closely with you, providing clear and reliable advice tailored to your specific needs.
By choosing our services, you can benefit from our expertise and dedication to delivering professional and friendly immigration advice. To discuss your application requirements with our immigration adviser, please complete our enquiry form or contact us directly.
Request a free Application Assessment
MYG LTD - Immigration
79 Winchester Street
Salisbury
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