Unlock your business opportunities in the United Kingdom. The UK’s Standard Visitor route for business is the essential tool for professionals looking to engage with the UK market, negotiate contracts, attend key industry events, and collaborate with British counterparts. You can visit for up to six months to conduct a wide range of crucial business activities.
Navigating the specific rules to ensure your visit is productive and compliant can be complex. Our team of expert immigration advisors is here to manage your visa application, providing a seamless and professional service so you can focus on your business objectives.
Permitted Business Activities on a UK Visitor Visa
The Standard Visitor visa allows you to perform a wide range of business activities essential for global commerce. We can help you secure the right permission to:
- Engage with Key Stakeholders: Attend high-stakes interviews, crucial business meetings, industry-leading conferences, and seminars.
- Secure Business Deals: Negotiate and sign pivotal deals and contracts with UK partners.
- Promote Your Brand: Attend trade fairs to showcase your business and build your network (direct sales are not permitted).
- Conduct On-Site Operations: Carry out site visits and inspections to oversee projects and quality control.
- Manage Client Contracts: Oversee the delivery of goods and services provided by a UK company to your overseas organisation.
- Undertake Specialist Training: Receive work-related training that is not available in your home country.
- Facilitate Intra-Company Projects: Deliver training and share knowledge with UK-based employees of your international company.
- Provide Technical Expertise: Install, dismantle, repair, or service equipment, software, or hardware, where your overseas company holds a contract with a UK client.
Staying Compliant: What You Cannot Do
It is critical to understand the limitations of a visitor visa to avoid jeopardising your immigration history. As a visitor, you cannot:
- Work for a UK company (either paid or unpaid).
- Operate as a self-employed person or run a business in the UK.
- Undertake work activities beyond the permitted list.
If your plans involve more direct employment or long-term work, you will need a full UK Work Visa. Our experts can assess your needs and advise you on the correct immigration pathway.
Specialist Activities for Professionals Employed Overseas
The UK visitor rules also permit individuals in specific professions to undertake activities directly related to their overseas job. If you are employed outside the UK in one of the following roles, we can help ensure your visit is approved:
Corporate and Intra-Company Roles
- Internal Auditors conducting regulatory or financial audits for a UK branch.
- Personal Assistants and Bodyguards supporting an overseas business executive on their visit.
Media, Arts, and Sports Professionals
- Artists, Entertainers, and Musicians giving performances or participating in promotional activities.
- Film Crew members, including actors, directors, and technicians.
- Journalists and Correspondents gathering information for an overseas publication.
- Professional Sportspeople and Officials taking part in tournaments, trials, or promotional events.
Legal, Academic, and Research Professionals
- Lawyers and Expert Witnesses advising a client or providing evidence in a UK court.
- Academics and Professors conducting research or accompanying students on a study tour.
- Scientists and Archaeologists undertaking research or fieldwork.
Technical and Logistical Roles
- Drivers delivering goods or passengers from outside the UK.
- Pilots and Cabin Crew operating under a ‘Wet Lease Agreement’ approved by the Civil Aviation Authority.
- Seafarers joining a ship in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – UK Business Visits
Q: Can I get paid for speaking at a conference in the UK?
A: Generally, you cannot be paid for talks on a standard business visit. However, if you are an expert in your field with a formal invitation, you may be eligible for a “Permitted Paid Engagement,” which is a specific visitor sub-category. We can advise if this applies to you.
Q: I need to install specialist machinery for a UK client. Is that allowed?
A: Yes, this is a permitted activity provided your overseas company has a direct contract with the UK company for the supply or installation of the machinery. We can help you prepare the correct evidence for your application.
Q: What is the main difference between a Business Visitor Visa and a Skilled Worker Visa?
A: A Business Visitor Visa is for short-term, non-work activities like meetings and negotiations. A Skilled Worker Visa is a long-term route for individuals who have a job offer from a licensed UK employer to come and live and work in the UK.
How We Can Help Your Business Visit Succeed
Our dedicated team of immigration specialists will:
- Assess Your Itinerary: We review your planned activities to ensure they fully comply with UK visitor rules.
- Prepare a Robust Application: We help you gather the necessary evidence to prove you are a genuine visitor with strong ties to your home country.
- Manage the Process: We handle the entire application, minimising stress and maximising your chances of success.
About the Author:
Farzad Ghods is an international lawyer specialising in UK immigration law. He is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Immigration Advisors Authority (IAA) in the United Kingdom, and is also a member of the Iran Bar Association. He brings over fourteen years of professional legal experience to his practice.