UK Business Visitors Visa
The Business Visit Visa is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor route, which is a temporary visa for individuals who wish to visit the UK for business purposes. It allows individuals to enter the UK for the purpose of carrying out specific business related activities.
The visa is typically valid for either 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years. Business Visit Visa is available to visa nationals, and non visa nationals holders may undertake a range of general business activities, including attending meetings, conferences, seminars, and trade fairs, negotiating and signing deals and contracts, and carrying out site visits and inspections.
The visa does not lead to settlement in the UK, and all visitors must make a separate application, even when traveling as part of a group.
- What are the requirements for a Business Visitor Visa?
- Apply for a Business Visitor Visa for the UK
- What activities can I undertake on a Business Visitor Visa?
- What is the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?
- Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) v Business Visitors Visa
- What are the financial requirements for a Business Visitor Visa?
- "Can I apply for a Business Visitor Visa if I have previously been refused entry to the UK?"
- "Can I bring my family with me on a Business Visitor Visa?"
What are the requirements for a Business Visitor Visa?
The requirements for a Business Visitor Visa to the UK include the following:
- You must be a visa national. Depending on your nationality Non visa nationals can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival at the UK border or apply to an ETA.
- You must be genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes.
- You must not undertake any prohibited activities while in the UK.
- You need to have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit, including maintenance and accommodation costs, without working or accessing public funds.
- The funds must be held in a permitted financial institution, and travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs may be met by a third party if certain conditions are met.
- You must leave the UK at the end of their visit and not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits.
- Business visitors are allowed to undertake specific activities, such as attending meetings, conferences, and seminars, negotiating and signing deals and contracts, carrying out site visits and inspections, and overseeing the delivery of goods and services provided by a UK company to their overseas company.
Apply for a Business Visitor Visa for the UK
When applying for a UK Business Visitor visa, you need to follow these steps:
- Fill out the online application provided by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
- Submit the required fee along with your application
6 Months £115
2 years £400
5 Years £771
- Provide a valid passport or travel document that will cover the entire duration of your stay in the UK. Ensure there is a blank page for the visa.
- Depending on your situation, you may need to submit additional documents, such as proof of funds for your trip, evidence of your business itinerary, and details of your accommodation in the UK.
- You can apply for the visitor visa up to 3 months before your travel date. The decision on your application is typically made within around 3 weeks.
If you are not being paid by a UK company for your visit, you can apply for a standard visitor visa. If you are being paid by a UK company to visit as an expert in your profession, you can apply for a visa waiver.
What activities can I undertake on a Business Visitor Visa?
On a UK Business Visitor Visa, you can undertake a range of permitted business-related activities during your stay. These activities typically include:
- Attending meetings, conferences, seminars, and interviews.
- Negotiating and signing deals and contracts.
- Attending trade fairs for promotional work only, without directly selling.
- Carrying out site visits, inspections, and overseeing the delivery of goods and services provided by a UK company to an overseas company.
- Giving one-off or short series of talks and speeches, provided these are not organised as commercial events.
- Delivering training or sharing knowledge on internal projects with UK employees of the company you work for.
- Installing, dismantling, repairing, servicing, or advising on equipment, computer software, and hardware if your overseas company has a contract with a UK company or organisation.
It’s important to note that business visitors are not permitted to take up employment in the UK or establish or run a business as a self-employed person. Additionally, they cannot do work for an organisation/business in the UK other than the permitted activities as set out.
What is the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)?
The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a new security system for screening foreign travellers coming to the UK. It will be electronically linked to the recipient’s passport. Once fully implemented, with the exception of British or Irish citizens, everyone entering the UK for business or other purposes will require a visa or electronic authorization.
The ETA requirement will be rolled out in stages, depending on the visitor’s nationality. For example, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE nationals will now need to apply for an ETA. The UK Government’s proposal is that all non visa nationalities will be required to apply for an ETA by the end of 2024.
Once in force, applicants can apply for an ETA using a mobile app at a cost of £10, with most decisions expected to be processed within 3 working days in some cases sooner.
The ETA will last for up to 2 years and permit multiple visits to the UK during that time. However, if your passport expires in less than 2 years, you will need to re apply, as your ETA is electronically linked to the passport you applied with. During the ETA’s validity period, you will be able to use this to make multiple visits to the UK, provided you use the same passport to travel with and that passports remain valid for the duration of the stay.
The ETA is an improvement on the previous Electronic Visa Waiver scheme, costing £10 and permitting multiple journeys to the UK over two years.
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) v Business Visitors Visa
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is a new requirement for non visa national passengers visiting or transiting through the UK. It is electronically linked to the traveller’s passport and allows for multiple entries into the UK within two years. The ETA is now available for nationals of specific countries like Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia,
The Business Visitor Visa is still available for individuals who need to visit the UK for short term business related activities.
Therefore, whether to apply for a Business Visitor Visa or an ETA depends on the traveller’s nationality and the specific purpose of their visit to the UK.
What are the financial requirements for a Business Visitor Visa?
The UK does not have a set minimum amount of funds required for a Business Visitor Visa. However, applicants must demonstrate that they have enough money to cover their travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs without working or accessing public funds. The specific amount needed can vary based on individual circumstances and the purpose of the visit. It’s important to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK.
"Can I apply for a Business Visitor Visa if I have previously been refused entry to the UK?"
If you have been previously refused entry to the UK, it may impact your ability to apply for a Business Visitor Visa. A visa refusal can be a significant factor in subsequent visa applications, as it may raise concerns about the genuineness of your purpose for visiting.
The UK government’s guidance emphasises the need to ensure that you have the required permission and that you are eligible for the visa route you are applying for.
It’s important to carefully consider the reasons for the previous refusal and address any issues before making a new application. If you have experienced a visa refusal, it’s advisable to seek professional advice to understand the implications and how to proceed with any future visa applications.
"Can I bring my family with me on a Business Visitor Visa?"
No, individuals applying for a UK Business Visitor Visa are not permitted to bring their family members with them. The Business Visitor Visa is designed for individuals who wish to come to the UK to undertake specific business activities on a short-term basis.
It is not intended for individuals to make the UK their main home or to bring their family members with them. Therefore, the general rule is that family members are not eligible to accompany the visa holder on a Business Visitor Visa.
It’s important to carefully review the specific visa requirements and seek professional advice if there are any questions about eligibility or the ability to bring family members as we may be able to advise on alternative routes to the UK like the Dependant Visa
Seeking legal advice and representation from an immigration experts can be beneficial in navigating the application process and ensuring that all requirements are met.
It’s important to carefully review the specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements for dependant visas, as they may vary based on individual circumstances and the type of visa being applied for.
Speak to our immigration solicitors today.
Immigration Law
Other Services
WE CAN CALL YOU BACK
Honest Commitment
Get in touch today
Contact Us
Please complete the contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Call: 01204 371 414
Email: enquiries@hisolicitors.co.uk
Office Address:
187b Derby St, Bolton, BL3 6JT
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday
10.00am-18.00pm