Business Immigration and the UK Business Visitor Visa
With Brexit and the forthcoming end of free movement for EU citizens and the planned introduction of a new points based Immigration system, businesses and HR advisors are asking whether the UK business visit visa will meet some of their business immigration needs. In this blog we look at business immigration and the UK business visit visa and whether it may meet some of your short term business immigration needs.
UK business visit visa solicitors
London based OTS Solicitors specialise in business immigration law and have substantial experience in successfully securing UK business visit visas. For advice about your business visit visa application and your alternative business immigration options call the business immigration lawyers at OTS Solicitors on 0203 959 9123 or complete our online enquiry form.
Appointments are available through video conferencing, Skype or by telephone appointment.
What is the UK business visit visa?
Immigration solicitors refer to business visit visas if you want to conduct business in the UK on a temporary basis under what are referred to as permissible activities under the business visit visa. However, under the Immigration Rules, a business visit visa falls within the category of a standard visit visa.
Why apply for a UK business visit visa?
If you want to come to the UK and carry out business on a temporary basis then applying for a business visit visa is easier and quicker than applying for a work visa or other type of business immigration visa. However, a business visit visa won't suit you unless your planned business activities fall within the definition of ‘permissible activities’ under a business visit visa.
Immigration solicitors say that it is best to take legal advice if you are not sure whether your planned business activities are permissible or not to avoid your being refused UK entry or encountering visa issues.
How long does a business visit visa last for?
A business visit visa is a temporary, short-term visa that enables those coming to the UK for business purposes to stay for up to six months.
What are the permissible business activities under a business visit visa?
If you successfully apply for a business visit visa then the permissible business activities include:
- Attendance at meetings
- Attending business conferences and business seminars
- Giving a talk or a seminar or a short series of talks but the talks or seminars must not be organised as commercial events or make a profit for the organiser
- Negotiating and signing contracts
- Attending trade fairs for promotional work only. This means you can't sell at the trade fair
- Attending site visits and inspections
- Going to interviews
- Obtaining information for your overseas employer or obtaining information on the needs and requirements of a UK based customer but the Immigration Rules say that any work for the customer must be done outside of the UK.
In addition to the above activities, an employee of an overseas-based company can also carry out these business activities:
- Consult and advise
- Provide training
- Provide and share skills on specific internal projects with UK employees of the same business but the employer of the overseas based company, who is in the UK on a business visit visa, can't carry out work directly with clients
- Conduct financial or regulatory audits as an internal auditor at a UK branch of the same group of businesses as the overseas employer.
In addition to the above permissible business activities there are also sector specific activities such as for sportspersons, entertainers and musicians, academics, and doctors and dentists.
What can't you do on a business visit visa?
Immigration solicitors say that there are various business activities that you can't do whilst in the UK on a business visit visa and that it is best to know what isn’t permitted before you apply for your business visit visa. The Immigration Rules say that you can't intend to:
- Work in the UK
- Set up or run your own business as a self-employed person
- Participate in a work placement or internship
- Directly sell to the public or provide goods and services.
Am I eligible to apply for a business visit visa?
The eligibility criteria for a business visit visa are that:
- You are applying for the business visit visa to carry out permissible business activities and you have proof of the business or other activities you plan to do in the UK
- You will leave the UK at the end of your visit visa
- You have enough money to support and accommodate yourself without help from public funds during your visit to the UK
- You can pay for your return journey from the UK.
Can you apply for a business visit visa from within the UK?
The Immigration Rules say that you can't apply for a business visit visa whilst you are in the UK. Any business visit visa application has to be made from outside the UK.
When can you apply for a business visit visa?
The Immigration Rules say that an application for a business visit visa must be made online and must be made within three months of your intended visit.
UK business visit visa solicitors
London based OTS Solicitors are experts in business immigration law and their expertise has been recognised by inclusion in the two leading law directories, Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and The Legal 500.
For specialist business visit visa and business immigration law advice call the business immigration team on 0203 959 9123 or complete our online enquiry form. Appointments are available through video conferencing, Skype or by telephone appointment.