Business Visitor Visa: Applicant Guide

If you are coming to the UK for the purposes of business, you’ll need to ensure you have the relevant permission. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a Business Visitor visa, or you may require an ETA.

The following guide for foreign nationals looking to come to the UK as business visitors looks at the various different aspects of the Business Visitor visa category, from when this type of visa is needed to how long a visa application will take to process.

 

Is there a Business Visitor visa for the UK?

 

Under the UK’s Immigration Rules for visitors, it is possible for overseas nationals to visit the UK for a temporary period, usually for up to 6 months, to carry out unpaid business activities. A visit visa for business purposes is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor visa, but is also commonly referred to as a Business Visitor visa.

 

Do you need a UK Business Visitor visa?

 

The question of whether you will need a Business Visitor visa will depend on your nationality, and whether you are deemed a ‘visa national‘ or ‘non-visa national’.

Under the rules, most visa nationals will need to apply for a Business Visitor visa to be able to undertake business activities in the UK. A visa national is any citizen from the list of countries under the Immigration Rules who need a visa to visit the UK — from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

In contrast, non-visa nationals — namely, citizens whose nationality does not appear on the visa national list — will not need a visa in advance of travelling to the UK, but most now need an ETA under the UK’s new entry system, and must still request entry clearance at a UK port of entry. Additionally, over the course of the next few months, UK travel requirements will be changing, where non-visa nationals will soon be required to obtain electronic travel authorisation (ETA) prior to travel.

 

Visitor visa or ETA?

 

Deciding whether you need a Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK depends on your nationality, travel plans, and the activities you intend to undertake during your stay.

The ETA is being introduced for nationals of visa-exempt countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and others, starting in 2024. It allows eligible travellers to enter the UK for short-term visits without the need for a traditional visa.

 

Nationalities Requiring ETA to Enter or Transit the UK
From 15 November 2023	Qatar
From 22 February 2024	Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
From 8 January 2025	Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong SAR, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao SAR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Taiwan (with eligible passport), Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, United States, Uruguay.
From 2 April 2025	Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Vatican City.

 

If you are from a country that qualifies for the ETA, you will not need to apply for a Visitor Visa unless your travel plans exceed the scope of an ETA. Activities permitted under the ETA include tourism, visiting family or friends, and certain business activities such as attending meetings or conferences. The ETA is valid for up to six months per visit and is designed to be a quick and affordable way to gain entry to the UK. Applications are completed entirely online, with decisions usually made quickly.

The Visitor Visa is for individuals who are not eligible for the ETA or those who require a visa for their travel plans. This includes people from countries that are not visa-exempt or those who need to stay in the UK for longer periods or undertake specific activities not covered by the ETA.

The Visitor Visa allows travellers to enter the UK for up to six months at a time. It also offers options for long-term validity, such as two, five, or ten years, making it suitable for regular or frequent travellers. However, applying for a Visitor Visa involves more documentation, a higher cost, and longer processing times compared to the ETA.

If you are eligible for both options, the ETA is typically the faster, cheaper, and more convenient choice for short-term visits. On the other hand, if your travel plans involve longer stays, frequent visits over many years, or activities beyond those allowed under an ETA, a Visitor Visa is the better option.

 

Business visitor visa permissible activities

 

If you are travelling to the UK under a Business Visitor visa, or visa-free but for business purposes, or with an EVW or ETA, you must be coming to the UK to engage in activities permitted under the visitor rules. The different business activities permissible include:

 

• attending meetings, conferences, seminars and interviews
• giving a one-off or short series of talks and speeches
• negotiating and signing deals or contracts
• attending trade fairs in the UK to promote your business
• carrying out site visits and inspections in the UK
• gathering information for your employment overseas
• being briefed on the requirements of a UK-based customer
• receiving or delivering work-related training
• advising and consulting on internal projects
• overseeing the delivery of goods and services
• installing, dismantling, repairing, servicing or advising on machinery, equipment, software and hardware.

 

Under the visitor rules, while a business visitor is permitted to give a one-off or short series of talks and speeches, these must not be organised as commercial events and must not be arranged to make a profit for the organiser. Equally, if a visitor is planning to attend trade fairs in the UK, this can only be for promotional work, where the visitor will be prohibited from directly selling. Additionally, when being briefed on the requirements of a UK-based customer, any work for the customer can only be undertaken outside of the UK.

 

UK Business Visitor visa requirements

 

To be eligible for a Business Visitor visa, you must meet all of the following requirements:

 

• be genuinely seeking to come to the UK for business purposes permitted under the rules
• be able to financially support yourself for the duration of your stay in the UK
• be able to pay the reasonable costs relating to your UK visit, without undertaking paid work or accessing public funds, including the cost of either your return or onward journey
• not be intending to undertake any prohibited activities during your stay in the UK
• be intending to leave the UK at the end of your authorised stay
• not be intending to live in the UK for extended periods of time through either frequent or successive visits on this visa-type, nor be trying to make the UK your main home.

 

You must meet the eligibility requirements for a Business Visitor visa, even if you do not need a visa. This includes travelling visa-free under the current rules and travelling under an ETA once the new electronic travel authorisation system comes fully into force.

 

How to apply for a Business Visitor visa for the UK

 

To apply for a UK Business Visitor visa, you must complete an online application with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), pay the relevant fee and submit a valid passport or other travel document to prove your identity. This passport or document must be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK and there must be a blank page for UKVI to include your visa.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need additional documents, including evidence of your ability to fund your trip or from any third party who has agreed to help finance this. You may also need evidence of your business itinerary and where you will be staying.

 

How much does a UK Business Visitor visa cost?

 

The cost to apply for a Business Visitor visa is £115 for a 6 month standard visa. However, if you are looking for a visit visa with a longer period of validity, one which will allow you to visit the UK a number of times for business purposes, the fee will be higher.

 

Visa Type	Fee	Maximum length of stay
Standard Visitor visa	£115	6 months
2 year long-term Standard Visitor visa	£432	6 months per visit
5 year long-term Standard Visitor visa	£771	6 months per visit
10 year long-term Standard Visitor visa	£963	6 months per visit

 

For a 2-year visa, the fee is £432 or £771 for a 5-year visa.

A 10-year visa is also available, at a cost of £963, although demonstrating a need to visit the UK regularly for business purposes over such a long period of time will require specific evidence to be provided. For any initial application, it is therefore often best to apply for either a visa over 2 or 5 years, until you have been able to establish a regular pattern of business trips over an extended period.

For long-term Business Visitor visas, while these will allow multiple entries over the validity period of the visa, you will only be able to stay in the UK for up to 6 months on each visit.

 

 

How long does a Business Visitor visa take to process?

 

When applying for a Business Visitor visa from overseas, having paid the relevant fee and proved your identity, it will usually take up to 3 weeks for a decision to be made.

In some cases, depending on which country you are applying from, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. Where available, the cost to apply for a decision within 5 working days using the priority service will be £500, while the cost to apply for a super priority decision by the end of the next working day will be £1000.

The time starts from either the day of your appointment (or the working day after you finished uploading your documents, if you use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app).

The cost to pay for a faster decision will be in addition to your visa application fee and is non-refundable if your application is refused or, in exceptional cases, it takes longer to process. An application for a Business Visitor visa may be delayed for a number of different reasons, including if you:

 

• have been refused a visa for the UK
• have been refused leave to enter or leave to remain in the UK
• have been deported, removed or otherwise required to leave the UK
• have overstayed a period of leave in the UK
• have had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office
• have been refused a visa for either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States or any one of the Schengen countries, including most EU member states
• have been interviewed, detained or prosecuted for any offence in the UK or elsewhere
• have an unspent criminal conviction or committed an offence in any country.

 

If you fall into one or more of these categories, it can be better to avoid using a priority service. It may not possible for your application to be processed within such short timescales and paying for a faster decision does not guarantee that your application will be successful. A decision on your Business Visitor visa application may also be delayed where there is a need to check or gather further information in order for UKVI to make a decision.

Given the risk of delay, it can often be best to ensure that your application for a Business Visitor visa has been approved by UKVI before booking any travel and accommodation.

 

Alternative visa options for business visitors

 

With the exception of the permitted activities listed under the rules, a business visitor must not engage in any other employment-related activities in the UK. This means that doing paid work would be classed as a prohibited activity and in breach of the visitor rules.

If you wish to engage in paid work as a business visitor, you could look at the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor visa. To be eligible for this visa, you must be an expert in your profession, where you will be paid by a UK-based organisation or client to attend an engagement or event in the UK. You must also only intend to do permitted paid engagements relating to your area of expertise overseas, and any engagement must be arranged prior to travelling to the UK and evidenced by a formal invitation.

When it comes to what constitutes a permitted paid engagement, the scenarios are relatively limited. These only include examining or assessing students as a highly-qualified academic; giving a lecture or series of lectures in your specialised subject area; assessing pilots as a pilot examiner; providing advocacy for a client as a qualified lawyer in the context of legal proceedings; carrying out an activity directly relating to your profession as an artist, entertainer or musician; or carrying out an activity as a professional sportsperson.

As a PPE visitor, you cannot do work that is unrelated to your main overseas job role or area of expertise, or that otherwise falls outside the activities permitted under the rules. To do so, you would instead need to apply for a suitable work visa. This could include, for example, the Skilled Worker visa, the UK Expansion Worker visa or the Innovator Founder visa, although securing expert advice from an immigration specialist is strongly advised.

 

Need assistance?

 

Without appropriate permission or documentation, you could be detained and refused entry at the border. To avoid issues, take specialist advice on your circumstances.

DavidsonMorris are UK immigration and visa specialists. Our experienced legal advisers provide expert guidance on UK entry and travel requirements to visitors coming to the UK for business. Contact us for advice.

 

Business visitor visa FAQs

 

What is a Business Visitor Visa?

The Business Visitor Visa allows individuals to visit the UK for short-term business-related activities, such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiating contracts.

 

Who can apply for a Business Visitor Visa?

Anyone planning to undertake permitted business activities in the UK, such as company representatives, entrepreneurs, or employees attending training sessions, can apply.

 

What activities are allowed under this visa?

Permitted activities include attending business meetings, signing contracts, conducting site visits, delivering training, or giving presentations. Paid work or taking up employment is not allowed.

 

How long can I stay in the UK on this visa?

You can stay in the UK for up to six months. The exact duration will depend on the purpose of your visit and your visa conditions.

 

Do I need a sponsor for this visa?

A sponsor is not required. However, you may need an invitation letter or supporting documents from your UK business contact to confirm the purpose of your visit.

 

Can I extend my stay beyond six months?

Extensions are not permitted under the Business Visitor Visa. You must leave the UK before your visa expires.

 

What documents are required for the application?

Key documents include a valid passport, proof of funds to support yourself during your stay, evidence of business activities (e.g., an invitation letter), and travel details.

 

Can I bring family members with me?

Family members must apply separately for their own visas and cannot be included as dependants on your application.

 

Can I switch to another visa while in the UK?

Switching to another visa type while in the UK is not allowed. You must return to your home country to apply for a different visa.

 

What happens if my visa application is refused?

If refused, you may reapply or appeal depending on the circumstances. It is advisable to review the reasons for refusal and seek professional advice before reapplying.

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
Business Visitor Visa	A short-term visa allowing individuals to visit the UK for business-related activities such as meetings, conferences, or training.
Permitted Activities	Specific business tasks allowed under the visa, such as attending meetings, signing contracts, or giving presentations.
Invitation Letter	A document provided by a UK-based business contact confirming the purpose and details of the visit.
Proof of Funds	Evidence, such as bank statements, showing you can support yourself financially during your stay in the UK.
Valid Passport	A travel document that is current and meets the requirements for international travel and visa application.
Travel Details	Information about your travel arrangements, including flight bookings and accommodation in the UK.
Short-Term Visa	A visa type that permits temporary stays in the UK, usually for up to six months.
Switching Visa	The process of changing from one visa category to another while in the UK, which is not allowed under the Business Visitor Visa.
Extension	The process of applying to prolong your stay in the UK beyond the original visa duration, not permitted under this visa.
Dependants	Family members, such as a spouse or children, who must apply for their own visas if accompanying a business visitor.
Refusal	The rejection of a visa application due to unmet requirements or insufficient documentation.
Supporting Documents	Evidence required for the visa application, such as financial records, proof of business activities, and an invitation letter.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)	The UK government department responsible for managing visa applications and immigration control.
Paid Work	Employment or contractual work for which you receive payment, not allowed under the Business Visitor Visa.
Site Visits	Visits to business premises or locations in the UK for observation or negotiation purposes, permitted under the visa.
Conference Attendance	Participation in professional or industry-related conferences or seminars, allowed under the Business Visitor Visa.