Inner Hero banner Image

Business Visitor Visa

Knowing your do’s and your don’ts for a UK Business Visa

Whether you’re a jet-setting executive or a UK company wanting to bring someone over to visit, understanding the UK’s visitor rules is essential.

The Do's for Business Visitors to the UK:

Obtain the Right Visa: Ensure that you hold the appropriate visa for your intended activities. A Standard Visitor Visa is typically required for business visitors.

Clearly Defined Business Activities: Business visitors are only permitted to engage in specific activities such as attending meetings, conferences, training, or negotiating contracts.

Stay Within Visa Limits: Business visitors should adhere to the visa's permitted stay duration. Extensions are typically not allowed.

Prove Business Ties: Provide documentation to demonstrate a genuine business relationship between the visitor and the UK host company (if applicable).

Financial Support: Business visitors must have the means to cover their expenses while in the UK, as they must not rely on earnings from employment in the UK or from public funds.

The Don'ts for Business Visitors to the UK:

Work or Take a Job: Business visitors cannot engage in paid or unpaid work, including work that directly benefits a UK company.

Overstay: It's crucial to leave the UK before your visa expires. Overstaying can lead to severe consequences, including future visa rejections and a re-entry ban.

Change Visa Type: Business visitors should not use this visa category for activities that require a different visa, such as employment or studying. The Immigration Rules do not allow someone to switch from a visitor to a work visa.

Seek Public Funds: Business visitors must not access public funds or benefits during their stay in the UK.

Misrepresent Your Intentions: Providing false information about a visit's purpose or intentions can lead to visa refusal or entry denial.

Our visa specialisms also include:

How can our immigration solicitors help you?

We have a team of expert immigration lawyers who can help you with all aspects of a UK visit visa. We can help you with:

  • Visa application support: We provide guidance and support throughout the visa application process, ensuring that all necessary documents are prepared and submitted accurately.
  • Compliance Assurance: Our immigration team can help you understand the rules and regulations, ensuring the visit aligns with the permitted activities.
  • Invitation and Sponsorship letters: We assist with drafting invitation letters and sponsorship documents, where required.

At Freeths, we pride ourselves on providing expert legal guidance to individuals and businesses seeking to visit the UK for business purposes. We can provide you with practical and tailored solutions about UK business visit visas that meet your specific needs and circumstances.

Get in touch

Testimonials

  • JZ

    "The service you provided was perfect. I would definitely use your company again. Thank you"

    Junping Zhang

  • LC

    “The Business Immigration team’s support has been invaluable to the University over a number of years, and in particular lately on Brexit, enabling...

    Lisa Courtney, University of Leeds

  • "Excellent support from the Freeths team. They have been able to answer all of our queries and provide the best advice in the given situation."

    The Legal 500, 2024

  • "We have worked with Freeths for in excess of 20 years. They have taken time to fully understand our business, how we work and what our standards a...

    The Legal 500, 2023

  • “I have always been happy with the advice and support received.”

    Chambers & Partners, 2023

Related news & articles

1 of 1
  • Article

    Update on eVisa roll out

  • Article

    Home Office announces new measures on overseas workers

  • Article

    Changes to the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme in the UK

  • Article

    Important update for Employers: eVisa registration opens up to all visa holders

  • Article

    Balancing Compliance and Fairness: Sponsorship Challenges in the Care Sector

  • Article

    Rise in Immigration Enforcement: A New Era of Accountability

  • Article

    Balancing Immigration and Child Protection: Social Worker Insights

  • Article

    MAC publishes review of the Graduate visa route

  • Article

    UK business immigration: What can businesses expect under a Labour government?

  • Article

    Concerns over UK’s transition to eVisas and the digital system’s shortcomings

  • Article

    Labour Shortages in the Food Supply Sector and the Government’s recommendations to tackle the issues

  • Article

    The Migration Advisory Committee’s rapid review of the Graduate route

Get in touch

Contact us today

Whatever your legal needs, our wide ranging expertise is here to support you and your business, so let’s start your legal journey today and get you in touch with the right lawyer to get you started.

Telephone

Get in touch

For general enquiries, please complete this form and we will direct your message to the most appropriate person.