Business Visit Visa: Secure your Visa

Business Visit Visa

The UK Business Visit Visa allows overseas professionals to enter the UK for short-term business-related activities such as meetings, negotiations, and conferences, without undertaking paid work for a UK entity.

What Is a UK Business Visit Visa?

The UK Business Visit Visa is a category of the Standard Visitor Visa designed specifically for individuals travelling to the UK for temporary business purposes. It permits a range of commercial and professional activities, provided the visitor remains employed and paid overseas and does not undertake productive work for a UK business.

Permitted activities typically include attending meetings, conferences and trade fairs, negotiating contracts, conducting site visits, receiving training, and giving short-term advice. Certain client-facing activities may also be allowed, depending on the nature of the role and the overseas employment relationship.

Where the proposed activity involves taking up employment, delivering services directly to a UK client as part of a contract, or remaining in the UK on a long-term basis, a sponsored route such as the Skilled Worker visa may be required instead.

For multinational companies moving staff to the UK entity on an intra-group basis, the appropriate route may fall under Global Business Mobility route rather than a visit visa.

Who Can Apply for a UK Business Visit Visa?

Applicants must meet the general visitor requirements and demonstrate that their visit is strictly for a permitted business purpose. Key eligibility criteria include:

• A genuine intention to undertake permitted business activities only
• An intention to leave the UK at the end of the visit
• Sufficient funds to cover travel and living costs
• Evidence of overseas employment or business ownership
• A clear business reason supported by documentation
• No intention to live in the UK through frequent or successive visits

If the activity being undertaken would require formal sponsorship or ongoing engagement with a UK business, the host organisation’s obligations fall under Sponsor Compliance requirements. 

Where the proposed work exceeds the scope of permissible visitor activities, a sponsored work route such as the Skilled Worker Visa will usually be required.

For overseas businesses sending senior staff to establish a UK presence, Global Business Mobility routes may be more appropriate.

Documents You’ll Need

Applicants must provide evidence to demonstrate both the business purpose of the visit and their intention to leave the UK. Typical documents include:

• A valid passport
• A formal invitation letter from the UK company or event organiser
• A detailed business itinerary
• Employer letter confirming role, salary, and approval of travel
• Evidence of business activities overseas
• Proof of funds (bank statements)
• Proof of ties to the home country (employment, property, family ties)
• Travel and accommodation details

Where a UK host business is involved, the documentation must align with the organisation’s Sponsor Compliance obligations to ensure the visitor is not undertaking prohibited activities.

How to Apply for a Business Visit Visa

Step 1 – Confirm Eligibility and Purpose of Visit

Confirm that the planned activities fall strictly within the permitted business visitor rules. If the role involves hands-on work or long-term delivery of services, sponsorship considerations under Sponsor Compliance may apply.

Step 2 – Prepare Documents

Gather all supporting documents, including employer confirmation, invitation letters, financial evidence, and proof of overseas ties. Documentation must clearly demonstrate that the applicant will remain employed and paid outside the UK.

Step 3 – Submit Application & Biometrics

Applications are submitted online, followed by attendance at a visa application centre to provide biometrics. Optional priority services may be selected where available.

Step 4 – Decision

Most applications receive a decision within standard processing times. Where the intended activity resembles employment, UKVI may assess whether a Skilled Worker Visa would be more appropriate. Corporate assignees may also be assessed against Global Business Mobility.

Fees and Processing Times

A Standard Visitor visa costs £127 for up to 6 months. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. Optional priority and super-priority services may be available in certain locations.

Standard processing times are typically around 3 weeks from the biometric appointment, although this can vary by country and time of year.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Common reasons for refusal include:

• Unclear or inconsistent business purpose
• Insufficient evidence of overseas employment
• Undertaking activities that require sponsorship
• Lack of financial evidence
• Weak ties to the home country
• Previous UK immigration issues

Many refusals occur where visitors inadvertently undertake activities that fall under sponsorship requirements. These risks are closely linked to Sponsor Compliance obligations for UK hosts. 

Where the role involves hands-on work or ongoing project delivery, a Skilled Worker Visa is often the correct solution. Corporate transfers within international groups may instead fall under Global Business Mobility routes.

After You’re Approved

Once approved, visitors may enter the UK for the permitted business activities only. Key limitations include:

• No employment by a UK company
• No access to public funds
• No long-term residence
• No hands-on productive work
• No establishment of a UK business

The maximum stay per visit is usually up to 6 months. Frequent repeat visits can be refused if UKVI believes the individual is effectively living in the UK through successive short visits.

UK host businesses must ensure visitors remain compliant with their Sponsor Compliance responsibilities where applicable. If future involvement becomes long-term or operational, a sponsored route such as Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility may be required.

Why Choose Migrate UK

Migrate UK specialises in UK business and corporate immigration. We advise both individuals and organisations on the correct immigration route, ensuring full compliance with UKVI regulations while minimising risk and disruption to business operations.

Our team provides end-to-end support, from assessing eligibility and preparing documentation to managing complex multi-jurisdictional business travel needs.