Business Visitors

Introduction

A business visitor is an individual who will visit the UK to engage in activities directly linked to their employment or business abroad and who will receive their salary abroad. They may receive reasonable travel and living expenses from sources in the United Kingdom.

Aims of the provisions

To allow individuals to conduct certain types of business or engage in business-related activities for short periods of time.  This is in recognition of the increasingly global nature of business and of the concurrent need for non-EEA nationals to engage in short business visits to the UK.

Legal Requirements

Entrants must be able to show that:

  • they only want to visit the UK for up to six months;
  • they intend to leave the United Kingdom at the end of their visit;
  • they will not require financial help from public funds;
  • they normally live and work abroad and they have no plans to base themselves in the UK; and
  • they do not plan to work, produce goods or provide services in the UK.

 

The types of activity that are allowed under this category are restricted to the following:

  • attending meetings, trade fairs, conferences and seminars;
  • purchasing goods and negotiate contracts with UK businesses;
  • undertaking fact finding missions, check details or examine goods;
  • receiving training through observation and classroom instruction only;
  • delivering goods from abroad; for example, an international lorry driver
  • those coming as a representative of a foreign IT company to install, service or modify their product;
  • visiting as a representative of a foreign machine manufacturer to install, service or repair machinery. As part of a contract of purchase and supply, employees may install machinery that is too large to be delivered in one piece;
  • visiting as an adviser or consultant to a UK firm.  The same company or group of companies that the client firm belongs to must employ applicants abroad, either directly or under contract. Advisers must not get involved in project management.
  • visiting to give certain kinds of training.  The training must be for a specific purpose, not go beyond classroom instruction and must not be readily available anywhere else in the UK;
  • visiting as a guest speaker at a conference or seminar.  This must be a single or occasional event and not a commercial venture that the applicants is a part of;
  • visiting to run a conference or seminar.  Events must last no more than five days, and be single or occasional, involving a specialist subject that attracts a wide audience, including people from outside the United Kingdom;
  • visiting as an expert to talk to UK businessmen about overseas export requirements; or
  • visiting as a sports person or entertainer for trials or auditions, or for personal appearances which do not involve performances.

 

Necessary Documentation

Demonstrating an intention to leave the UK after the requested period can be achieved by showing evidence of strong financial, social and family ties in the country of residence.  The relevant documents will vary according to circumstances and availability.

Period of Stay

Successful applicants will be given leave to enter the UK for no longer than 6 months.  There is no option for leave as a Business Visitor to that lead to or count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR, otherwise known as permanent residence or settlement).

There is no limit to the number of times an individual can visit the UK but an ECO (entry Clearance Officer) would not expect a person to spend more than six months of any 12-month period in the UK.  One long stay under this category might suggest that a person has been basing him/herself in the UK and actually working here (something that is not permitted). Those making repeated lengthy business visits to the UK are likely to be questioned more closely and may find that they are refused entry at some stage.

N.B.  Only visa nationals need to obtain prior entry clearance for this type of immigration leave. Non-visa nationals can make an application under this category on entry.

Other Useful Information

  • Entry Clearance processing time: Varies around the world
  • Dependants: Husband/wife, dependant children under 18.  However, the ECO may ask for strong evidence of family ties in the country of residence if dependants are travelling with the applicant.

 

If you are interested in coming to the UK as a business visitor, please contact one of our consultants on 0845 226 4030 for advice on the suitability of this route.  Alternatively, you can make all e-mail enquiries to info@uk-wp.com.