How to Get a Business Visa in the UK: Common FAQs Answered

Those who want to come to the UK to do business will generally need a visa, and while the wealth of options means you have a better chance of securing the right visa, it can also make it difficult to determine which one you need and how exactly to get it. 

The expert immigration solicitors at Latitude Law can help. Our team has a wealth of experience in helping businesspeople decide which visa route is right for their particular circumstances, and supporting them at all stages of the visa application process to give them the best chances of success. 

What types of business visas are available in the UK?

The UK offers several types of visas that may be considered "business visas". We can offer advice on the following types: 

Standard Visitor Visa (permitted activities for business visitors): Often suitable for those undertaking short-term business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews, signing contracts and conducting site visits. It’s only valid for up to 6 months at a time.

Innovator Founder Visa: Aimed at more experienced businesspeople who are looking to set up a new company in the UK,  Innovator Founder applicants need to show that they have a viable and scalable business idea that is endorsed by an approved endorsing body.

The visa initially allows applicants to come to the UK for three years, although it can be extended and lead to settled status if certain criteria are met.

Global Talent Visa: This visa category is for leaders in academia, research, arts and culture, or digital technology. To apply, you need an endorsement from a recognised UK body. You may need to show evidence of your achievements, including publications, awards or other recognition of your work.

While this visa can be difficult to attain, it offers flexibility in terms of employment and the possibility of settling in the UK. Unlike other visa categories, you do not need a job offer to secure this type of visa.

Skilled Worker Visa: This is designed for individuals who have been offered a job in the UK by a Home Office-approved employer. It allows certain skilled professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with a business that holds a valid sponsorship licence.

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility): This UK immigration category is designed to enable senior managers, specialists workers or other employees of multinational companies to be transferred to a UK branch of their organisation for a temporary period.

This visa category is one of the UK's ‘Global Business Mobility’ routes, which were introduced to facilitate various business-related activities that support the UK economy while ensuring that transfers within international companies can occur smoothly and efficiently.

UK Expansion Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility): Designed for workers who want to open a UK branch of an overseas business, this visa route is another of the Global Business Mobility categories. It is designed for senior managers or specialist employees who are being transferred to the UK to supervise the expansion of an existing business into the UK market.

It is only suitable for businesses that do not yet have a trading presence in the UK and are looking to establish one; the Senior or Specialist Worker visa can be used if the relevant business already has a UK presence.

Tier 1 (Investor) visa and Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa: These visas are no longer available to new applicants, but people living in the UK on the basis of these visas can still apply to have family members join them as dependants.

This is not a comprehensive list of the visas that are available, and it is important to speak to legal experts for advice on the visa route that will best meet your requirements. 

Get in contact with the team at Latitude Law for more information.

What are the requirements for UK business visa applications?

The requirements for UK business visa applications are different for every category, although some eligibility requirements generally apply no matter which type of visa you apply for.

• For example, you will generally need a valid passport or other travel document to prove your identity, and you must attend a biometric enrolment appointment at a visa application centre in order to register your details.
  
• You may need to show that you have enough money saved to maintain you during your stay in the UK (which typically means meeting a set threshold).
  
• In many cases, the job you intend to take must also meet a minimum salary threshold, although the exact amount varies between the categories.
  
• An additional financial consideration is that you will need to pay an application fee and an Immigration Health Surcharge for each year you intend to live in the UK. The application fee is different for each category, and usually needs to be paid not only by the main visa applicant but also by each dependant.
  
• Applicants from particular countries may need to provide the results of a tuberculosis test.
  
• If you intend to start your own business in the UK, you might need to provide a business plan.
  
• Similarly, if you want to bring a spouse, civil partner or children to the UK as dependants on your visa, you may need to provide evidence of your relationships.

You should consult the UK government's visa website for official guidance on the eligibility requirements for your specific visa. It is also wise to seek advice from an immigration expert for the most up-to-date and detailed information that applies specifically to your situation and the type of business visa you are interested in.

How do you apply for a business visa in the UK?

The first step when applying for a business visa in the UK is to establish what kind you need. We mentioned above some types of business visas available in the UK; alternatively, check out our business and work immigration page for more information. 

Next, you’ll need to gather the necessary documents for your specific visa. Generally, this might include:

• Passport
• Proof of funds
• Proof of accommodation
• Income tax returns

This is not all the documents you’re likely to need however, and we’ll cover this more in the next section of this blog. 

After gathering your documents, you need to apply. This is usually done through a visa application online form, and you’ll have to pay a visa fee at this point. 

Following this, you may be contacted to provide biometric information, proving your identity and moving your application process along. This is the final step before awaiting a decision on your UK visa application. 

What documents are needed for a business visa application in the UK?

For a business visa application in the UK, you’ll almost always need a valid passport, a recent passport sized photograph, evidence documents of financial report, travel documents and more.

• Evidence of visit purpose - This might be an invitation letter from a UK company, or a letter from a foreign country outlining a business plan and your involvement in it.

• Evidence of financial support - Bank statements which prove that you have sufficient funds for your trip, or a letter from your employer explaining how the trip is funded. 

• Endorsement letter - For an innovator founder or global talent visa, you’ll need an endorsement letter proving you’ve met certain criteria.  

• Certificate of sponsorship - Containing a sponsorship reference number, this certificate should detail your job title, salary and occupation code. 

This list is not exhaustive, as each different visa type might require different documents for an application. 

How long can I stay in the UK on a business-based visa?

The duration of your stay in the UK depends on the visa type.

• A Standard Visitor visa allows a stay of up to six months.
• The UK Expansion Worker visa offers up to 12 months.
• The Innovator Founder visa offers up to three years.

The latter two can offer the possibility of an extension.

• The Global Talent visa, Skilled Worker visa and Senior or Specialist Worker visa all offer up to five years with the ability to extend your stay at the end of the visa period. 

However, you may be unable to extend a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, as this comes with a maximum total allowed stay. It is vital to consider this when you apply for a visa, and to make sure you understand and comply with all of the relevant restrictions.

How long does it take to process a UK business-based visa?

Processing times vary by visa category, service selected and the country from which you apply. In general, for a standard service, you will receive a decision within 3 - 6 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, or 6 – 8 weeks if you apply from within the UK.

This timeline begins once you have made your application, proved your identity and submitted any documents required. These processes may be done online, or you may need to attend an appointment at a visa application centre, which can take longer.

In some cases (including for the Standard Visitor visa and Senior or Specialist Worker visa) you can pay for a faster decision. You may also be able to start your application up to three months before you begin working for a business in the UK, which can help to account for any required documents you need to submit. This may include bank statements to show you have enough personal savings to maintain you, and a valid travel document that proves your identity.

Can I bring my family members with me on a UK business visa?

Dependants may accompany or join you in the UK on some business visas (like the Innovator Founder or Global Talent visas) but not on a short-term Standard Visitor visa for business. 

For applications made outside the UK, each dependant must apply separately, and will need to submit their own required documents along with their visa application form to prove their identity and their relationship to you.

Are there any English language requirements for a UK business-based visa?

English language proficiency is a requirement for most long-term visas. To demonstrate your proficiency, you may need to pass an approved English language test, or show that you have a degree that was taught or researched in English.

There is no English language requirement to visit the UK under a short-term visa like the Standard Visitor visa, nor to move here under the Global Talent visa. However, if your ultimate aim is to settle in the UK, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in English when you apply for indefinite leave to remain.

What happens if my UK business-based visa application is rejected?

If your application is rejected, you will receive a letter explaining the reasons for the refusal. You may be able to apply for a review of the decision or address the reasons for refusal and make a new application. It is always best to get your visa application right in the first instance, as having the visa refused can be disruptive to your plans and may need to be declared in future applications. As such, working with a solicitor is always the best approach to give you the highest chances of success.

The team at Latitude Law provides a document review service, although this is not offered for all categories. Our team can check that everything is in order with your application and that the relevant eligibility requirements are met. If your application is refused, we can advise you on the possibility of challenging it by administrative review, support you to apply again or help you to choose a more suitable visa route to meet your needs.

For guidance on making a successful application for a UK business-based visa, advice about the Global Business Mobility routes or any other support during this process, contact Latitude Law today or use our online enquiry form to request a call back.