The business visitor visa is for individuals who wish to enter the UK in order to undertake permitted short-term business-related activities.
As the business visit visa route falls within the standard visitor visa category, business visitors will only be permitted to travel to the UK for short periods e.g. a maximum period of 6 months.
If you’re a visa national, i.e. from the list of countries that require a visa to enter the UK, you will be required to apply for a visit visa prior to entering the UK.
Non-visa nationals, e.g. EEA nationals, can enter the UK for a short visit without a prior visa, but similar to visa nationals, non-visa nationals must still satisfy the requirements for entry as a standard visitor; and will only be able to undertake permitted business-related activities.
Visitors to the UK are generally prohibited from carrying out “work activity” and also from receiving payment from any UK source in the UK, unless the planned activities fall within the specific permissions contained within Appendix Visitor of the Immigration Rules – Permitted Activities.
With a Business Visit Visa, you can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do the following business activities:
You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
You must be able to provide documentary evidence to demonstrate:
The expert solicitors at Latitude Law can provide expert advice on all aspects of Business Visitor visa applications. We can provide detailed guidance about the requirements or prepare the entire application alongside a detailed representation document explaining how the relevant rules are met.
Legal 500 2024"Latitude Law is always the 'go-to' immigration firm of the North West. They take their time to get the know their clients and the issues at hand and are very pragmatic and practical in their approach."
Latitude Law has significant experience of preparing successful Business Visitor visa applications. Thanks to our extensive knowledge of immigration rules, we are able to provide pragmatic advice and meet our clients’ needs.
Working with a law firm can be a big decision, which is why we ensure that our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We are a highly driven team that is dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice.
As a boutique law firm specialising in UK-inbound immigration, our experts understand the complexity and uncertainty that constantly shifting visa policies create for people wishing to visit the UK to undertake work related activities. Our lawyers can provide up-to-the-minute legal advice on how any changes will impact your application.
We are pleased to be recognised as a leading law firm by the following independent bodies: The Times Best Law Firms 2024, Chambers & Partners 2024, Legal 500 2024 and Who'sWhoLegal 2024. These endorsements from the international legal directories demonstrate our integrity and success in dealing with difficult cases. We are also proud of our 5-star Google reviews from over 150 satisfied clients.
As the requirements for a business visitor visa are complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that your supporting documentation is compliant with the very latest immigration rules.
Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Face your future knowing you have the dedicated support of one of our expert lawyers.
A standard Business Visitor visa is valid for up to 6 months, if you visit the UK regularly, you can choose to apply for a long-term Business Visitor visa instead, valid for up to 10 years.
Under certain limited circumstances, you may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months for a total of a further 6 months, for example if you are receiving medical treatment.
The refusal of a Business Visit visa application can be challenged by way of Judicial Review in limited circumstances, please contact our team to discuss your refusal in more detail.
The Business Visitor visa is a short term visa, it is not a route to settlement, please contact our team if you would like to discuss ways to settle in the UK.
Family members can apply for their visas at the same time as the main applicant, or after the main applicant's visa has been granted. The dependant's visa will be connected to the main applicant's visa and have the same expiry date.
Business Visitor visas are intentioned as a way of coming to the UK in order to visit and not for permanent stay in the UK, therefore absent of any exceptional circumstances you cannot switch from a Visitor Visa to any other visa in the UK. If you would like to discuss a more long term stay in the UK, please contact our team today.
The UK government believes that family should stay together wherever possible, which is why they offer visas for family members of British citizens or migrants who are settled in the UK. The immigration solicitors at Latitude Law can guide you through the application process and provide legal advice on complex matters, such as past refusals and appeals.
A Skilled Worker visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. It is open to individuals wanting to work in the UK who have been offered an eligible job by an employer with an approved Sponsor Licence.
The UK welcomes highly skilled people from overseas and offers the Global Talent Visa for those endorsed in science, humanities, engineering, medicine, research, digital technology or the arts. Even if you qualify for a Global Talent Visa, previously titled the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa, it can be difficult to apply and succeed without legal support. The Global Talent Visa solicitors at Latitude Law are on hand to guide you through the process of a successful visa application.
