You need to apply for a ‘Standard Visitor’ visa if you intend to visit the UK for business-related activities and you are a ‘visa national’, e.g. you are from India, Russia, Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Nigeria.

There are certain nationalities that are visa exempt for visit purposes, e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand. Visa exempt nationals can come to the UK to do permitted visitor activities without the need to first apply for a visa from the UK Home Office.

However, when the visa exempt nationals arrive at the UK border, an immigration officer will ask them about the purpose of their visit and may question them further to establish if their planned activities in the UK are permitted under the visitor category.

Permitted business activities:

  • Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews;
  • Give talks or speeches (if non-commercial and non-profit);
  • Negotiate and sign contracts;
  • Attend trade fairs for promotion (no direct selling);
  • Conduct site visits and inspections;
  • Gather information for overseas employment;
  • Be briefed by UK based customers, with work completed outside the UK.

To explore other permitted business activities, please click here.

If you are planning a visit to the UK for business, please contact our solicitors to discuss your visa options.

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