Business Visitors

Around 9 million business visitors come to the UK each year and the business they generate is of significant benefit to the UK.

The following are key features of the immigration controls relating to business visitors:

• Six month maximum period of stay (except for academic visitors who can stay for a maximum of twelve months);

• Entry clearance requirement for visa nationals only (except for academic visitors who are non-visa nationals and are visiting for more than six months);

• Availability of multiple entry visas between 6 months and 10 years;

• A requirement of clarity relating to the activities permissible during a short-term business visit;

• Provision for groups engaging in business visitor-like activities but who are technically providing a service (for example couriers of overseas tour companies coming with tour);

• Provision for people who are carrying out activities other than those strictly permissible (for example film crews on location shoots only);

• A need to satisfy standard requirements including financial support without recourse to public funds, intention to leave at the end of the visit and ability to meet costs of return/onward journey.

The new provisions bring the previously separate Immigration Rules and concessions together in a one coherent visa.  They also make a distinction between business visitors and those engaging in longer-term business activities.  Finally, there are new provisions for visiting professors accompanying students on study programmes abroad and visiting religious workers undertaking some preaching or pastoral work in the course of a business visit (for instance while attending a conference).

Visa nationals coming to the UK on business for up to six months must apply for entry clearance under the provisions of the new business visa.  They have to show that they will be carrying out qualifying activities including the following:  attending meetings or conferences;  arranging deals, negotiating or signing trade agreement or contracts;  undertaking fact-finding missions, checking details or goods; and conducting site visits and promotional activities.

Non-visa nationals will not be required to obtain prior entry clearance for a business visit of up to six months.  However, on arrival, they will still be required to show that they will be carrying out qualifying activities.

Business – like activities include:

• Doctors taking the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board (PLAB) test;

• Film crews on location shoots only – including actors, producers, directors and technicians, provided they are employed or paid by an overseas company;

• Representatives of overseas news media - journalists, correspondents and other representatives including producers and cameramen provided they are employed or paid by an overseas company and are gathering information for an overseas publication;

• Persons undertaking a clinical attachment or dental observer post (may be granted entry for 6 weeks at a time up to a maximum of 6 months);

• Academic Visitors (may be granted up to a maximum of 12 months);

• Visiting professors accompanying students undertaking study programmes abroad;

• Secondees from overseas companies who have a contract with a UK company, provided they are being paid by the overseas company.

Business visitors also include the following:

• Persons delivering goods and passengers from abroad provided they are genuinely working an international route;

• Couriers accompanying a tour group provided they are contracted to a firm outside the UK and intend to leave with the tour group;

• Speakers at conferences, provided they are a ‘one-off ’ and the event is not run as a money-making concern;

• Representatives of computer software companies coming to enhance, install or debug their products;

• Representatives of foreign manufacturers coming to service or repair their companies products;

• Representatives of foreign machine manufacturers coming to install and erect machinery;

• Monteurs - working on development of foreign made machinery; and

• Board-level Directors attending board meetings in the United Kingdom.