Business Visitor Visa UK Guide
The line between a permitted business visit and work that requires a visa is not always clear. This guide explains exactly what business activities you can do on a UK Visitor Visa and when you need a work visa instead.
- Section
- Visitor Visa
- Reading time
- 8 min
- Last checked
- 2 September 2026
- Source
- The published Immigration Rules and GOV.UK guidance, linked throughout this guide.
- Rowan does not
- Look at your own case, tell you which route to choose, or say what the Home Office will decide. This guide shows the published rules and where to read them.
In short
- No separate business visa — use the Standard Visitor Visa.
- Meetings, conferences, negotiations, and interviews are permitted.
- You cannot work, be employed, or receive UK-sourced payment.
- Intra-company activities like training and knowledge sharing are allowed within limits.
- If in doubt, check whether you need a Skilled Worker visa instead.
You can do many business activities on a UK Standard Visitor Visa, including attending meetings, conferences, and negotiations. But you cannot work, be employed, or receive payment from a UK company. This guide draws the line between permitted business and activities that need a work visa.
Permitted Business Activities
On a Standard Visitor Visa, you can:
- Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and trade fairs
- Negotiate and sign deals or contracts
- Attend job interviews
- Deliver training related to your overseas employment (if no UK salary is paid)
- Attend board meetings as a director of a UK company (if not employed in the UK)
- Visit a UK branch of your overseas company for briefings
- Inspect sites, meet suppliers, or check on UK operations
What You Cannot Do
- Work for a UK employer. Any employment requires a Skilled Worker visa or other work visa.
- Provide services to clients. Consulting, contracting, or providing professional services to UK clients is work, not a business visit.
- Manage a team day-to-day. If your role requires ongoing presence and management in the UK, this is employment.
- Receive a UK salary. Payment from a UK source for work done in the UK is not permitted.
The key distinction is between business-related activities (meetings, networking, negotiation) and productive work (doing the job itself). If you are unsure, see our work restrictions guide or seek professional advice.
Permitted Paid Engagement
The Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) category allows certain experts to receive payment for short engagements lasting up to 1 month. This includes:
- Examiners and assessors
- Speakers at conferences and events
- Artists and entertainers (for specific events)
- Sports officials
PPE is arranged through an invitation from a UK organisation. Check GOV.UK for the full list of eligible activities.
Documents for a Business Visit
In addition to the standard visitor visa documents, business visitors should provide:
- A letter from your employer explaining the purpose of your visit
- An invitation from the UK company or event organiser
- Details of your itinerary and meetings
- Evidence of your employment and ties to your home country
Business Visit Costs
A business visit uses the Standard Visitor Visa. The fee is £135 for a 6-month visa. Long-term visitor visas cover several visits on one application: £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years, and £1,128 for 10 years. Each visit is still limited to 6 months. See our visitor visa cost guide and UK visa fees guide.
Next Steps
Related guides:
Questions and answers
Can I attend business meetings on a UK Visitor Visa?
Yes. You can attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and interviews on a Standard Visitor Visa. You can also negotiate and sign deals. However, you cannot carry out productive work, be employed, or receive a salary from a UK company.
Do I need a separate business visa for the UK?
No. There is no separate business visa for the UK. Business visits are covered by the Standard Visitor Visa. If you are from a country that does not need a visa to visit the UK, you can attend business meetings without a visa.
Can I receive payment for work done while visiting the UK?
No. You cannot receive payment for work done in the UK on a Visitor Visa. You can receive payment for work done for your overseas employer while you happen to be in the UK (such as checking emails), but you cannot be employed or paid by a UK company.
What is the Permitted Paid Engagement visa?
The Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visa allows experts in specific fields (such as examiners, speakers, or artists) to receive payment for a short engagement in the UK lasting up to 1 month. It is a specific category within the visitor rules.
This guide is general information about published immigration rules. It is not advice about an individual application under s.82 Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and Rowan is not regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority. Immigration rules change several times a year. For advice on a particular situation, contact an adviser authorised by the Immigration Advice Authority or an immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the authoritative current rules.