This visa is designed for individuals who are planning to engage in short-term business activities in the UK, without remuneration from a UK source.
A subset of the Standard Visitor route, this visa permits stay in the UK for up to 6 months. It doesn’t provide a pathway to UK settlement, and every individual, even those travelling in groups, must apply separately.
Eligibility Criteria for the Business Short Stay Visa
Before securing a Business Short Stay Visa, ensure you meet the following criteria set by UK Visas & Immigration:
- You’re a visa national. Non-visa nationals can generally seek entry upon arrival at the UK border.
- Your reason for entry aligns with the visitor routes.
- You won’t be involved in prohibited tasks.
- You have enough resources to sustain your stay, without needing employment or public funds.
- You’ll depart from the UK post your visit.
- Prolonged stays or establishing the UK as a primary residence via frequent visits isn’t on your agenda.
- You aren’t subject to general grounds for refusal.
- If necessary, secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation.
These criteria may slightly differ depending on personal circumstances. For expert insight, consult an immigration lawyer.
For queries or detailed discussions regarding the Business Short Stay Visa application, get in touch with our experienced immigration solicitors at Highwood Solicitors on +44 (0) 1206523714 or fill out our enquiry form.
Understanding Visa National
Being a visa national means that, due to nationality, one requires a visa to enter the UK as a visitor. Such individuals must often apply for their visa prior to travelling. The Home Office provides a detailed list of nationalities under this category. There are exceptions; some visa nationals can seek entry upon arrival.
Non-visa nationals, however, can commonly request entry upon arrival. This includes EU citizens, who can enter the UK without a visa. At Highwood Solicitors, we can assist both visa and non-visa nationals in their journey to the UK.
Permitted Business Activities
To be eligible, you need to prove your genuine intent for entry aligns with allowed visitor route activities.
The Home Office typically expects your business tasks to have links to your foreign employment. Such activities should be of short duration, ideally less than 6 months, and be planned in advance.
Examples of permitted activities include attending meetings, negotiating deals, conducting site visits, or gathering data for overseas employment. Ensure you understand the regulations associated with each type of activity.
Requirements for Leaving the UK
Along with the aforementioned criteria, you’ll need to convince the Home Office of your intent to leave the UK after your visit and avoid making it your primary residence.
Various factors like past immigration history, economic background, ties to your resident nation, etc., play a significant role in this assessment.
Financial, Language & Other Essentials
Ensure you have enough funds for the visit without accessing public funds. Such funds should be in a sanctioned financial institution. For the Business Short Stay Visa, there’s no need to meet an English language requirement.
The visa’s validity can range from 6 months to 10 years, with multiple entries allowed. However, every stay should not exceed 6 months.
Business visitors can’t be employed in the UK or receive local payment. Remote work relating to foreign employment is allowed, but the primary intent should align with the visa’s purpose.
The current application fee stands at £100 for a 6-month visa. For longer durations, the fee varies.
Why Choose Highwood Solicitors?
Our team, consisting of expert immigration solicitors, is adept at guiding global business personalities in obtaining UK visas for short-term business activities.
Whether you require guidance, application assistance, or representation against a refused application, we are here to help.
Our commitment is to offer reliable immigration counsel as a part of our professional and friendly service.