Usual stay
Up to 6 months for most business visits.
Overview
What is a UK Business Visitor Visa?
The UK Business Visitor Visa is part of the Standard Visitor route. It allows an overseas visitor to come to the UK temporarily for permitted unpaid business activity, such as meetings, interviews, conferences, negotiations, certain trade fairs, site visits, inspections and specific intra-corporate activities.
This route is not a substitute for a work visa. The visitor must remain employed overseas, must not take a UK job, and must not provide services to the UK market except where a specific permitted activity applies.
Business visit applications should be structured around the exact activity, the overseas employer or business, the UK host, payment arrangements, duration, travel history and reasons to leave the UK after the trip.
Latest position
What are the current visitor visa rules and fees?
Current 6-month fee
The current Standard Visitor visa fee for up to 6 months is £135. Long-term visitor visas are available for regular business visitors, but each visit must remain temporary.
ETA position
Some business visitors may need an ETA instead of a visa, depending on nationality. The current ETA fee is £20.
Paid experts use a different visitor activity
Experts paid by a UK company for a permitted engagement should be assessed under the permitted paid engagement rules.
No work visa replacement
The route cannot be used to take employment, deliver general UK services or live in the UK through frequent visits.
Key facts
UK Business Visitor Visa: key points before you apply
Common activities
Meetings, conferences, interviews, negotiations, trade fairs, site visits, inspections and certain training.
Employment position
The visitor should normally remain employed or based overseas.
Payment
The route is mainly for unpaid business activity, with paid expert engagements treated separately.
Long-term visas
2, 5 and 10-year visitor visas may suit regular business travellers.
No settlement
Business visits do not lead to ILR or settlement.
Eligibility
Who can qualify for a UK Business Visitor Visa?
A business visitor must be coming to the UK for one or more permitted business activities and must meet the genuine visitor requirements. The visit should be temporary, affordable and supported by credible business evidence.
The applicant should be able to show their overseas employment, business ownership or professional position, the UK organisation or event they are visiting, and why the trip is needed. The evidence should also explain who is paying for travel, accommodation and expenses.
The main risk is activity drift. If the visitor will actually be working for a UK company, selling directly to the public, delivering services to UK clients or filling a UK role, the business visitor route may be unsuitable.
Permitted activities
What business activities are usually permitted?
Meetings and commercial activity
Attending meetings, interviews, conferences, seminars, negotiating and signing deals or contracts, and attending trade fairs to promote an overseas business.
Training and site activity
Receiving work-related training not available overseas, carrying out site visits or inspections, and overseeing delivery of goods or services provided by a UK company to an overseas organisation.
Intra-corporate support
Certain internal training, knowledge-sharing or project activity with UK colleagues can be permitted where the visitor remains employed overseas and the activity fits the rules.
Documents
What documents are usually important for Business Visitor Visa?
The evidence should be tailored to the applicant’s purpose of visit, funds, sponsor support, travel history and reasons to return home. A strong application explains the visit clearly rather than relying on a long but unfocused document bundle.
Business invitation
A UK invitation or meeting letter should confirm the host, activity, dates, purpose and why attendance is needed.
Overseas employer evidence
Employer or business evidence should confirm role, salary or business position, overseas base and reason for travel.
Financial and return evidence
Funds, accommodation, itinerary, return commitments and travel history should support the genuine visitor case.
Request a visitor visa document review
We can review your visitor evidence before the application is prepared and help identify gaps, contradictions and refusal risks.
Request Document ReviewFees
How much does Business Visitor Visa cost?
6-month business visitor visa
£135
For most short business trips.
2-year visitor visa
£506
For regular business visitors with a credible repeat travel pattern.
5-year visitor visa
£903
For frequent business visitors who can meet the requirements over a longer period.
10-year visitor visa
£1,128
For strong repeat visitors, with each stay still normally limited to 6 months.
ETA where applicable
£20
For certain non-visa nationals where an ETA is required instead of a visa.
Visitor extension
£1,172
Only available in limited circumstances and not for ongoing business presence.
Extension
Can this visitor visa be extended?
A business visitor may only be able to extend if they were granted less than 6 months and need to stay up to a total of 6 months. The current extension fee is £1,172.
The business visitor route is not designed for ongoing UK business presence, UK employment or repeated long stays. Regular travellers should plan carefully to avoid looking as if they are living or working in the UK.
Settlement
Does this visitor route lead to ILR or settlement?
A Business Visitor Visa does not lead to ILR or settlement. It is a temporary route for permitted short business activity.
If the UK activity is regular, operational, paid, client-facing or long-term, another route such as Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility, Innovator Founder or sponsor-led planning may need to be considered.
How we help
How Access Global supports Business Visitor Visa applicants
Build a business visitor case around permitted activity and no-work risk
We help business visitors, employers and UK hosts check whether the activity is permitted and prepare evidence that explains the visit clearly without crossing into work route territory.
Process
Business Visitor Visa support pathway
1
Initial consultation
We review the visitor profile, business purpose, UK host, overseas employer and travel history.
2
Activity mapping
We check whether the proposed activity is permitted or whether a work route is needed.
3
Evidence strategy
We identify the invitation, employer, business, funds and return evidence required.
4
Application support
We help structure the application and supporting documents around the permitted business purpose.
5
Outcome planning
We advise on repeat visits, long-term visitor visas, refusal risks and alternative routes where required.
Ask Access Global Immigration Visa Experts to review your visitor visa case
We can assess purpose of visit, permitted activities, financial evidence, sponsor support, home ties, travel history and refusal risks before the application is submitted.
FAQs
Business Visitor Visa FAQs
What is a UK Business Visitor Visa?
It is a Standard Visitor route for temporary unpaid business activities such as meetings, conferences, interviews, negotiations, trade fairs, training, site visits and certain intra-corporate activities.
How long can I stay as a business visitor?
Most business visitors can stay for up to 6 months, but the visit must remain temporary and credible.
Can I work in the UK as a business visitor?
No. A business visitor cannot take UK employment or provide general services in the UK unless a specific permitted activity applies.
Can I attend meetings and sign contracts?
Yes, attending meetings and negotiating or signing deals and contracts can be permitted business visitor activities.
Can I attend a trade fair?
Yes, you may attend a trade fair to promote your business, but direct selling to the public is not permitted.
Can I be paid by a UK company for a business visit?
Not for ordinary business visitor activity. If you are an expert invited for a paid event, the permitted paid engagement rules should be assessed.
What documents should a business visitor prepare?
Important evidence includes a UK invitation, overseas employer letter, business purpose, funding evidence, accommodation details and proof of ties outside the UK.
Can I apply for a 2, 5 or 10-year business visitor visa?
Yes, long-term Standard Visitor visas are available for regular visitors, but each visit must still be temporary and usually no more than 6 months.
Does a business visitor visa lead to ILR?
No. It is a temporary visitor route and does not lead to settlement.
How can Access Global help?
We can review the planned business activity, invitation evidence, employer documents, no-work risk, finances and long-term visitor strategy.