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Business Visit Visa

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

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Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is the Business Visit Visa?

The Business Visit Visa is designed for individuals who intend to come to the UK for the purpose of carrying out permitted, short-term, business activities. This is a popular sub-category of the UK Visitor Visa route, which is suitable for applicants who plan to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.  

This route is not possible for settlement in the UK. Additionally, all visitors must make a separate application even when they are travelling in a group.  

Who can apply for a Business Visit Visa?

Like the other sub-categories under the UK Visitor Visa route, you will be required to set out the main purpose of your trip to the Home Office – in this circumstance, you will need to outline your intentions to conduct business activities in the UK, on a short-term basis. The rules relating to the business requirements category are clearly detailed under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules on the official Gov website – please see below for further information on the kind of requirements to expect.  

It is crucial that you meet these requirements, and you are genuinely seeking entry into the UK for a purpose that is permitted via this business category – you must not undertake any prohibited activities. Such prohibited activities under this route, could include: 

  • Undertaking employment in the UK 
  • Completing work for an organisation or an established UK business 
  • Doing a work placement or internship 
  • Being involved in directly selling to the public 
  • Providing goods and services 

What are the requirements?

To qualify for a business visa, you’ll need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that: 

  • You are a visa national and are seeking entry as a visitor on arrival into the UK. 
  • You are 18 and over. 
  • You can prove that your entry to the UK is for a genuine purpose that is permitted by this business route. 
  • You do not plan to conduct any prohibited activities. 
  • You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit – including maintenance and accommodation costs – without relying on public funds. 
  • At the end of your visit, you intend to leave the UK and return to your country of residence. 
  • You must ensure that your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal. 

 

Additionally, it is crucial that you can prove your purpose to visit the UK under this route is legitimate. It is common for The Home Office to expect your business activities to be linked to your employment outside the UK in some way.  Furthermore, the duration of your business activities must be less than 6 months and prearranged where possible.  

Regarding permitted business activities, holders of the Business Visit Visa may undertake the following business activities, to qualify: 

  • Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews. 
  • Provide one-off or short series of talks/ speeches if these are not organised as commercial events and will not make a profit for the organiser. 
  • Attend trade fairs, for promotional purposes only, provided that the Visitor is not directly selling. 
  • Negotiate and sign deals/ contracts. 
  • Conduct site visits and inspections. 
  • Gather information for their respective employment overseas. 
  • Be briefed on the requirements of a UK based customer, provided that any work for the customer is completed outside of the UK.  

 

After assessing your application and the period of leave which you’ve requested, the Home Office will determine whether it is credible in view of business activities. Please note, that it is not required for the applicant to satisfy an English language requirement.  

What is the Business Visit Visa processing time?

The Business Visit Visa route typically takes 3 weeks to receive a decision, within 3 weeks of attending the visa application centre. The earliest you can apply for a visitor visa under this route is 3 months before you decide to travel.  

How long does a Business Visit Visa last?

The Business Visit Visa is usually granted for a period of up to 6 months. Once the applicant has been approved of this visa route, they may enter and leave the UK multiple times during the validity period of your Visit Visa, unless your Visit Visa is endorsed for a single or dual entry. Your visit must not exceed 6 months. 

However, if you’d like to remain in the UK for longer than a visitor visa would allow, there are other options available to you depending on the type of activity you intend to carry out. For instance, this can include – the Innovator Founder visa and the Global Business Mobility Visa.  

If you are planning to attend a business trip to the UK, it is advised that you submit your application as soon as possible – this is typically allowed between three months and 48 hours before you expect to travel. This is to avoid any delays with your application being processed – it is always best to be early just in case. 

How much does it cost to get a Business Visit Visa?

The current fees for a Business Visit Visa, that involves a short stay of up to 6 months, is £100. If you wish to apply for a Business Visit Visa that is valid for either 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years then the Home office application fee will be £376, £670 or £837 respectively. 

Can my dependants be included as part of my Business Visit Visa?

When it comes to business visas and work visas, our immigration advisors understand that entrepreneurs and skilled migrant workers often will want to bring families with them in the UK. Under this route, the applicant may bring dependents with them into the UK if they qualify.  For instance, to be qualified as a ‘dependent’, it is defined as: 

  • A husband, wife, spouse, civil partner, or partner 
  • Your child if they are under the age of 18. 
  • Your child if they are over the age of 18 but are currently in the UK as a dependent.  

Please note, that a dependent cannot apply for a dependent visa from within the UK if they entered the UK on a visitor visa.  

How can I apply for a Business Visit Visa?

The application process for applying for a Business Visit Visa, involves completing an online application form via the Gov website. There are also other requirements that may be necessary – for instance, you may need to book and attend a biometric appointment to supply your biometric information (e.g., a scan of your fingerprints or a digital photograph of your face).  

As part of your application, you will be required to present a valid passport of travel document, together with evidence of your intended purpose for travelling to the UK. Also, to prove any other additional requirements under this business route.  

If successful, you’ll receive a vignette in your passport which gives you permission to enter the UK. Please ensure that you read the conditions of your visa carefully – with your approved visa, you may travel to the UK on this route, for the purpose of business activities. 

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

Our immigration legal experts can assist applicants from across the globe to secure visas, so that they can carry out short-term business activities here in the UK. Whether you are seeking advice on applying for a Business Visit visa, assistance with preparing an application or legal representation to challenge a decision to refuse an application for a Business Visit Visa, our knowledgeable team can assist.  

We pride ourselves on providing a proactive yet friendly approach to meeting our client’s needs, to ensure that we can confidently meet your expectations. Call us today for more information. 

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.