Can visitors attend training in the UK?

The UK attracts professionals from all around the world for conferences and training. If you are looking to attend training in the UK, it is important to ensure that you have the correct visa.

What is a Visit visa?

It is a short-term visa, which permits visits to the UK of generally up to six months at a time. Whilst the UK used to have different Visit visa categories depending on the purpose of the visit, these have now all merged, and visitors apply for a single ‘Standard’ Visit visa (with the exception of individuals entering for the purpose of getting married).

What are the requirements?

The Visit visa allows you to undertake certain business-related activities in the UK, including training, within certain limits. In order to attend training in compliance with the Immigration Rules, you must satisfy the following requirements:

1. The training must be work-related.
2. You must be employed overseas.
3. The training is not available in your home country.

Examples of permitted training include:

• Attending short-term courses provided by a UK organisation relating to work practices or techniques in order to learn about internal company processes.
• Attending product training essential to your overseas role.

Overseas graduates from medical, dental or nursing schools may be able to attend training courses in the UK without the need to be employed overseas, to undertake unpaid experience which does not involve treating patients, or to take certain assessments.

Conclusion

Attending training as a business visitor is possible in circumstances where the training is directly relevant to your overseas employment, and you are able to provide the necessary documents.

If you are unsure about the documentation requirements or do not know whether the training you want to attend falls under the category of permitted training, our experts are happy to advise you. You may have to apply for a different visa if the training you are planning to attend does not meet the requirements.

Updated: 13 March 2025

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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