I was invited to speak at a conference in the UK, do I need a visa?

Business visitors need to be aware of the activities they are permitted to undertake in the UK without requiring a work visa.

If you are a ‘visa national’, you will require a visa before you are able to enter the UK. Alternatively, as a ‘non-visa national’, you are permitted to visit the UK as a standard visitor for tourism, business, study and other permitted activities for up to 6 months. You can find out which category applies to you on the visa national list published by the Home Office.

Although visitors are permitted to conduct some business activities, undertaking substantive work is not permitted. The general business activity category permits attending meetings and interviews, negotiating and signing deals and contracts, and carrying out site visits and inspections, amongst other things.

You are also able to give a one-off or short series of talks, such as acting as a speaker at a conference, as long as it is not for profit or a commercial event. It is important to note that you must not be paid for speaking at the conference or any other activity that you do in the UK whilst on a visitor visa.

Visitors looking to come to the UK for business or commercial activities should seek advice from an immigration provider before travelling to the UK. The permitted business activities are narrowly defined, and failure to comply with the rules may result in serious consequences.

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 Twitter, 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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