What activities are permitted for business visitors in the UK?

When it comes to conducting business in the UK, it is often necessary for individuals to travel to the country in person. These trips may be for a variety of reasons. However, it is essential to know which activities are permitted for business visitors in the UK, and undertaking substantive and productive work is not permitted as a business visitor.

Business visitors to the UK are allowed to engage in a range of activities related to their work. These activities are subdivided into a number of categories.

The general business activity category encompasses attending meetings and interviews, negotiating and signing deals and contracts and carrying out site visits and inspections, amongst other things.

There are activities an employee of an overseas company can undertake in the UK subsidiary or branch as a visitor, such as advising, trouble-shooting or providing training on a specific internal project.

An employee of an overseas company may also install, repair or service machinery or computer software or hardware where there is a contract with the UK company, and the overseas company is part of that contract.

Certain types of work-related training are also permitted, however, they are quite limited. It is only permissible to visit the UK for training that is not available in the employee’s home country, or where the visitor is the trainer engaged by a UK organisation.

It is important to note that business visitors are not allowed to work for an organisation or business in the UK, be paid in the UK for any activities, establish or run a business as a self-employed person, provide goods and services or undertake a work placement or internship.

The UK visitor rules are not very clear and not easy to navigate. The above is only a snapshot of the activities that are permitted. It is also important for potential business visitors to consider how they might be undertaking the activities allowed – for example, receiving training is permitted in a classroom setting, but not ‘on the job’. We strongly advise for businesses to seek advice from their immigration providers before sending employees to the UK as visitors. Getting this matter wrong can have serious consequences for the employee, the UK business they are visiting and potentially the overseas business as well.

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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