What am I permitted to do in the UK as a visitor?

The UK visitor category allows individuals to come to the UK for certain narrowly defined activities. Especially 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 be required to apply for a Visitor visa before you can travel to the UK. The Home Office provides a visa national list, where you can find out if you require a visa before your trip to the UK. All other nationals, such as those from the USA, Australia and the EU, for example, can come to the UK without having to first apply for a Visitor visa, though all of the visitor immigration rules also apply to them.

Generally, as a visitor, you can enter the UK for:

·         Tourism;

·         Visiting family/friends;

·         Business;

·         Receiving private medical treatment;

·         Short-term study;

·         Entering into a marriage or civil partnership in the UK; and

·         Transiting.

If you are coming to the UK to conduct business, it is essential to know which activities are permitted for business visitors in the UK, as undertaking substantive and productive work is not permitted.

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

Depending on the type of business you are conducting, or the type of company you are employed by, you may also be permitted to undertake more technical activities, such as repairing and installing machinery, and participate in certain types of training.

It is important to remember that as a business visitor you are not allowed to work for a UK entity, be paid in the UK for any activity, establish a business as a self-employed person, provide goods and services or undertake work experience.

Business visitors should consider how they might be undertaking the activities allowed and seek advice from immigration providers to establish whether the business visitor category is suitable for their trip, or if they might need to apply for a work visa before they travel (this applies to visa as well as non-visa nationals).

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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