What are the benefits of the new visitor rules for business visitors to the UK?

Since 31 January 2024 the UK has relaxed its Immigration Rules for visitors, expanding activities for business visitors, such as intra-corporate activities, remote working, legal services and research. In addition, the Permitted Paid Engagement visitor route has been merged with the standard visitor route, allowing a prolonged stay of up to six months.

Provisions outlined previously now apply to visa nationals with visitor visa applications made after 31 January 2024, and to non-visa nationals entering the UK as visitors on or after this date. Further enhancements to visitor provisions are expected in 2024, aligning with future international trade deals.

There are key developments for businesses, including the expansion of intra-corporate activities, clarification of remote working policies, broader scope for providing legal services and project-based research for academics. Permitted Paid Engagements (PPE) have been restructured, allowing for a six-month stay, and speakers at conferences are now included as PPE.

Legal service providers coming to the UK should note that activities must meet standard visitor requirements. There is a need for a case-by-case assessment to determine compliance with permitted activities, or to understand whether additional immigration permissions might be necessary.

Academics, scientists and researchers can now conduct research in the UK for a specific project related to their employment abroad. PPEs, including being a conference speaker, have been incorporated into the standard visitor route, allowing for a longer stay of six months.

Non-visa national PPE visitors can use eGates and attend recreational courses for up to 30 days. They should apply caution in timing entries to complete engagements within 30 days and avoiding additional PPEs during the same visit.

Changes for nationals of Gulf states and Jordan include the end of the Electronic Visa Waiver scheme and the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) as of 22 February  2024, at a reduced cost of £10 for two years or until passport expiry. This is a significant decrease from the previous EVW fee of £30 per entry and standard visitor visa fees ranging from £115 to £963 for a ten-year visa.

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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