5 questions our clients ask us most
We understand that people need to visit the UK for business trips. But if a business visitor works in the UK without immigration permission, they could be an illegal worker. This could have serious implications for the UK business (including the loss of the sponsor licence and fines) and for the individual (including a restriction from re-entering the UK).
Here are five questions on what business visitors can and cannot do in the UK that our immigration experts are most frequently asked—and their answers. We kept these short and to the point,
so if you need more information or have a more specific question you’d like answered, get in touch.
1. Can I work in the UK on a visitor visa?
No, but certain business activities are allowed. The general idea is that you are supplementing your overseas employment either by coming to the UK for training or meetings and you will return home to your normal day job outside the UK at the end of your trip.
2. Can I work remotely when I am in the UK as a visitor?
You can answer emails and take calls while you are in the UK but this must not be the purpose of your stay.
3. Can I be paid by a UK business if I am come over on a visitor visa?
The starting point is that you should not receive payment from a UK source if you are here as a visitor. Certain payments are allowed, for example you can receive expenses but you should not receive anything that looks like a salary.
4. Do I have to get a visa or can I just come over to the UK?
People from certain countries (known as non-visa nationals) do not need to apply for a visitor visa before they travel to the UK. However, they may face questions on entry to the UK and should be prepared. They will at some point need permission to travel to the UK (which is separate to a visa)—see the ETA scheme. Visa nationals must apply in advance for a visitor visa.
5. As a UK business is there anything I should be doing to support business visits?
You should give the person visiting the UK a letter of invitation setting out exactly what they will be doing when they are in the UK and how long they are staying. You can also explain who will be funding their accommodation and expenses while they are here. Visa nationals will need this letter to support the visa application whereas non visa nationals can simply carry the letter with them in case of questions at the border.
Please reach out to our business immigration team for information on fees and guidance.
