UK Business Visas: Short-Term and Long-Term Explained

The UK is a global business hub. If you're a business owner looking to expand your operations to the UK, you'll need to obtain a UK business visa.

There are two main types of UK business visas:

• Short-term UK business visas
• Long-term UK business Visas

Short-Term Business Visas

A short-term business visa allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months for business purposes. This visa is ideal if you are attending meetings, conferences, or training sessions. You cannot work for a UK company or receive payment from a UK source on a short-term business visa.

The Standard Visitor Visa is the most common type of short-term business visa.

To qualify for a Standard Visitor Visa, you must demonstrate that you are a genuine visitor and that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit. You must also provide evidence that you can support yourself financially during your stay.

The UK Business Visitor Visa is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor Visa.

Permitted business activities under a Standard Visitor Visa include:

• Attending interviews, meetings, conferences, and seminars
• Negotiating and signing deals and contracts
• Attending trade fairs to promote your business (selling is prohibited)
• Carrying out site visits and inspections
• Receiving work-related training unavailable in your home country
• Delivering training or sharing knowledge on internal projects with UK employees of your overseas company
• Installing, dismantling, repairing, servicing or advising on equipment, computer software and hardware, if your overseas company has a contract with a UK company or organisation

Long-Term Business Visas

If you are looking to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months to establish or run your business, you will need to apply for a long-term business visa.

The most common types of long-term business visas include:

• UK Global Talent Visa
• UK Innovator Founder Visa
• UK Self-Sponsorship Visa
• UK Expansion Worker Visa

Global Talent Visa

The Global Talent Visa is for leaders or potential leaders in fields such as digital technology, arts and culture, or academia. This visa is granted for up to 5 years and provides a route to permanent settlement.

Innovator Founder Visa

The Innovator Founder Visa is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish an innovative business in the UK. You will need to have your business idea endorsed by an approved body and provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to launch and develop your business. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 3 years and can lead to settlement.

Key points of the Innovator Founder Visa:

• You cannot join a business that is already trading in the UK.
• You can start multiple businesses.
• You can work for someone else in a role on the eligible occupation list.
• You can work as a director or employee of your business.
• You can bring your dependents with you.

Self-Sponsorship Visa

The Self-Sponsorship Visa enables you to set up and run your own business in the UK by applying for a sponsor licence and sponsoring yourself on a Skilled Worker Visa.

Benefits of the Self-Sponsorship Visa:

• Lead to permanent residency
• No minimum investment required
• No job creation requirement
• Bring spouse, partner, and children under 18
• Applicable to any business type

To apply for a Self-Sponsorship Visa, you will need to first set up a UK company. Once your company is registered, you can apply for a sponsor licence. If your sponsor licence is approved, you can assign yourself a Certificate of Sponsorship and apply for a Skilled Worker Visa. This visa allows you to work and reside in the UK to run your business.

UK Expansion Worker Visa

The UK Expansion Worker Visa is for businesses looking to expand their overseas operations to the UK by setting up their first UK branch or subsidiary.

Eligibility for UK Expansion Worker Visa:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must be working for the linked overseas business
• The overseas business must not have begun trading in the UK

This visa is granted for 12 months and can be extended for a maximum stay of 2 years. The UK Expansion Worker Visa does not provide a pathway to settlement in the UK.

Choosing the Right UK Business Visa

Choosing the right visa can be complex. It depends on your specific business goals, how long you want to stay in the UK, and your personal circumstances. It is important to seek professional advice from an immigration lawyer to ensure you are applying for the correct visa. A UK business immigration lawyer can guide you through the process, ensure your application is strong, and increase your chances of success.