If you are visiting
the UK for business purposes, such as attending a meeting or a conference,
or you want to start a business in the UK, you may need a business visa to do
so.EEA (European Economic Area) nationals do not need a visa to start a
business in the UK. If you are from outside the EEA, you will need a visa to
start a business in the UK, and you must ensure you fit the criteria and supply
the relevant documents. There are various visas available and the one you opt
for will depend on your circumstances and your reasons for looking to obtain a
visa.
When to Apply
It is important to ensure you get your visa organized before you travel. You can apply for your visa in advance, up to 3 months prior to your visit and it may take a few weeks to be processed, so the earlier the better. The documents you require will depend on the purpose of your visit to the UK, your individual circumstances and the duration of your business visa. Your local embassy or consulate will be able to provide more detailed information on the most relevant business visa to suit your circumstances.
Types of Business Visas
The UK visa type for business travel is the Standard Visitor Visa, which was previously known as the Business Visitor Visa. The options available for these business visas are the Standard Visitor Visa, which lasts 6 months, and the long-term Standard Visitor Visa which lasts up to 10 years. Your choice will depend on your individual circumstances. With the long-term Standard Visitor visa, you are only able to stay for 6 months at a time, but you can choose the number of years this will apply, up to 10 years. You can apply to extend your visa, if you decide to stay for a longer term, although you would be required to do this while you are in the UK.
Start-Up Visa
There are also other options for
those who want to start up a business in the UK. The start-up visa is for those
who wish to set up a business
in the UK and reside outside the EEA and Switzerland. There are other
eligibility criteria for the start-up visa, including endorsement from an
authorised body and evidence to show that your business is viable. You should
speak to the relevant authorities to ensure you are fulfilling the requirements
before you apply.
Innovator Visa
The innovator visa is another
option for those who are experienced and looking to establish the business. In
order to be able to meet the criteria for this visa, you must have endorsement
by a sponsor and £50,000 investment. It is essential that you fit the criteria
and can provide evidence to support this.
Tier 1 Investor Visa
Another option for a business visa
is the Tier
1 investor visa, which allows for the investment of £2,000,0000 in UK
government bonds or share capital/loan capital in UK registered companies. With
the Tier 1 investor visa, you canwork, study or be
involved in business activities. In order to be eligible for this visa, you must
want to invest at least £2,000,000 in the UK, you must be outside EEA and
Switzerland and be at least 16 years old. You will need various pieces of
documentation to show you meet these requirements.
Tier 1 Exceptional Talent
Exceptionally talented individuals
from outside the EEA are able to gain entry to the UK on a Tier
1 Exceptional Talent visa. This only applies to
individuals in science, tech and digital, arts, engineering and humanities. You
must be self-employed or work for an employer in these sectors. There are
various requirements to this visa, and you must be able to provide evidence to
show that you meet these, including a proven track record.
Tier 2 Visa
If you are looking to enter the UK
and work to fill a temporary gap in the market, you may be eligible for a Tier
2 visa. This visa can be quite complex, as you must have a Certificate of
Sponsorship to be eligible for this and score 70 points in the points-based
system.
Documents Required
Any of these visas will require you to be able to submit specific
documents. You will need a passport, and you may require other documents,
including bank statements, proof of earnings, proof of employment, evidence to
support your case for a business visa – for example, confirmation of business
meetings, funding etc.
Applying for Visa
You can apply for your visa online and then you will be required to
attend a visa application centre within your local area, where you will provide
your documentation. It is important to check your eligibility before you get
started and prepare the necessary paperwork. You will need to fill out dates on
the paperwork, including travel dates, dates at address and previous addresses
(if applicable), as well as any financial and employment information. There
will be a fee attached to applying for a visa, and you may also need to have a
specific value of funds in your account. It is important to check what is
required before you apply, as the rules differ, depending on the duration of
the visa. A long-termStandard Visitor Visa is £798, but you may need extra
funds in your account if you are looking to set up a business in the UK. It is
worth ensuring you apply well in advance of your trip, as the required
information can vary from one person to another, and it may take a few weeks
before it is completed. In some cases, additional information may be required
which could potentially hold up the process.
Setting up a new
business in another country can be both exciting and daunting at the same time.
If you ensure you have the right visa well in advance of travelling to the UK,
it will make the whole process a lot easier.