The business visitor visa UK enables professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors to enter the United Kingdom for meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, and other permitted business activities. Although commonly called a "business visa," it falls under the Standard Visitor Visa category governed by Appendix V of the Immigration Rules. This guide covers the 2026 application requirements, fees, invitation letter templates, and permitted activities—everything you need for a successful UK business trip.
Business Visitor Visa UK 2026: Complete Overview
The UK does not issue a separate "business visa"—instead, business visitors apply for a Standard Visitor Visa and select business-related activities as their purpose of visit. This visa costs £127 for stays up to 6 months and permits activities such as attending meetings, conferences, and training sessions without taking up employment in the UK.
Whether you need a visa or ETA depends on your nationality. Citizens from visa-required countries (listed in Appendix Visitor: Visa National List) must obtain a visa before travel. Non-visa nationals from countries like the USA, EU member states, Canada, and Australia can use the ETA scheme for short business visits, though they must still meet all visitor eligibility requirements at the UK border.
What Is a Business Visitor Visa UK?
A business visitor visa UK is a Standard Visitor Visa used for business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, and training in the United Kingdom. It costs £127 for up to 6 months, allows multiple entries, and prohibits employment or paid work except for specific permitted paid engagements.
The term "business visitor visa" is not a separate immigration category but rather describes the business subcategory of the Standard Visitor Visa. All conditions, eligibility rules, and permitted activities are defined in Appendix V of the Immigration Rules. Whether applying for a visa before departure or seeking entry at the border, the same rules apply.
What Activities Are Permitted on a UK Business Visitor Visa?
Permitted business activities cover tasks that support your overseas role without supplying labour to the UK market. The Immigration Rules specifically allow:
- Meetings and conferences: Attending business meetings, conferences, seminars, and industry events
- Contract negotiations: Negotiating and signing contracts, deal discussions, and business relationship development
- Site visits and inspections: Visiting UK client sites, factories, or facilities for assessment purposes
- Training and briefings: Receiving training or briefings related to your overseas employment (up to 30 days)
- Trade fairs: Attending trade fairs for promotional purposes (not selling goods directly)
- Remote work (incidental): Undertaking activities relating to your overseas employment remotely, such as responding to emails or joining calls, provided this is not the main purpose of your visit
- Job interviews: Attending interviews for UK positions (but you must leave and apply for a work visa if successful)
Business Visitor Visa UK Requirements 2026
To qualify for a UK business visitor visa in 2026, you must demonstrate genuine visitor intent, provide evidence of business purpose (such as an invitation letter), show sufficient funds for your stay, prove ties to your home country, and hold a valid passport. You must also satisfy the Home Office that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit.
The Home Office assesses all business visitor applications against the "genuine visitor" test outlined in paragraph V 4.2 of Appendix V. Decision-makers evaluate whether you will leave the UK, will not live in the UK through successive visits, and are genuinely seeking entry for permitted business activities.
Core Eligibility Requirements
- Valid passport with blank page
- Completed online application form
- Business invitation letter from UK company
- Letter from employer confirming employment and purpose
- Bank statements (3-6 months)
- Flight and hotel bookings
- Conference registration or meeting schedule
- Evidence of ties to home country
For comprehensive document guidance, refer to our UK visa supporting documents checklist.
Business Visitor Visa UK Fees and Processing Time
The UK business visitor visa costs £127 for up to 6 months in 2026. Long-term multi-entry visas are available at £475 (2 years), £848 (5 years), and £1,059 (10 years). Standard processing takes approximately 3 weeks, with priority services available for faster decisions at £500 or £1,000 additional.
UK Business Visitor Visa Fees 2026
For frequent business travellers, a long-term visitor visa offers significant cost savings. The 10-year visa works out to approximately £105.90 per year, compared to £254 per year if applying for a new 6-month visa each time. Each entry on a long-term visa is still limited to a maximum stay of 180 days per visit.
Processing Time and Priority Services
Priority services are not available in all countries, so check availability at your local Visa Application Centre when booking your biometrics appointment. For detailed fee information, see our UK visitor visa fees guide.
Business Visa Invitation Letter UK Template
A UK business visa invitation letter should include the inviting company's details, the visitor's full name and passport number, specific dates of the visit, purpose of meetings, accommodation arrangements, and confirmation of who is covering costs. It must be on official company letterhead and signed by an authorised representative.
The invitation letter is one of the most important supporting documents for a UK business visitor visa application. It serves as formal evidence of the business relationship and the legitimate purpose of your visit. A poorly drafted letter is a common reason for visa refusals.
Sample Business Invitation Letter for UK Visa
[Company Letterhead]
[Date]
To: The Entry Clearance Officer
British High Commission / Embassy
Re: Business Visit Invitation for [Applicant's Full Name]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing on behalf of [Company Name], registered at [Company Address, Company Registration Number], to formally invite [Applicant's Full Name], Passport Number [XXXXXXXX], for business meetings at our UK office.
Purpose of Visit: [Detailed description—e.g., contract negotiations, partnership discussions, product training]
Visit Dates: [Start Date] to [End Date]
Accommodation: [Hotel Name, Address] / Our company will arrange accommodation
Costs: [Specify who covers travel, accommodation, and daily expenses]
[Applicant's Name] is employed as [Job Title] at [Their Company Name] in [Country]. We have maintained a business relationship since [Year] regarding [nature of business relationship].
We confirm that [Applicant's Name] will not undertake any employment during this visit and will return to [Country] upon completion of the business meetings.
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Full Name, Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Contact Number and Email]
Key Elements of a Strong Invitation Letter
- Company letterhead: Official stationery with logo, registered address, and company number
- Specific dates: Exact arrival and departure dates showing temporary nature of visit
- Detailed itinerary: Meeting schedule, activities planned, and locations
- Business relationship: How long you've worked together and nature of collaboration
- Financial arrangements: Clear statement of who pays for travel, accommodation, and expenses
- No-work assurance: Confirmation the visitor will not take up employment
UK Conference Visa: Attending Events and Meetings
There is no separate "UK conference visa"—you apply for a Standard Visitor Visa (£127) to attend conferences, seminars, and business meetings as an unpaid delegate. If you're being paid to speak or present, you need a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visa instead.
Attending conferences, seminars, and industry events in the UK is a permitted activity under the Standard Visitor Visa. However, the rules differ depending on whether you're attending as a delegate or being paid to speak.
Which Visa Do You Need for UK Conferences?
For conference attendance, you'll need your conference registration confirmation, an invitation or acceptance letter from the organisers, and evidence of your professional status. If your employer is sending you, include a letter confirming they will cover expenses and that you remain employed with them during the trip.
Avoiding Business Visitor Visa Refusals
The most common reasons for UK business visa refusals are insufficient documentation, failure to prove business purpose, inadequate financial evidence, and doubts about intent to return. Ensure all documents are consistent, provide a detailed itinerary, and demonstrate strong ties to your home country.
The UK visitor visa has one of the highest refusal rates among immigration categories, largely because applicants underestimate the importance of consistent documentation. Understanding why refusals happen helps you prepare a stronger application. For detailed guidance on dealing with refusals, see our guide on UK visitor visa refusal and chances of success after refusal.
Common Reasons for Refusal and How to Avoid Them
- Insufficient documentation: Provide comprehensive evidence including invitation letters, itinerary, and employer confirmation. Don't assume any document is unnecessary.
- Vague business purpose: Be specific about what meetings you'll attend, with whom, and why. Generic statements like "business meetings" are not enough.
- Inadequate financial proof: Show bank statements covering 3-6 months with clear, regular income. Unexplained large deposits raise red flags.
- Weak ties to home country: Demonstrate employment, property ownership, family commitments, or other reasons you'll return.
- Inconsistencies: Ensure dates, purposes, and details match across all documents. Discrepancies suggest deception.
- Previous immigration issues: Address any past overstays, refusals, or violations directly. Seek professional advice if needed.
- Business visitors apply for a Standard Visitor Visa at £127 for 6 months
- Non-visa nationals need an ETA (£16) from 25 February 2026
- Permitted activities include meetings, conferences, training, and contract negotiations
- Remote work is allowed if it's not the main purpose of your visit
- Long-term visas (2-10 years) save money for frequent business travellers
- Strong invitation letters and consistent documentation are essential for approval
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a business visa in the UK?
The UK does not have a separate "business visa" category. Business visitors apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, which costs £127 for up to 6 months and permits activities like attending meetings, conferences, negotiations, and training. For entrepreneurs wanting to establish a business in the UK, routes like the Innovator Founder visa or Global Talent visa are available.
How much does a UK business visitor visa cost in 2026?
The UK business visitor visa (Standard Visitor Visa) costs £127 for up to 6 months in 2026. Long-term options are available: £475 for 2 years, £848 for 5 years, and £1,059 for 10 years. Non-visa nationals from countries like the USA, EU, Canada, and Australia need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costing £16 instead of a visa, though this becomes mandatory from 25 February 2026.
Can I work in the UK on a business visitor visa?
No, you cannot work for a UK company or take up employment on a business visitor visa. However, you can undertake permitted business activities such as attending meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, and receiving training. Incidental remote work for your overseas employer (like answering emails) is permitted provided it's not the main purpose of your visit. If you need to work, you must apply for a Skilled Worker visa or other appropriate work visa.
Do I need a visa to attend a conference in the UK?
It depends on your nationality. If you're a visa national, you need a Standard Visitor Visa (£127) to attend conferences in the UK. If you're a non-visa national (USA, EU, Canada, Australia, etc.), you'll need an ETA (£16) from 25 February 2026. For paid speaking engagements, you'll need a Permitted Paid Engagement visa instead. Conference registration and an invitation letter from the organisers are essential supporting documents.
How long does UK business visitor visa processing take?
Standard processing for a UK business visitor visa takes approximately 3 weeks after your biometrics appointment. If you need a faster decision, priority services may be available: Priority Service (£500 additional) aims for a decision within 5 working days, while Super Priority Service (£1,000 additional) targets next working day decisions. Priority services are not available in all countries, so check with your local Visa Application Centre.
What should a UK business visa invitation letter include?
A UK business visa invitation letter should include: the inviting company's full details on official letterhead, the visitor's full name and passport number, specific visit dates, detailed purpose of meetings, meeting itinerary and locations, accommodation arrangements, financial responsibility statement (who pays for what), confirmation the visitor won't take up employment, and the signature of an authorised company representative with contact details.
Can I extend my UK business visitor visa?
In most cases, you cannot extend a UK business visitor visa beyond 6 months. Extensions are only granted in exceptional circumstances, such as ongoing medical treatment or academic research. For business purposes, you would typically need to leave the UK and apply for a new visa if additional time is needed. If you're making frequent trips, consider applying for a 2, 5, or 10-year long-term visitor visa.
What if my UK business visitor visa is refused?
If your visa is refused, you'll receive a refusal notice explaining the reasons. There's no appeal right for visitor visa refusals, but you can reapply by addressing the specific issues raised and providing stronger evidence. Alternatively, if you believe the decision was based on incorrect information or misinterpretation, you may be able to pursue a judicial review. Professional immigration advice is recommended before reapplying.