Understanding UK visitor visa permitted activities is essential for anyone planning to visit the United Kingdom. The Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities defines exactly what Standard Visitors can and cannot do during their stay. From tourism and business meetings to sports events and medical treatment, this comprehensive guide covers all 19 categories of activities allowed under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules, helping visitors maintain compliance and avoid visa cancellation.
Understanding UK Visitor Visa Permitted Activities in 2026
The UK Immigration Rules establish a comprehensive framework governing what visitors can legally do during their stay. Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities contains the official list of activities that Standard Visitors, Marriage Visitors, Transit Visitors, and Diplomatic Visa Arrangement Visitors may undertake. Understanding these rules is crucial because engaging in prohibited activities can result in visa cancellation, removal from the UK, and future entry bans.
The permitted activities are organized into clear categories that reflect the diverse reasons people visit the UK. Whether applying for a Standard Visitor Visa for tourism, attending business meetings, participating in sports events, or receiving private medical treatment, each activity must fall within the scope defined by the Immigration Rules. The fundamental principle is that visitors must not work, study long-term, or access public funds during their stay.
What Are UK Visitor Visa Permitted Activities?
UK visitor visa permitted activities are the specific actions visitors can legally undertake during their stay, as defined in Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities of the Immigration Rules. These cover 19 categories including tourism, business meetings, sports events, creative performances, medical treatment, and short-term study up to 6 months.
The Immigration Rules at Appendix V: Visitor establish the legal framework for all visitor categories entering the UK. Paragraph V 17.1 states that visitor visas are granted subject to specific conditions, including "no work" - however, this prohibition does not apply to the permitted activities listed in Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities or the Permit Free Festival List.
Which Visitor Types Can Do Which Activities?
Not all visitor categories have access to the same permitted activities. The table below summarizes what each visitor type can and cannot do under the Immigration Rules:
Tourism, Leisure & Volunteering Activities (PA 2-3)
Tourism and leisure permitted activities include visiting friends and family, taking holidays, participating in educational exchanges with UK schools, and attending recreational courses (excluding English Language training) for up to 30 days. Volunteering is permitted for up to 30 days with registered charities only.
The most common reason for visiting the UK falls under PA 2 (Tourism and Leisure). Visitors can explore the UK's historic landmarks, cultural attractions, and natural beauty while visiting family members or friends. The UK multiple entry visa allows visitors to make repeated trips for tourism purposes, with each stay limited to 6 months maximum.
What Tourism Activities Are Permitted on a UK Visitor Visa?
- Visit friends and family: Stay with relatives or friends, attend family events such as weddings and graduations
- Holiday and tourism: Sightseeing, exploring cultural venues, visiting museums, galleries, and historic sites
- Educational exchanges: Participate in exchange visits with state-funded schools, academies, or independent schools
- Recreational courses: Attend non-English language courses such as pottery, photography, or cooking for up to 30 days
Can I Volunteer on a UK Visitor Visa?
Yes, PA 3 permits volunteering for up to 30 days total during a visit, but only with charities registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, or the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Volunteering with unregistered organizations or for longer than 30 days would breach visa conditions.
Business Permitted Activities for UK Visitors (PA 4-12)
Business permitted activities cover attending meetings, conferences, and seminars; negotiating and signing contracts; site visits; intra-corporate work with UK colleagues; delivering training; receiving work-related training; and providing legal services. Remote working for an overseas employer is permitted if it is not the primary purpose of the visit.
The UK Business Visitor Visa allows professionals to undertake a wide range of business activities under PA 4-12 of Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities. These provisions enable international business operations while ensuring visitors do not take employment that should go to UK workers.
What General Business Activities Are Permitted? (PA 4)
PA 4 sets out the core business activities that all Standard Visitors may undertake:
- Meetings and conferences: Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and interviews
- Talks and speeches: Give one-off or short series of talks (not commercial events generating profit)
- Negotiate and sign contracts: Negotiate deals and sign business agreements
- Trade fairs: Attend for promotional work only (no direct selling)
- Site visits and inspections: Carry out site visits to assess operations or facilities
- Information gathering: Gather information for overseas employment
- Client briefings: Be briefed on UK customer requirements (work must be done outside UK)
- Remote working: Work remotely for overseas employer if not the primary visit purpose
Can I Work Remotely on a UK Visitor Visa?
Yes, PA 4(h) permits visitors to undertake activities relating to their employment overseas remotely from within the UK, provided this is not the primary purpose of the visit. If remote work becomes your main reason for being in the UK, you would need a work visa such as the Skilled Worker or Global Talent route.
The 2024 Immigration Rules changes clarified that remote working is permitted for visitors, addressing a common question about digital nomads and business travelers who need to check emails or attend virtual meetings while visiting the UK for tourism or family purposes. However, the primary purpose test remains crucial - if your main intention is to work from the UK, you require a different visa category.
Intra-Corporate Activities and Client-Facing Work (PA 5-6)
Employees of overseas companies can advise, consult, troubleshoot, provide training, and share skills with UK colleagues within the same corporate group. Under PA 5.2, client-facing activities are now permitted if they are incidental to overseas employment and required for a project delivered by the UK branch (not directly by the overseas employer). Internal auditors may also conduct regulatory or financial audits at UK branches of their corporate group.
Science, Academia and Research (PA 11)
Academics, scientists, and researchers can participate in formal exchange arrangements, collaborate with UK counterparts, conduct independent research, and gather facts for specific projects relating to their overseas employment. Eminent senior doctors or dentists may engage in research, teaching, or clinical practice, provided this does not amount to filling a permanent teaching position.
Sports, Creative Work & Medical Treatment (PA 13-17)
Visitors can participate in sports tournaments, creative performances, and permit-free festivals. Religious workers may preach and do pastoral work. Medical visitors can receive private treatment or act as organ donors. Standard Visitors can study for up to 6 months under PA 17, subject to specific requirements in Appendix V.
What Sports Activities Can Visitors Undertake? (PA 15)
Sports persons can participate in tournaments and events (individually or as part of a team), make personal appearances, take part in promotional activities, participate in trials (not before paying audiences), undergo short training periods (not paid by UK sporting bodies), and join amateur teams or clubs to gain experience. Personal and technical staff may accompany sports persons to the same events.
- Sports tournaments: Compete in events as individuals or team members
- Promotional activities: Personal appearances and promotional work
- Trials: Participate in trials not before paying audiences
- Training: Short periods of unpaid training
- Amateur experience: Join amateur teams to gain experience in a sport
Creative and Entertainment Activities (PA 13-14)
Religious workers may visit to preach or undertake pastoral work under PA 13. Artists, entertainers, and musicians can give performances, take part in competitions and auditions, make personal appearances, and participate in cultural events listed on the Permit Free Festival List. Film crews employed by overseas companies may participate in location shoots for productions financed and produced overseas.
Can I Receive Medical Treatment on a UK Visitor Visa?
Yes, PA 16.1 permits visitors to receive private medical treatment, provided they meet the additional requirements at V 7.1 to V 7.3 of Appendix V. Visitors may also act as organ donors or be assessed as potential donors to identified UK recipients under PA 16.2, subject to requirements V 8.1 to V 8.4.
Medical visitors must demonstrate they have arranged private treatment, can pay for it, and that it will be completed within their permitted stay. NHS treatment is generally not available to visitors except in emergencies. The Immigration Health Surcharge does not apply to visitors, but this also means they cannot access NHS services free of charge.
Study as a Visitor (PA 17)
Standard Visitors may study for up to 6 months under PA 17, provided they meet requirements V 9.1 to V 9.5. This allows visitors to take short courses, attend English language schools, or pursue other studies without obtaining a Student visa. However, Marriage/Civil Partnership Visitors and DVA Visitors cannot study under this provision. For longer courses or degree-level study, applicants must apply through the Student visa route.
- Must be completed within 30 days of entry
- Requires invitation and fee confirmation in advance
- Limited to specific activities in V 13.3
- Apply for PPE visa or declare at border (non-visa nationals)
Prohibited Activities & Compliance Requirements
Visitors are prohibited from taking employment, doing work for UK organizations, establishing businesses, providing goods or services, or accessing public funds. Permitted activities must not amount to employment or filling a role, even temporarily. Breaching these conditions can result in visa cancellation, removal, and future entry bans of up to 10 years.
The Immigration Rules at Appendix V paragraphs V 4.4 and V 4.5 establish clear prohibitions that all visitors must observe. Even when engaging in permitted activities, visitors must ensure their actions do not cross the line into prohibited work.
What Activities Are Prohibited on a UK Visitor Visa?
Immigration officers at UK borders assess whether visitors' declared purposes align with the permitted activities. If there is evidence or suspicion that a visitor intends to undertake prohibited work, entry will be refused and the visa may be cancelled at port. Home Office caseworkers apply the "balance of probabilities" test when evaluating applications and evidence.
Consequences of Breaching Visitor Visa Conditions
The consequences of engaging in prohibited activities can be severe and long-lasting:
- Visa cancellation: Visa can be cancelled at the border or during stay if breach is discovered
- Removal from UK: Immigration enforcement may detain and remove individuals found working illegally
- Re-entry bans: Bans ranging from 12 months to 10 years depending on the circumstances
- Future visa refusals: Deception or breach recorded on immigration history affects all future applications
- Criminal prosecution: In serious cases, illegal working can result in criminal charges
- All visitor activities must fall within Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities categories PA 1-19
- Permitted activities must not amount to employment or filling a role, even temporarily
- Remote working is allowed only if it is not the primary purpose of the visit
- 30-day limits apply to volunteering, recreational courses, and permitted paid engagements
- Study up to 6 months is permitted for Standard Visitors under PA 17 with specific requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the permitted activities for UK visitor visa holders in 2026?
UK visitor visa permitted activities are defined in Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities (PA 1-19) of the Immigration Rules. These include tourism and leisure, volunteering (up to 30 days), general business activities like meetings and conferences, intra-corporate work, manufacture and supply services, work-related training, academic research, legal services, religious work, creative performances, sports events, private medical treatment, organ donation, study (up to 6 months), transit, and permitted paid engagements (within 30 days).
Can I work remotely on a UK visitor visa?
Yes, PA 4(h) of Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities allows visitors to undertake activities relating to their employment overseas remotely from within the UK, provided this is not the primary purpose of the visit. If remote work becomes your main reason for being in the UK, you would need a work visa such as Skilled Worker or Global Talent. The key test is whether your primary purpose is a permitted visitor activity like tourism or family visits.
What business activities can I do on a Standard Visitor visa?
Standard Visitors can attend meetings, conferences, seminars, and interviews; give one-off talks and speeches (not commercial); negotiate and sign contracts; attend trade fairs for promotion only; carry out site visits; gather information for overseas employment; be briefed on UK customer requirements; and work remotely for overseas employers. However, these activities must not amount to employment or filling a role in a UK organization.
What is Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities in UK Immigration Rules?
Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities is the official Immigration Rules document that lists all activities Standard Visitors, Marriage/Civil Partnership Visitors, Transit Visitors, and Diplomatic Visa Arrangement Visitors may legally undertake in the UK. It contains paragraphs PA 1 through PA 19 covering tourism, volunteering, business, intra-corporate work, training, academics, legal services, religion, creative work, sports, medical treatment, study, transit, and paid engagements.
Can I study on a UK visitor visa?
Standard Visitors can study for up to 6 months under PA 17, provided they meet requirements V 9.1 to V 9.5 of Appendix V. This includes English language courses and short courses. Recreational courses (excluding English) are limited to 30 days under PA 2(c). Marriage/Civil Partnership Visitors and Diplomatic Visa Arrangement Visitors cannot study. For longer courses or degree-level study, you need a Student visa.
What happens if I breach permitted activities on my UK visitor visa?
Breaching visitor visa conditions by engaging in prohibited activities can result in visa cancellation at the border or during your stay, removal from the UK, re-entry bans ranging from 12 months to 10 years, and negative impact on all future visa applications. In serious cases involving illegal working, criminal prosecution may follow. Immigration officers assess whether activities align with permitted purposes, and any suspicion of prohibited work can trigger these consequences.
Can I volunteer on a UK visitor visa?
Yes, PA 3 permits volunteering for up to 30 days total during a visit, but only with charities registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, or the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator. Volunteering with unregistered organizations, for longer than 30 days, or in a way that amounts to filling a role would breach visa conditions.
What is a permitted paid engagement (PPE) visa?
A permitted paid engagement allows visitors to receive payment for specific professional activities listed in V 13.3 of Appendix V, including examining, giving lectures at higher education institutions, or providing arts or entertainment at a cultural event. These must be completed within 30 days of entry. Visa nationals need a PPE visa, while non-visa nationals can declare their purpose at the border. Requirements include an invitation letter confirming the fee arrangement before arrival.