UK Business Visa from Philippines
Filipino citizens who want to set up a new business or expand an existing one can apply for the Business Visa UK. However, they need to meet the eligibility criteria for the visa.
Do you need more information about the UK Business visa, including details about eligibility, documents required, Business visa UK cost and application process? Call Total Law’s immigration specialist team at +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online. We are available to offer immigration advice tailored to your situation.
Who Needs a UK Business Visa?
If you want to set up a new business or open a branch of an existing business in the UK, you’ll need a UK Business visa. The type of Business visa you need to apply for depends on your intended length of stay and what you want to do with the Business visa.
You’ll generally need to prove to the Home Office that your business idea is innovative and can contribute positively to the UK economy. Filipino citizens who want to apply for a UK visa must first choose an appropriate visa type.
Types of UK Business Visas
As a Filipino citizen, below are the UK Business visa types you can apply for:
Business Visitor Visa
The Business Visitor visa permits Filipino citizens to stay in the UK for up to 6 months doing business activities. On this visa, you can:
- Attend a business conference or meeting
- Attend business trade fairs
- Meet with clients and customers to negotiate and sign contracts
- Carry out business surveys
- Participate in business training
- Oversee logistics and supply of goods from the UK to the Philippines
- Train people in your field of expertise
- Offer service to a UK company in business with your company in the Philippines
It is necessary to note that you are not permitted to do any activity that can earn you money while in the UK since this visa is a type of a Standard Visitor visa.
Innovator Founder Visa
Filipino citizens who want a long-term business visa can apply for the Innovator Founder visa. If you apply for this visa, you must prove to the Home Office that your business idea is innovative, viable and scalable. Your business idea will be assessed and approved by an eligible endorsing body before you can apply for this visa.
With the Innovator Founder visa, you can do business in the UK for 3 years. Afterwards, you can renew or get permanent residence. You must give a progress report of your business to the body that endorsed you every 12 months.
Global Talent Visa
Filipino leaders, talents, promising talents or potential leaders can apply for the Global Talent visa. To apply for this visa, your area of expertise must be research and academia, digital technology or arts and culture. Like the Innovator Founder visa, you’ll need approval from an eligible endorsing body in the UK.
Filipino citizens who have won an eligible award can apply for this visa without the endorsement. You can spend up to 5 years in the UK on this visa. Afterwards, you can extend your stay and obtain permanent residence in the UK.
Global Business Mobility Scheme (UK Expansion Worker)
Filipino citizens can move to the UK to start a branch of a business already running in the Philippines. Only senior managers and specialist employees of the Philippine company can apply for this visa. The UK Expansion Worker visa is valid for 12 months. It can also be renewed for another 12 months. You cannot spend more than 2 years on this visa.
UK Business Visa Application Process
Here are the steps to applying for a UK Business visa:
- Confirm the type of Business visa you need
- Gather your supporting documents
- Obtain an endorsement letter, a certificate of sponsorship or win an eligible award
- Pay the visa application fee
- Make your application online. You can do so at the relevant portal on the website of the Home Office
- Schedule an appointment with the VFS Global visa application center at Hofstraat 1, PPS Building, 3rd Floor, Paramaribo, Suriname
- Go for your appointment. The officers will collect your passport, photo and fingerprints there and transmit them to the UKVI
- Wait for a decision to be made on your application
UK Business Visa Requirements from Philippines
See the requirements for Business Visa UK below.
Note that each Business visa has its specific requirements:
Business Visitor Visa
- You must prove you intend to return to the Philippines when your visa expires
- You’ll need to show you have enough money to cover your living expenses in the UK
- You must show you can pay your fare to and from the UK
- You must prove you don’t intend to make the UK your permanent home through successive visits
- You must prove you don’t intend to do any paid work in the UK
Innovator Founder Visa
- You have to be at least 18 to apply
- You’ll need to show you have a minimum savings of £1,270 to cater to your daily living expenses
- You need to show the endorsing money your funds for the business and its source
- You must show that you can understand the English language
- You must prove you have a novel, scalable, viable, innovative business idea
- You’ll need to show that an endorsing body has approved your business idea
Global Talent Visa
- You’ll provide an endorsement letter
- You have to be at least 18 to apply
- You’ll need to prove you won an eligible award if you don’t have an endorsement letter
Global Business Mobility Visa (UK Expansion Worker)
- You’ll need to show a certificate of sponsorship from the UK based company
- You’ll have to prove you have been working for the business branch in the Philippines for a minimum of 12 months. You are exempt if you are paid £73,900
- Your salary must be £48,500 or more
- Your job role must be on the occupations list approved by the Home Office
UK Business Visa Application Fees
See the UK Business visa fees below:
- You’ll pay £127 for the Business Visitor visa
- You’ll pay £319 for the UK Expansion Worker visa
- You’ll pay £205 for the Global Talent visa
- You’ll pay £1,274 for the Innovator Founder visa
Aside from the Business Visitor visa, you’ll need to pay a healthcare surcharge of £1035 yearly when applying for the UK business visa.
Sponsor Employees from Overseas
If you eventually set up a business in the UK, you can freely employ UK employees. However, if you want to hire overseas staff, you must sponsor their work visa application. You can only do this if you have a valid sponsor license.
Before the Home Office can approve your sponsor license, you’ll need to show that you have not been convicted of a criminal offense and have proper systems to manage sponsored workers. You can apply for a worker or temporary worker license, depending on the needs of your business.
How Can Total Law Help?
Setting up a business in a foreign country can be challenging. This is due to the many documentation and bureaucratic challenges that one may face while doing so. In addition, applying for UK visas can also be a tedious process. This has discouraged many from even trying. However, this should not discourage you.
Do you have a viable business idea that you want to start in the UK? You can speak to any of our immigration attorneys at Total Law. They can give you bespoke advice on your business idea. Our team can assess your eligibility for the visa, estimate what it would cost you, gather supporting documents and even make the application for you.
We have a track record of visa success with Filipino citizens who trusted us with their UK visa application, and we can replicate that success for you, too. For more information about what we do and how we can help your application, call +44 (0)333 305 9375 or send a message online.
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