UK Business Visas
The UK is a great business destination for U.S. citizens. It has a highly skilled workforce and a favorable tax system and is one of the best places to do business globally. If you are a U.S. citizen who wants to start or run a business in the UK, you can apply for different types of UK business visas.
Learn more about choosing the right UK visa for you by calling +1 844 290 6312 or leave us a message in the chat.
Skilled Worker Visa
One option is to work for a UK-based firm by obtaining a Skilled Worker Visas. This visa is for skilled workers who a UK company has sponsored to hire as a foreign worker. The visa is valid for up to five years but the job must meet minimum income thresholds.
You can only apply for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK, so if you’re already in the country under another working visa, you’ll need to leave before applying.
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Global Talent Visa
If you’re a scientist, researcher, or working in a field that the UK government wishes to attract, you may qualify for the Global Talent Visa. This endorsement scheme enables highly skilled workers to come to the UK from outside Europe and work here for five years. To be eligible for this visa, you must:
- Have a job offer from an approved sponsor in the UK
- Be endorsed by a recognized body (such as a university or large employer) who can confirm your skills meet certain standards required by your industry or profession.
If your skills match those listed below, then this could be worth looking into:
- Computer programmers; developers, and database administrators
- Marketing professionals with experience in working on large marketing campaigns
- Financial traders or analysts
UK Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa is a UK business visa that allows experienced entrepreneurs with innovative ideas to enter the UK and start their own businesses.
To qualify, you must have an innovative business idea that is unique and have a genuine market opportunity. You must also have sufficent investment funds available to invest in your new company (with no requirement to repay it). Finally, you’ll need to submit a business plan detailing how you will spend this investment and how your company will generate profit.
UK Start-up Visa
This visa route is no longer accepting applications.
The Start-Up Visa is a UK business visa for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business in the UK. It’s ideal for those who have not previously been business owners but have a scalable business idea for a new venture and the potential to fund it. The Start-Up Visa allows you to live and work in the UK for up to two years while working on your new project, but you can also seek an extension if necessary.
In addition to meeting other UK visa requirements, an authorized body must endorse applicants for a UK Start-Up Visa. This body should either be a UK higher education institution or a business organization that has a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs.
Global Business Mobility Visa
This new visa was launched by the Home Office with the aim to help overseas businesses who are coming to the UK to better establish their professional presence in the country or conduct other business activities. The Global Business Mobility Visa is comprised of 5 categories which are as follows:
- Senior or Specialist Worker Visa. This type of visa allows foreign-owned and operated businesses to send their senior managers and specialist employees to temporarily work in the UK at one of the company’s UK branches, offices, or subsidiaries.
- Graduate Trainee Visa. Under this visa, foreign workers are eligible to come to the UK to take part in a structured graduate training program organized by their foreign employer.
- UK Expansion Worker Visa. This visa allows foreign nationals to come to the UK for the purposes of conducting work that will expand the foreign company’s presence in the UK.
- Secondment Worker Visa. Under a Secondment Worker Visa, foreign workers who are temporarily seconded to the UK by their foreign employer may enter the UK to take part in a high-value contract or investment.
- Service Supplier Visa. Under this visa, foreign nationals are permitted to enter the UK in order to take part in a temporary work assignment as either a contractual service supplier, a self-employed independent professional, or under a requirement to provide services covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements.
What are the financial requirements for a UK Business Visa?
The UK Business Visa requires that you prove your ability to compensate for your trip financially. You’ll need to provide a letter from your bank stating that you have this amount in your account or can access it by using a credit card. If you’re staying with someone who lives in the UK and will be hosting your visit, they can act as a guarantor for your visa application.
With the UK Business Visa, if you’re self-employed, you’ll need to prove that your trip isn’t costing anyone else money or time.
If you’re self-employed and traveling to the UK for business, it’s important to have evidence of your business in your home country. You should also be able to demonstrate that you are financially independent and can support yourself while in the UK.
You’ll also need evidence of having a company or partnership with another person or organization (for example, if you’re going as part of a trade delegation). And finally, if your trip is related to selling products or services, then it’s recommended that your product/service has been established for at least two years before seeking a visa for this purpose (i.e., there must be proof that there is a market demand for what you’re doing).
Can I get a business visa in the UK?
Yes, you can apply for a visa in the UK if you are currently in the UK and are eligible to apply from within the UK. You will need to apply for a ‘leave to remain’ visa.
You may be able to extend or switch to another visa category, enabling you to stay in the UK longer than 6 months (depending on your current status).
If this is not possible, then there is no need for an entry clearance visa as long as you arrive with valid documentation issued by a country outside of the Common Travel Area/Schengen Zone that confirms your right of entry into that country and evidence of sufficient funds or other support arrangements while you are in the UK.
Advice Package
Get clear, expert advice on your visa options, eligibility and application before you commit to applying.
Application Package
Let our immigration lawyers prepare, check and manage your application so you can apply with confidence.
Fast Track Package
Need to apply quickly? Get priority handling by our immigration lawyers from preparation to submission.
Appeal Package
Been refused or received an unfavourable decision? Get expert legal help to challenge it or determine your next step.
The Advice Package
During this Advice Session, an immigration lawyer will assess your circumstances, explain your options and tell you what you need to do to make a strong application.
We review your circumstances, explain the relevant requirements, identify potential problems or refusal risks, and advise you on the evidence and next steps.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will assess your case, prepare your application, check your supporting documents and submit your forms on your behalf.
We check your application for missing information, inconsistencies and potential issues before submission, helping you avoid common mistakes that could affect your case.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package gives your case priority with our immigration lawyers, helping you get your application prepared, checked and submitted as quickly as possible.
Your case receives priority handling, including accelerated document reviews, application preparation, communication with your caseworker and submission support.
The Appeal Package
Our immigration lawyers will review the decision, explain why it was refused and advise on the strongest option available to you, including an appeal, review or fresh application where appropriate.
We will examine the reasons for refusal, identify weaknesses or errors, assess your available options and provide the legal support and representation your case requires.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Business professionals who wish to enter the UK for a short period of stay for business-related purposes may apply for the UK Standard Visitor Visa (formerly the Business Visitor Visa). This visa is valid for up to 6 months and allows foreign nationals to do the following business-related activities:
- Attending meetings, conferences, or seminars
- Conducting interviews within the UK
- Giving a short series of talks and speeches
- Negotiating and signing business deals and contracts
- Attending trade fairs (for promotional work only and if the business visitor is not directly selling anything)
- Visiting sites and carrying out inspections
- Conducting research and gathering information for their employment overseas
- Being briefed on the requirements of a UK based customer (only if any work for the customer is done outside of the UK)
- Carrying out regulatory or financial audits (only as an internal auditor at a UK branch of the same corporate group of companies)
- Advising or consulting on projects
- Providing training and sharing skills and knowledge
Unfortunately, you can no longer apply for the UK Investor Visa as the Home Office ended the UK visa in citing security concerns as the UK Investor Visa “failed to deliver for the UK people and gave opportunities for corrupt elites to access the UK”.
