Visitor Visas and Business Visits

What a visitor can and cannot do

The Standard Visitor visa covers tourism, visiting family and friends, business activities such as meetings, conferences, negotiating contracts and site visits, short courses of study, private medical treatment and certain permitted paid engagements. The rules in Appendix Visitor are detailed and have been relaxed for business: visitors can now work remotely for an overseas employer as an incidental activity, and some intra-corporate activities that previously needed a work visa are permitted.

Visitors cannot take employment in the UK, work for a UK business (beyond the permitted activities), receive payment from a UK source except under the permitted paid engagement rules, live in the UK through frequent or successive visits, marry or register a civil partnership unless they hold a Marriage Visitor visa, or access public funds.

Why visitor visas are refused

• Doubts about intention to leave: weak ties to the home country, unclear employment, unexplained funds or a previous long stay.
• Finances: bank statements showing large unexplained deposits, or sponsorship by a UK host without evidence of the host's means and accommodation.
• Inconsistencies: dates, purpose and itinerary that do not match between the form and the documents.
• Previous refusals or breaches not disclosed or not explained.
• Activities outside the rules, for example a planned course of study longer than 6 months or work for a UK company.

Because there is no right of appeal, a refusal has to be addressed by a fresh application that answers each concern in the refusal notice with evidence. We draft these regularly and know what the entry clearance officers look for.

How we help

1. Assessment

   We confirm the visa or ETA you need, check your planned activities against the rules and identify any risk factors, including previous refusals.

2. Evidence

   A checklist tailored to your purpose of visit, your circumstances at home and your UK host or business contact, with template invitation letters.

3. Application and covering letter

   We complete the form, prepare a clear covering letter explaining the purpose of the visit, your ties and finances, and organise the biometric appointment.

For frequent business travellers we advise on 2, 5 and 10-year long-term visitor visas, and for companies hosting visiting staff we advise on where the visitor rules end and a work visa begins.

Fees and costs

Figures from the Home Office fee table effective 8 October 2026, checked September 2026.

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Frequently asked questions