Standard Visitor visa
Visa nationals must normally apply online before travel, attend a visa application centre appointment and provide identity and supporting evidence.
Read the official application processThe UK does not issue a separate general business visa for short visits. Eligible meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, trade fairs and site inspections normally fall under the Standard Visitor route. Depending on nationality and existing UK permission, the traveller may need a Standard Visitor visa, an ETA or neither before travel.
First confirm that the planned activity fits the Visitor rules. Nationality, immigration status and the passport used for travel then determine what permission or travel authorisation is needed before departure.
Visa nationals must normally apply online before travel, attend a visa application centre appointment and provide identity and supporting evidence.
Read the official application processMany non-visa nationals need an ETA before travel. It is digitally linked to the passport and does not expand the activities allowed under the Visitor rules.
Check the official ETA guidanceSome travellers need neither, including people who already hold qualifying UK permission. They must still meet the Visitor rules and may need to explain the trip at the border.
Use the official visa checkerThe trip must match an expressly permitted activity. The actual work, the overseas employment relationship, who benefits and who pays the traveller all matter.
After-sales services, client-facing intra-corporate work, overseas lawyers, researchers, film crews, market analysts and permitted paid engagements have specific conditions. A permitted paid engagement is not a general exception for paid client work.
Before work begins, the written scope should distinguish practical application support from regulated immigration advice and from decisions controlled by UK authorities.
The agreed scope may cover organising the trip brief, coordinating documents, identifying inconsistencies and arranging eligible translations. The exact deliverables should be confirmed in writing before work starts.
Personal route advice, legal case assessment and representation must be handled by an IAA-registered adviser or another authorised legal professional. The regulated provider and engagement scope should be identified before that work begins.
UKVI and Border Force control visa, ETA, admission and border decisions. No consultant, host organisation, invitation letter or supporting document can guarantee approval or entry.
The exact route changes according to whether the traveller needs a visa, an ETA or no prior permission. Activity and evidence planning should come before any application.
Record the purpose, dates, UK organisations, locations, funding and every planned activity.
Compare the actual work with the general, intra-corporate or specialist permitted-activity provisions.
Use the official checker to confirm whether a Standard Visitor visa, ETA or neither is required.
Align the invitation, overseas role, finances, itinerary, accommodation and return plans.
Complete the relevant online process. Visa applicants normally provide identity and biometrics.
Travel with a consistent explanation and relevant evidence. A visa or ETA does not guarantee entry.
There is no universal document bundle. Relevant evidence should establish the permitted business purpose, genuine visitor circumstances, funding and intention to leave the UK.
Explain what will happen in the UK and why the traveller needs to be present.
Show the traveller's position outside the UK, ability to fund the trip and intention to leave.
Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified by the Home Office. The translation should include confirmation of accuracy, the date, the translator's full name, signature and contact details.
These figures were checked against GOV.UK on 9 September 2026. Government fees and service standards can change, so verify them again before applying.
Government fee for a Standard Visitor visa covering a visit of up to six months.
Verify the feeGovernment application fee where the traveller's nationality and circumstances require an ETA.
Verify the ETA feeGOV.UK says a decision is usually made within three weeks after identity and documents are provided.
Check current timingA Standard Visitor can usually stay for up to six months, subject to the permission and border decision.
Read the overviewA two-, five- or ten-year Standard Visitor visa can cover repeated travel, but each visit is normally limited to six months. UKVI can issue shorter permission, refuse an application or cancel permission where the visit pattern indicates extended residence.
A short visit, a work route and company formation are separate matters. Current GOV.UK guidance remains the final reference for immigration requirements.
These answers explain the general route boundaries. Personal immigration advice must come from an appropriately authorised professional.
Share the traveller's nationality, trip dates, UK organisations, planned activities, overseas role, funding and any prior refusals. The enquiry can then be scoped around the relevant visa, ETA, evidence and regulated-advice needs.
