Applicants wishing to come to the UK for the purposes of business can apply for entry clearance to enter the UK in the business visitor category. For instance, applicants seeking to come to the UK to attend conferences, meet with manufacturers, conducting site visits, negotiating trade agreements/contracts, delivering goods or conducting business meetings can come in this category.

Visa national applicants can be granted a period of up to 6 months leave to enter. Multiple entry visas of up to 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years and 10 years can be obtained.

Requirements

Applicants will need to show the following in order to come to the UK as a business visitor:

·         Only intend to remain for up to 6 months following which they will leave the UK

·         Will be able to maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds or family or friends during their stay

·         Can meet the cost of an onward journey

·         Do not intend to charge for services provided or received

·         Does not intend to study

·          Does not intend to transfer business overseas to UK even if temporarily

Other categories of business visitors include the following:

·         Academic visitors (maximum 12 months subject to entry clearance)

·         Doctors undertaking PLAB tests

·         Doctors coming for clinical attachment programmes

·         Visiting professors (accompanying students)

·         Film crews on location shoots

·         Religious workers

·         Certain workers representing overseas companies (such as interpreters and translators)

Switching

Applicants cannot switch into other immigration categories. The maximum length of stay in this category is 6 months (unless academic visitor). There is no limit to the amount of times an applicant enters the UK in this capacity although they are not expected to enter more than once in one year.

Dependents

Applicants may bring their dependants for the duration of their stay. Dependants included are spouse, civil partner, same sex partner, unmarried partner and children under the age of 18.

Restrictions

Applicants are not permitted to undertake the following:

·         Paid or unpaid employment

·         To produce , sell or provide goods or services in the UK

Applicants seeking further advice or information in this category can contact our lawyers on 0207 569 3035 or alternatively at info@ergensharif.co.uk