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Business immigration

Uk business visas | a 2023/24 application guide.

  Table of Contents Toggle Understanding Different Business Visa Types UK Business visa Fees Structure What Is The National Success Rate For Business Visas? Starting The the Application Journey Gathering the Necessary Documentation Conclusion Focus Area Key Takeaway Visa Types Choose the right UK business visa type based on your professional needs Fees Be aware of the fee structure and the upcoming fee increase Application Process Seek professional guidance to ensure a successful application Documentation Gather all necessary documentation in advance  

The United Kingdom has long been a hub for international business, making it a desirable destination for entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals from around the globe. Obtaining a UK business visa is a crucial step towards launching or expanding your business ventures in the UK. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the UK business visa process, including the different types of business visas available, fee structures, challenges in visa acquisition, and much more.

Understanding Different Business Visa Types

The uk offers a variety of business visas to cater to different professional needs., here are some of the prominent business visa types:.

• Business Visitor Visa : Ideal for individuals looking to attend meetings, conferences or short-term business engagements in the UK.
• UK Start-Up Visa : Perfect for early-stage entrepreneurs looking to establish a business in the UK.
• UK Expansion Worker Visa : Designed for individuals tasked with expanding a foreign business into the UK market.

Each of these visas has its set of requirements, eligibility criteria, and benefits, which are crucial to understand before embarking on the application journey.

UK Business visa Fees Structure

Understanding the cost associated with applying for a business visa is crucial as it aids in financial planning for your UK venture. The fees for UK business visas vary based on the type of visa you are applying for. As of 2023, the visa fees for work visas in the UK are £259 for Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) visa, £259 for Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – Charity Worker) visa, and £626 for the Tier 2 (General) visa. It’s noteworthy to mention that there will be a fee increase effective from 4 October 2023.

This includes a 15% increase in the cost of most work and visit visas, and at least a 20% increase in the cost of priority visas, study visas, and Certificates of Sponsorship.

For a more detailed breakdown of the fee structure, you can visit our Fees page .

What Is The National Success Rate For Business Visas?

The success rate for UK business visa applications has shown promising trends. In the year ending March 2023, the number of work visas granted to main applicants significantly increased, totalling 299,891 grants. This was a 61% rise from the previous year, mainly due to the increasing demand for skilled worker visas. Additionally, from 2019 to 2022, the average success rate for the UK Start-up visa was 89.58%, and for the UK Innovator visa, it was 87.8%.

  Visa Type National Success Rate Start-Up 89.58% Innovator 87.8%

Starting The the Application Journey

Initiating the application process for a UK business visa requires thorough preparation. Meeting the specific requirements, proving your identity, and awaiting the application decision are crucial steps in this journey. It’s advisable to seek professional guidance to ensure all your documentation is in order and to improve the likelihood of a successful application.

Gathering the Necessary Documentation

Before applying, gather all the necessary documentation. This typically includes a valid passport, recent photographs, proof of enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, and for an Innovator Visa, having at least £50,000 in investment funds.

Venturing into the UK business landscape can be a rewarding experience, opening doors to numerous opportunities. However, navigating the visa application process can be challenging. Being well-informed about the different business visa types, fee structure, and application process, along with having all the necessary documentation ready, can significantly smooth your path to obtaining a UK business visa.

Final Recap Table : Focus Area Key Points Visa Types Business Visitor, Short-term Business, Innovator, Start-up, Global Business Mobility visas Fees £259 for Tier 5 visas, £626 for Tier 2 (General) visa; Fee increase from 4 October 2023 Challenges Restrictive new visa schemes; success rate varies Success Rate Significant increase in work visas granted; Average success rates: 89.58% for Start-up visa, 87.8% for Innovator visa Application Process Meeting specific requirements, proving identity, awaiting application decision Documentation Valid passport, recent photographs, personal savings, investment funds for Innovator visa

Your journey towards securing a UK business visa is a meticulous process, but with the right guidance and preparation, you are one step closer to realising your business aspirations in the UK.

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Do You Need a Business Visitor Visa for the UK?

Anne morris.

• 16 August 2023

IN THIS SECTION

If you are coming to the UK for the purposes of business, you’ll need to ensure you have the relevant permission. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a Business Visitor visa, or you may be able to travel visa-free.

The following guide for foreign nationals looking to come to the UK as business visitors looks at the various different aspects of the Business Visitor visa category, from when this type of visa is needed to how long a visa application will take to process.

Is there a Business Visitor visa for the UK?

Under the UK’s Immigration Rules for visitors, it is possible for overseas nationals to visit the UK for a temporary period, usually for up to 6 months, to carry out unpaid business activities. A visit visa for business purposes is a subcategory of the Standard Visitor visa, but is also commonly referred to as a Business Visitor visa.

Do you need a UK Business Visitor visa?

The question of whether you will need a Business Visitor visa will depend on your nationality, and whether you are deemed a ‘ visa national ‘ or ‘non-visa national’.

Under the rules, most visa nationals will need to apply for a Business Visitor visa to be able to undertake business activities in the UK. A visa national is any citizen from the list of countries under the Immigration Rules who need a visa to visit the UK — from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe — although nationals of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can apply for an electronic visa waiver (EVW).

In contrast, non-visa nationals — namely, citizens whose nationality does not appear on the visa national list — will not need a visa in advance of travelling to the UK, although they must still request entry clearance at a UK port of entry. Additionally, over the course of the next few months, UK travel requirements will be changing, where non-visa nationals will soon be required to obtain electronic travel authorisation (ETA) prior to travel.

Visitor visa or ETA?

ETA is a new security system to screen foreign travellers coming to the UK and will be electronically linked to the recipient’s passport. Under the existing rules, thousands of visitors are permitted to travel to the UK without a visa. Once the ETA system is fully in force, with the exception of British or Irish citizens, everyone who enters the UK for the purposes of business, or otherwise, will either require a visa or electronic authorisation.

The ETA requirement is due to be rolled out in stages, depending on the nationality of a visitor to the UK. For Qatar nationals, the ETA system will come into force from 15 November 2023, where they will need to apply for an ETA rather than an EVW. Nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are due to be included in the scheme from 22 February 2024. The current proposal from the UK Government is that all non-visa nationalities will be required to apply for an ETA by the end of 2024.

Once in force, a mobile app will be made available to apply for an ETA at a cost of £10, with most decisions expected to be processed within 3 working days.

Where applicable, once you have been granted an ETA, this will last for up to 2 years. However, if your passport expires in less than 2 years, you will need to re-apply, as your ETA is electronically linked to the passport that you applied with. During the ETA’s validity period, you will be able to use this to make multiple visits to the UK, provided you use the same passport to travel with and that passport remains valid for the duration of your stay.

Business visitor vis permissible activities

If you are travelling to the UK under a Business Visitor visa, or visa-free but for business purposes, or with an EVW or ETA, you must be coming to the UK to engage in activities permitted under the visitor rules. The different business activities permissible include:

• attending meetings, conferences, seminars and interviews
• giving a one-off or short series of talks and speeches
• negotiating and signing deals or contracts
• attending trade fairs in the UK to promote your business
• carrying out site visits and inspections in the UK
• gathering information for your employment overseas
• being briefed on the requirements of a UK-based customer
• receiving or delivering work-related training
• advising and consulting on internal projects
• overseeing the delivery of goods and services
• installing, dismantling, repairing, servicing or advising on machinery, equipment, software and hardware.

Under the visitor rules, while a business visitor is permitted to give a one-off or short series of talks and speeches, these must not be organised as commercial events and must not be arranged to make a profit for the organiser. Equally, if a visitor is planning to attend trade fairs in the UK, this can only be for promotional work, where the visitor will be prohibited from directly selling. Additionally, when being briefed on the requirements of a UK-based customer, any work for the customer can only be undertaken outside of the UK.

UK Business Visitor visa requirements

To be eligible for a Business Visitor visa, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• be genuinely seeking to come to the UK for business purposes permitted under the rules
• be able to financially support yourself for the duration of your stay in the UK
• be able to pay the reasonable costs relating to your UK visit, without undertaking paid work or accessing public funds, including the cost of either your return or onward journey
• not be intending to undertake any prohibited activities during your stay in the UK
• be intending to leave the UK at the end of your authorised stay
• not be intending to live in the UK for extended periods of time through either frequent or successive visits on this visa-type, nor be trying to make the UK your main home.

You must meet the eligibility requirements for a Business Visitor visa, even if you do not need a visa. This includes travelling visa-free under the current rules and travelling under an ETA once the new electronic travel authorisation system comes fully into force.

How to apply for a Business Visitor visa for the UK

To apply for a UK Business Visitor visa, you must complete an online application with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), pay the relevant fee and submit a valid passport or other travel document to prove your identity. This passport or document must be valid for the whole of your stay in the UK and there must be a blank page for UKVI to include your visa.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need additional documents, including evidence of your ability to fund your trip or from any third party who has agreed to help finance this. You may also need evidence of your business itinerary and where you will be staying.

How much does a UK Business Visitor visa cost?

The cost to apply for a Business Visitor visa is £115 from 4 October 2023. However, if you are looking for a visit visa with a longer period of validity , one which will allow you to visit the UK a number of times for business purposes, the fee is much higher. For a 2-year visa the fee is £400 from 4 October 2023) or £771 for a 5-year visa from 4 October 2023.

A 10-year visa is also available, although demonstrating a need to visit the UK regularly for business purposes over such a long period of time will require specific evidence to be provided. For any initial application, it is therefore often best to apply for either a visa over 2 or 5 years, until you have been able to establish a regular pattern of business trips over an extended period.

For long-term Business Visitor visas, while these will allow multiple entries over the validity period of the visa, you will only be able to stay in the UK for up to 6 months on each visit.

How long does a Business Visitor visa take to process?

When applying for a Business Visitor visa from overseas, having paid the relevant fee and proved your identity, it will usually take up to 3 weeks for a decision to be made.

In some cases, depending on which country you are applying from, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. Where available, the cost to apply for a decision within 5 working days using the priority service will be £250, while the cost to apply for a super priority decision by the end of the next working day will be £956. The cost to pay for a faster decision will be in addition to your visa application fee and is non-refundable if your application is refused or, in exceptional cases, it takes longer to process. An application for a Business Visitor visa may be delayed for a number of different reasons, including if you:

• have been refused a visa for the UK
• have been refused leave to enter or leave to remain in the UK
• have been deported, removed or otherwise required to leave the UK
• have overstayed a period of leave in the UK
• have had leave to remain in the UK curtailed by the Home Office
• have been refused a visa for either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States or any one of the Schengen countries, including most EU member states
• have been interviewed, detained or prosecuted for any offence in the UK or elsewhere
• have an unspent criminal conviction or committed an offence in any country.

If you fall into one or more of these categories, it can be better to avoid using a priority service. It may not possible for your application to be processed within such short timescales and paying for a faster decision does not guarantee that your application will be successful. A decision on your Business Visitor visa application may also be delayed where there is a need to check or gather further information in order for UKVI to make a decision.

Given the risk of delay, it can often be best to ensure that your application for a Business Visitor visa has been approved by UKVI before booking any travel and accommodation.

Alternative visa options for business visitors

With the exception of the permitted activities listed under the rules, a business visitor must not engage in any other employment-related activities in the UK. This means that doing paid work would be classed as a prohibited activity and in breach of the visitor rules.

If you wish to engage in paid work as a business visitor, you could look at the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor visa. To be eligible for this visa, you must be an expert in your profession, where you will be paid by a UK-based organisation or client to attend an engagement or event in the UK. You must also only intend to do permitted paid engagements relating to your area of expertise overseas, and any engagement must be arranged prior to travelling to the UK and evidenced by a formal invitation.

When it comes to what constitutes a permitted paid engagement, the scenarios are relatively limited. These only include examining or assessing students as a highly-qualified academic; giving a lecture or series of lectures in your specialised subject area; assessing pilots as a pilot examiner; providing advocacy for a client as a qualified lawyer in the context of legal proceedings; carrying out an activity directly relating to your profession as an artist, entertainer or musician; or carrying out an activity as a professional sportsperson.

As a PPE visitor, you cannot do work that is unrelated to your main overseas job role or area of expertise, or that otherwise falls outside the activities permitted under the rules. To do so, you would instead need to apply for a suitable work visa . This could include, for example, the Skilled Worker visa, the UK Expansion Worker visa or the Innovator Founder visa, although securing expert advice from an immigration specialist is strongly advised.

Need assistance?

Without appropriate permission or documentation, you could be detained and refused entry at the border. To avoid issues, take specialist advice on your circumstances.

DavidsonMorris are UK immigration and visa specialists . Our experienced legal advisers provide expert guidance on UK entry and travel requirements to visitors coming to the UK for business. Contact us for advice.

Business visitor visa FAQs

How long is a business visitor visa uk.

Business visitors will be able to come to the UK on a Business Visitor visa for up to 6 months. However, if a visitor is looking to stay longer, or to undertake paid employment, they will need another visa-type.

Is visitor visa same as business visa?

A business visa is a type of visitor visa, where it is possible for overseas nationals to come to the UK under the UK’s visitor rules, either for the purposes of business or pleasure, for a maximum 6-month stay.

How to apply for UK Business Visitor visa?

To apply for a UK Business Visitor visa, you must complete an online application and pay the relevant fee. You must also prove your identity by way of a passport or other travel document, valid for the entire UK stay.

Can I start a business on a visitors visa?

It is not permissible to start a business in the UK on a visitor visa, although the Business Visitor visa will allow overseas nationals to come to the UK for unpaid business activities, such as attending meetings and conferences.

Last updated: 16 August 2023

Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.

She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.

Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator , and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals

• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ Immigration & Societal Contributions
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ A Guide to the Study Visa UK System
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ The Principles of Immigration Sponsorship
• Anne Morris https://www.davidsonmorris.com/author/anne/ The UK Points Based System: A Guide

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Led by Anne Morris, one of the UK’s preeminent immigration lawyers, and with rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners , we’re a multi-disciplinary team helping organisations to meet their people objectives, while reducing legal risk and nurturing workforce relations.

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Our Guide to the UK Business Visit Visa

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Table of Content

Uk business visit visa requirements, what are the uk business visit visa “permitted activities”, general permitted business activities, intra-corporate permitted activities, clients of uk export companies, overseas roles requiring specific activities in the uk, do you have a way to calculate the visitor visa uk cost, permitted activities on a standard visitor visa, applying for a business visitor visa.

If you are planning a business trip to the UK for anything up to 6 months, the Business Visit Visa may be ideal for your needs. The Business Visit Visa, part of the Standard Visitor Visa scheme, is for those who wish to travel to the UK to carry out a permitted short-term unpaid business activity. If you think you may spend longer than 6 months in the UK on business or you may ultimately wish to settle here, it is advisable to look at alternative visa options such as the long-term Skilled Worker visa. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the UK Business Visit Visa, including the permitted business activities, eligibility requirements, period of validity, and how to apply.

Before applying for a Business Visit Visa, it is important to check whether you need a visa to visit the UK. Depending on your nationality, you may already be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa. If you need a Business Visitor Visa, you must be able to demonstrate that you:

• are genuinely coming to the UK for a permitted purpose
• will leave at the end of your visit
• will not undertake any prohibited activities;
• have sufficient funds to cover your stay
• you have the means to pay for your return or onward journey
• you will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home, and
• do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal (e.g. on the grounds of serious criminality or past immigration breaches)

UK Business Visit Visa holders are able to carry out any “permitted activity” while in the UK, as defined in the Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Permitted Activities . These permitted activities are broken down into several categories, as summarised below:

UK Business Visit Visa holder can carry out any of the following general permitted business activities:

• attend meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews
• give a one-off or short series of talks and speeches provided these are not organised as commercial events and will not make a profit for the organiser; and
• negotiate and sign deals and contracts
• attend trade fairs for promotional work only, provided the Visitor is not directly selling
• carry out site visits and inspections
• gather information for their employment overseas, and
• be briefed on the requirements of a UK-based customer, provided any work for the customer is done outside of the UK.

It is important to bear in mind that when assessing your application, the Home Office will check that the amount of time you have requested matches the stated purpose of coming to the UK for business.

UK Business Visit Visa holders who work for an overseas-based company can carry out any of the following permitted activities in relation to an internal project with UK employees of the same corporate group:

• advise and consult
• trouble-shoot
• provide training, and
• share skills and knowledge

The Home Office will want to be assured that you will not carry out any work directly with clients during your time in the UK on a Business Visitor Visa. The rules also allow internal auditors to perform regulatory or financial audits at UK branches of the same group of companies as their overseas employer, e.g. inspecting the quality of production at a manufacturing plant.

Manufacturing and supply of goodsUK Business Visit Visa holders can carry out certain business activities on behalf of overseas companies with a contract with a UK company or organisation. The immigration rules state that employees of overseas companies can use this type of visa to install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on machinery, equipment, computer software or hardware. It is also possible to provide training to UK-based workers to provide these services.

There must be a valid and eligible contract of purchase, supply or lease with a UK company or organisation. In addition, the overseas company must be the manufacturer or supplier or part of a contractual arrangement for after-sales services. This must have been agreed at the time of the sale or lease, including in a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale or lease.

The UK Business Visit Visa enables clients of a UK export company to be seconded to the UK company to oversee the requirements for goods and services being provided under contract by the UK company or its subsidiary company. The two companies must not be part of the same corporate group.

To make a successful Business Visitor Visa application, a contract showing the supply of goods or services by the UK company to the overseas company must be provided.

The UK Business Visit Visa enables individuals employed outside the UK to visit the UK to take part in the following activities for their overseas employer:

• translate and/or interpret in the UK as an employee of an enterprise located overseas
• personal assistants and bodyguards supporting an overseas business person in carrying out permitted activities
• tour group couriers contracted to a company with its headquarters outside the UK, entering and departing the UK with a tour group organised by their company
• journalists, correspondents, producers or cameramen gathering information for an overseas publication, programme or film
• archaeologists taking part in a one-off archaeological excavation; or
• professors from an overseas academic institution accompanying students to the UK as part of a study abroad programme, providing a small amount of teaching to the students at the host organisation, and
• market researchers and analysts may conduct market research or analysis for an enterprise located outside the UK.

In addition, drivers on a genuine international route between the UK and a country outside the UK can use a Business Visitor visa to deliver or collect goods or passengers from a country outside the UK to the UK and undertake cabotage operations. In this scenario, drivers must be employed or contracted to an operator registered in a country outside the UK or be a self-employed operator and driver based outside the UK. The operator must hold an International Operators Licence or be operating on an own account basis.

Yes! Use our calculator below to calculate your Visitor Visa Visa cost.

Please answer the questions and you will be able to calculate the approx. cost for The Visitor Visa –

The immigration rules allow for certain activities to be undertaken on a Standard Visitor visa without the need for a Business Visitor visa. This applies to those who are employed overseas in any of the following job types:

• archaeologist
• artist, entertainer or musician
• camera operator
• internal auditor
• journalist or correspondent
• lawyer or expert witness
• market researcher or analyst
• personal assistant
• professor from an overseas academic institution
• religious worker
• scientist or researcher
• sports person or sports official
• tour group courier
• translator or interpreter
• member of a film crew, including actors, producers, directors or technicians
• member of the production team supporting an artist, entertainer or musician
• member of technical staff supporting an artist, entertainer, musician or sportsperson

Business Visitor Visa applications can be completed online on the UK Home Office website. Applicants have the option of applying for a visa duration of 6 months, 2 years, 5 years or 10 years. The long-term Business Visitor Visas are intended for those who come to the UK regularly on business for up to 6 months at a time. To apply, you will need to:

• Complete and submit the online application form
• Pay the application fee (6 months: £100, 2 years: £376, 5 years: £670, 10 years: £837)
• Book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre
• Provide your identity documents and any documents required to support your application.

In most cases, Business Visitor Visa applications take around 3 weeks to process.

A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or contact us  today. We’re here to help!

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• Administrative Review & Appeal
• Civil Penalty Notice
• Deception ILR
• Dependent Visa
• EEA Family Permit / Residence Card
• Judicial Review
• Premium / Super Premium Visa Service
• Sole Representative Visa
• Tier 1 Investor Visa
• Tier 2 General & ICT Visa
• Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
• Tier 5 Visa
• UK Ancestry Visa
• Visitor Visa
• Points based immigration system

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You may have heard about the UK Golden visa and how this provides a direct route to permanent settlement through investment. The Golden visa (properly referred to as the Tier 1 (Investor) visa) is, unfortunately, now closed to new applications as of 17 th February 2022. While the Golden visa route is closed to new applicants, it is still possible to extend the Tier 1 Investor visa and apply for permanent settlement. In this article, we will explain the Tier 1 Investor visa requirements and eligibility criteria, how to apply for a Tier 1 Investor Visa, and the processing time for a Tier 1 Investor Visa when applying for an extension.

What is the Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa, also known as the Tier 1 (Investor) visa, enables high net-worth individuals from overseas to make a substantial financial investment of at least £2m into the UK economy and gain permission to remain in return. Depending on the amount invested, Golden Visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (i.e. permanent residence) after 2, 3, or 5 years. As such, the Tier 1 Investor visa offers an accelerated route to permanent settlement compared to other visas, which require 5 years of continuous residence.

Why was the Golden Visa closed to new applicants?

The Home Office made the decision to close the Golden Visa to new applicants from 17 th February 2022 to prevent what it referred to as “corrupt elites” from accessing the UK. When announcing its closure, the Home Secretary at the time, Priti Patel, explained, “Closing this route is just the start of our renewed crackdown on fraud and illicit finance. We will be publishing a fraud action plan, while the forthcoming Economic Crime Bill will crack down on people abusing our financial institutions and better protect the taxpayer”.

The Home Office confirmed that it would still be possible to further extend existing Investor visas, but that permanent settlement would be conditional on applicants “executing an investment strategy that can show genuine job creation and other tangible economic impacts. Passively holding UK investments will no longer be enough to obtain settlement”. 

Golden Visa requirements (for renewal)

If you currently hold a Golden visa, you can further extend your stay as long as you meet the requirements. 

If you made a successful application for a Golden visa prior to 6 th November 2014, all of the following requirements must be met:

• You must have invested a minimum of £2 million in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active UK companies since 6 th April 2020
• You must have had at least £1 million under your control in the UK before 6th April 2020 and
• You must have invested £750,000 in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active UK companies within 3 months of your ‘investor start date.’

If you made a successful application for a Golden visa on or after 6 th November 2014, all of the following requirements must be met:

• You must have a minimum of £2 million under your control in the UK
• You must have invested those funds in share capital or loan capital in active UK companies and
• You must have invested this sum within 3 months of your ‘investor start date.’

When determining if you meet these criteria, bear in mind that your ‘investor start date’ is either the date you came into the UK, the date your original visa application or when you switched switch from a different visa category and this was approved.

Eligibility criteria for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

If you applied prior to 6 th November 2014, you can apply for ILR after 2 years if you have invested £10m, 3 years if you have invested £5m, or 5 years if you have invested £2m . You must have invested your funds in share capital, loan capital or UK government bonds in active UK companies within 3 months of your ‘investor start date’.

If you applied after 6 th November 2014, you can apply for ILR after:

• 2 years if you have £10m in cash, £20m in personal assets, or £10m in loans from a UK-regulated financial institution 
• 3 years if you have £5m in cash, £10m in personal assets, or £5m in loans from a UK-regulated financial institution, or
• 5 years if you have £1m in cash, £2m in personal assets, or £1m in loans from a UK-regulated financial institution 

The rules also state that you must have invested at l east 75% of your investment funds in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active UK companies within 3 months of your ‘investor start date’.

In addition to the time in the UK and the investment amount requirements, you will also need to provide evidence that you have passed the ‘Life in the UK’ test and that you meet the English language requirement. To meet the language requirement, you must have passed an approved English test at B1, B2, C1 or C2 level or have a degree-level qualification that was taught or researched in English.

How to apply for a Tier 1 (Investor) Visa and Processing time

Your application to renew your Tier 1 Investor visa can be completed online on the Home Office website. You will need to pay an application fee of £1,884 per person in addition to the healthcare surcharge.

Most Tier 1 Investor visa renewal applications are processed, and a decision is made within 8 weeks of the date of submission. However, if you wish to use the priority service to receive a faster decision within 5 working days, you can pay an additional fee of £500 .

What is the Self-Sponsorship Visa UK?

As the Golden visa has now closed, many applicants are considering the self-sponsorship visa. The UK’s Self-Sponsorship visa provides a excellent way for overseas to move to the UK by setting up a company here and working for themselves without the need to apply for a job with an employer. One of the biggest benefits of this route is that it offers a direct route to permanent settlement and British citizenship after a further one year. If you need any information on the self-sponsorship visa UK, please speak to an immigration Solicitor who can explain the rules and how to apply. 

Final words

If you do not currently hold a Tier Investor visa but would like to invest in the UK, there are other visa options which may be available to you, including the Innovator Founder Visa. To discuss your plans and better understand your visa options, we recommend speaking to a London-based immigration solicitor to explain the best route for your needs and for your family. 

A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience with all types of visa applications. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us on +44 20 7404 7933 or at contact us today . We’re here to help!

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BUSINESS VISIT VISA

The Business Visit Visa is for individuals who wish to come to the UK for the purpose of carrying out a permitted short-term unpaid business activity.

The Business Visit Visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, which is a route for persons who wish to visit the UK for a temporary period of up to 6 months.  

The route does not lead to settlement in the UK and all visitors must make a separate application, even when travelling as part of a group.

Requirements for a Business Visit Visa

In order to qualify for a Business Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You are a visa national (a non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival at the UK border);
• You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes;
• You will not undertake any prohibited activities;
• You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including maintenance and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds;
• You will leave the UK at the end of your visit;
• You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home;
• Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal;
• You have obtained an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances.  You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

To discuss your Business Visit Visa application with one of our immigration barristers, contact our UK Visit Visa lawyers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

Visa National Requirement

A visa national is someone who, by reason of their nationality, requires a Visit Visa in order to enter the UK as a Visitor.  Visa nationals must generally apply for a Visit Visa before travelling to the UK.

The Home Office has published a list of nationalities that are required to apply for a Visit Visa prior to travelling to the UK as a Visitor.  The list includes a number of exceptions, which allow certain visa nationals to seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK.

A non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK.  A non-visa national must still satisfy the requirements for entry as a Visitor and so, on arrival, should be prepared to explain, for example, the purpose of their visit and how they will be maintained and accommodated in the UK, as well as their return travel arrangements. 

EU citizens are non-visa nationals and can seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK without needing to apply for a Visit Visa.

As well as preparing Visit Visa applications for visa nationals, our barristers regularly assist non-visa nationals to satisfy the requirements for entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK.

Business Visit Visa Permitted Activities 

In order to qualify for a Business Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that you are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes and will not undertake any prohibited activities.

The Home Office will normally expect your business activities to be linked to your employment outside the UK in some way. In all cases the duration of your business activities must be less than 6 months and prearranged where possible.

Business Visit Visa holders may undertake a wide range of permitted activities in the UK:

General Business Activities 

Business Visit Visa holders may undertake the following general business activities:

• Attend meetings, conferences, seminars, interviews; 
• Give a one-off or short series of talks and speeches provided these are not organised as commercial events and will not make a profit for the organiser; 
• Negotiate and sign deals and contracts;
• Attend trade fairs, for promotional work only, provided the Visitor is not directly selling;
• Carry out site visits and inspections; 
• Gather information for their employment overseas;
• Be briefed on the requirements of a UK based customer, provided any work for the customer is done outside of the UK.

The Home Office will assess whether the period of leave requested is credible in view of the activities that you are seeking to take part in during your visit.

Intra-corporate Activities

Employees of overseas based companies engaged on a specific internal project with UK employees of the same corporate group may apply for a Business Visit Visa in order to:

• Advise and consult;
• Trouble-shoot;
• Provide training; 
• Share skills and knowledge;

Internal auditors may carry out regulatory or financial audits at a UK branch of the same group of companies as the Business Visitor’s employer overseas.

Intra-corporate activities should be of a short duration and linked to a specific project. The Home Office will expect you to be mainly based at your company’s offices in the UK and not at client sites.

Business visitors undertaking intra-corporate activities may work directly with clients.  However, any client-facing activity must be incidental to the visitor’s employment abroad and should not amount to the offshoring of a project or service to their overseas employer.

Manufacture and Supply of Goods to the UK

If you are an employee of an overseas company you may install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on machinery, equipment, computer software or hardware (or train UK based workers to provide these services) where there is a contract of purchase, supply or lease with a UK company or organisation.   The overseas company must either be the manufacturer or supplier or be part of a contractual arrangement for after sales services agreed at the time of the sale or lease, including in a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale or lease.

The Home Office may wish to see evidence of the contract between the overseas and UK based company, which should specify the arrangements in place for the after sales service.

The Home Office will usually expect such visitors to stay in the UK for less than one month to carry out their activity because they will be in employment overseas.

Clients of UK Export Companies

If you are a client of a UK export company you may be seconded to the UK company in order to oversee the requirements for goods and services that are being provided under contract by the UK company or its subsidiary company, provided the two companies are not part of the same group.

The Home Office will expect to see a contract of service between the 2 companies for the UK company to provide goods or services to the overseas company.

Overseas Roles Requiring Specific Activities in the UK

If you are employed outside the UK you may visit the UK to take part in the following activities in relation to your employment overseas:

• If you are a translator and/or interpreter you may translate and/or interpret in the UK as an employee of an enterprise located overseas;
• If you are a personal assistant or bodyguard you may support an overseas business person in carrying out permitted activities, provided you will attend the same event(s) as the business person and are employed by them outside the UK. You must not be providing personal care or domestic work for the business person;
• If you are a tour group courier, contracted to a company with its headquarters outside the UK, you may enter and depart the UK with a tour group organised by your company;
• If you are a journalist, correspondent, producer or cameraman you may visit the UK to gather information for an overseas publication, programme or film;
• If you are an archaeologist you may visit the UK to take part in a one-off archaeological excavation;
• If you are a professor from an overseas academic institution accompanying students to the UK as part of a study abroad programme, you may provide a small amount of teaching to the students at the host organisation providing this does not amount to filling a permanent teaching role for that institution;
• If you are a market researcher or analyst you may conduct market research or analysis for an enterprise located outside the UK.

If you are driver on a genuine international route between the UK and a country outside the UK and you are either employed or contracted to an operator registered in a country outside the UK or are a self-employed operator and driver based outside the UK then you may deliver or collect goods or passengers from a country outside the UK to the UK and undertake cabotage operations.  The operator must hold an International Operators Licence or be operating on an own account basis.

Because the Business Visit Visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, Business Visitors may also undertake other activities that are permitted under other sub-categories of the Standard Visitor route. This includes permitted paid engagements, provided the paid engagement is arranged before travelling to the UK and is completed within 30 days of arrival in the UK.

Intention to Leave the UK Requirement for a Business Visit Visa

In addition to satisfying the Home Office that you are genuinely seeking to enter the UK for a permitted purpose, as part of your application for a Business Visit Visa you will also need to satisfy the Home Office that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit and will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.

In assessing your application, the Home Office will consider a range of factors including:

• Your previous immigration history, including visits to the UK and other countries;
• Your financial circumstances as well as your family, social and economic background;
• Your personal and economic ties to your country of residence.

Factors which may cause the Home Office to doubt that you are a genuine visitor include having few or no family and economic ties to your country of residence, whilst having several family members in the UK, previous attempts to deceive the Home Office in an immigration application and discrepancies between statements made by yourself and your sponsor.

Business Visit Visa Financial Requirement

You will need to have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, maintenance and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds.

Your funds will need to be held in a permitted financial institution.

Your travel, maintenance and accommodation costs may be met by a third party if the third party has a genuine professional or personal relationship with you, they are not, and will not be, in breach of immigration laws and they can support you throughout the duration of your stay as a Visitor.

Business Visit Visa English Language Requirement

Business Visit Visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.

Business Visit Visa Validity Period

If you wish to enter the UK for the purpose of a Business Visit you may apply for a Visit Visa that is valid for either 6 months, 2 years, 5 years or 10 years.  

You may enter and leave the UK multiple times during the validity period of your Visit Visa, unless your Visit Visa is endorsed for a single or dual entry.

Each visit to the UK must not exceed 6 months.

Business Visit Visa Right to Work

Business Visitors are not permitted to work in the UK or, with few exceptions, receive payment from a UK source for any activities undertaken in the UK.

This means that Business Visitors cannot take employment, establish or run a business as a self-employed person, work for an organisation or business in the UK, undertake a work placement or internship in the UK or otherwise provide or sell goods or services in the UK.

Business Visitors are permitted to work remotely while in the UK, but remote working must not be the primary purpose of the visit. The main purpose of the visit to the UK should be to undertake a permitted activity, rather than specifically to work remotely from the UK.

Business Visitors are also permitted to come to the UK to seek employment and attend job interviews. However, if successful in obtaining employment, you will be expected to leave the UK and seek the appropriate entry clearance prior to commencing work.

Business Visit Visa Application Fees

The Home Office application fee for a Business Visit Visa for a short stay of up to 6 months is currently £115.

If you wish to apply for a Business Visit Visa that is valid for either 2 years, 5 years or 10 years then the Home Office application fee will be £400, £771 or £963 respectively.

How Our Immigration Barristers Can Help

Our immigration barristers are experienced in assisting businesspeople from across the globe to secure visas to visit the UK for the purpose of carrying out permitted short-term business activities. 

Whether you are seeking advice on the merits of applying for a Business Visit Visa, assistance with preparing a Business Visit Visa application or legal representation to challenge a decision to refuse an application for a Business Visit Visa, our immigration barristers can assist.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our client’s needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to our clients as part of a professional and friendly service.

We can also assist with

The UK offers a range of long term work visas and short term work visas .

The main long term work visa routes include:

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Scale-up Visa
• International Sportsperson Visa
• Minister of Religion Visa
• Media Representative Visa

The main short term work visa routes include:

• Graduate Visa
• High Potential Individual Visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme Visa
• Temporary Work – Creative Worker Visa
• UK Ancestry Visa

Our team of business immigration barristers has experience in assisting employers and workers across a variety of industries in companies of all sizes.

Whether you require expert advice on the requirements of the Immigration Rules, an independent assessment of your prospects of qualifying for a visa or professional assistance with preparing an immigration application, our immigration barristers can help.

The UK offers a range of business visas (for those who wish to start a business in the UK) and global business mobility visas (for employees of overseas businesses who wish to be transferred to the UK temporarily).

The main business visa routes include:

• Start-up Visa
• Innovator Visa

The main global business mobility routes include:

• Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
• Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa
• Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa
• Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa
• Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa

Our team of business immigration barristers has experience in assisting employers, skilled workers and entrepreneurs across a variety of industries in companies of all sizes.

If your application for a Visit Visa has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise on the merits of making a fresh application or challenging the refusal decision.

In many cases, a professionally prepared fresh application will be the quickest and most economical way of securing a Visit Visa following a refusal decision.  Our immigration barristers have an excellent track record of securing Visit Visas for clients who have previously been refused a Visit Visa following a self-prepared application.

If the decision to refuse your Visit Visa application was unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally improper, our immigration barristers can advise on merits of applying for Judicial Review of the decision, draft grounds for Judicial Review and provide representation at Judicial Review hearings.

WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH?

To discuss your Business Visit Visa application with one of our immigration barristers, contact our Short Stay Visit Visa team on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

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Business Customs

UK business customs are similar to those in the United States. The UK is a diverse and multi-ethnic society.

Some fundamental cultural differences between the U.S. and the UK remain. Variations in pace and style may be most noticeable, and sustained personal contact with potential business partners is expected. Prompt acknowledgment of correspondence, longer lead time for appointments, adherence to appointment schedules and greater formality in the conduct of business is the norm.

British executives typically communicate by phone and e-mail. The British are less likely to seek legal advice and guidance than their U.S. counterparts, although a litigation culture is developing along the lines of the U.S. model – i.e., no win, no fee cases have recently been permitted.

Travel Advisory

The State Department’s Consular Information Sheet for the United Kingdom provides information for travel to the United Kingdom. The State Department’s Travel Alerts provides information on travel warnings .

The U.S. Embassy London website has information for both U.S. visitors to the UK and for UK citizens seeking to travel to the United States.

Visa Requirements

UK Visa Information can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website, as well as the British Embassy in Washington website.

The UK uses electronic gates at the border for UK citizens, EEA nationals, and citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States.

For nationalities not already using the e-gates upon entry, Registered Traveler is a fee-based service to expedite entry into the UK.

U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link(s): State Department Visa Website .

The local currency of the United Kingdom is the Pound Sterling (£, GBP). Visa and Mastercard are accepted widely throughout the UK, while American Express is only accepted in the major cities. Many businesses in the UK’s major cities are now cashless and accept contactless credit card payments. 

LINK is the primary ATM network in the UK and most ATMs offer free cash withdrawals, although foreign withdrawal fees may apply. In major cities, ATMs from US banks can be found.  Traveler’s checks may not be used in lieu of local currency and must be exchanged for cash at a bank before use.

Telecommunications/Electronics

Wireless internet connection is widely available across the UK in hotels, cafes/restaurants, and transportation hubs. Internet Service Providers also provide wireless connection in public areas for a small fee. 

Most U.S. cell phone carriers offer international plans that extend to the UK. Alternatively, SIM cards can be purchased at all major transportation hubs in the country. The UK power socket differs from that of the U.S. in both voltage and shape, with  the U.S. operating on a 120V supply voltage and the UK outlets provide a 240V. Depending on the U.S. appliance or electrical item voltage limit, either a plug adaptor will be required (for appliances capable of 110-240V) or a step-down Transformer (for items only capable of 110V).

Transportation

The UK is easily accessible from most major airports in the United States and Europe. The UK’s main access points are its airports in London (LHR, LGW, STN, LTN), Manchester (MAN), Edinburgh (EDI), Birmingham (BHX), Bristol (BRS), Glasgow (GLA), and Belfast (BFS). The UK can also be entered from Europe via train using the Eurostar high-speed rail service, which stops in London St Pancras, Ebbsfleet, and Ashford. It is also possible to drive from France to the United Kingdom via the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle.

Within the UK, there are several viable public transportation options, including the National Rail system, buses, and city specific railways. Taxi and car services are also available in major cities. 

The UK does not have an official language. Welsh is however the official language of Wales. English is the de facto language of the UK and is its primary business language. Please note that British English does differ from American English in both spelling and vocabulary. 

The UK is home to the National Health Service, which is a publicly funded healthcare system. While the NHS remains free for ordinary residents, travelers may be charged for using NHS services. Please consult the Department of Health and Social Care’s guidance for overseas visitors . UK private healthcare is alternatively available for those who wish to take out a private plan with an international provider. Overall, both countries have similar world class health outcomes.

Consult the Center for Disease Control Notice for Travel in the United Kingdom for information on recommended vaccinations and the current public health status of the UK. 

Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays

From the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March, the UK follows Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During the other half of the year, the UK uses British Summer Time. Both time systems are 5 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Note that the UK typically uses a 24-hour clock instead of the 12-hour clock used in the U.S. 

Business hours in the UK generally run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The UK celebrates several Bank Holidays each year. The name and date of each holiday can be found on the government’s Bank Holiday website. In addition to these official holidays, some UK businesses close for extended periods during July and August as many UK workers take time off during this time. 

Temporary Entry and Personal Belongings

A government-issued passport is needed when entering the UK. You may also need to declare certain goods upon entry into the UK. Please see the governments advise on Entering the UK for more information.

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Business Visitor Visa

If you wish to visit the UK from the US, one of IAS immigration attorneys will be happy to help.

Call us on  +1 844 290 6312  for immediate help & assistance with your situation. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone or online.

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Page contents.

• Business Visitor Visa overview
• Visitor visa requirements for US citizens
• Applying for a UK visitor visa from the US
• Seeking the help of IAS’ lawyers
• IAS’ immigration advice services

Frequently Asked Questions

Uk business visitor visa for us citizens.

If you plan on entering the UK for a short period on business and are a non-EEA or Swiss national, you may need a Business Visitor Visa UK. This type of UK short-term visa comes under the Standard Visitor Visa category and can be used if you are self-employed or working as an employee.

The UK Business Visitor Visa is different from the points-based Tier 1 Entrepreneur or Investor Visa. You are only allowed to enter for a short period of time and can only conduct certain types of business activity. The Business Visitor Visa can be granted for up to six months. If you are intending to visit as an academic business visitor, you may be able to visit for up to 12 months.

As a US citizen, you will not need a Business Visitor Visa for most business activities such as conferences or meetings in the UK as long as your stay is for less than six months. To work in any capacity in the UK, you will need to apply for a Tier 5 or Tier 2 Work Visa .

What is a Business Visit Visa for US citizens?

To be eligible to apply for a UK Business Visitor Visa you will need to be over 18 and want to visit the UK only for business purposes. Your stay must also only be for up to six months (or 12 for academic business visitors).

This application is based on the expectation that the applicant will be carrying out ‘permissible activity’ while in the UK. This could include acting as a news correspondent or engaging in any organized religious preaching or pastoral work. If applying for this visa category, you must be able to provide the relevant evidence of your activities to the Entry Clearance Office.

Business Visitor Visa requirements for American citizens

Before you apply for a UK visitor visa from US, you must make sure that you meet the following requirements:

• You must be able to demonstrate your willingness to leave the UK at the end of your visit
• You can support yourself an any dependents financially for the entire duration of your trip
• You can pay for any costs relating to your visit, including the return journey
• You have valid proof of any business activities you are going to perform once in the UK

How to apply for a Visitor visa from the US?

You can submit your application online. Once you have paid the application fee, you must book an appointment at your nearest visa application centre. Here, you will have your fingerprints and photograph taken.

You must also submit a bundle of supporting documents along with your application forms. If you fail to provide adequate documentation about your trip to the UK, your application may be rejected. For this reason, we recommend seeking the help of an expert US immigration attorney.

How can IAS help me visit the UK?

With our service, your lawyer will discuss with you your intentions for your visit to determine if this short-term visa UK is for you. If you are eligible, your lawyer can complete your application forms in full and gather your supporting evidence. You will also be provided with a Letter of Representation for your application. This is a detailed legal document which cites your supporting evidence and relevant UK case law to strengthen your case.

Get in touch today on +1844 290 6312 or make an inquiry online to receive professional advice from the expert immigration lawyers at IAS.

Last modified on June 17th, 2023 at 7:44 am

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Related pages for your continued reading.

Immigration attorneys, u.s citizenship, british citizenship, spouse visa uk, u.s. k1 fiance visa, can you extend a business visitor visa.

There is a possibility for an extension on the UK Business Visitor Visa.

This will, however, rely on your initial visa having not been granted for the full six months. The overall time length allowed for this type of visa is a maximum of six months.

What are the Business Visitor Visa restrictions?

To get Entry Clearance on this type of short-term UK visa, you must be genuinely entering the country to conduct business. This must be for a maximum of six months (12 for academic business visitors). You must also leave the UK before your leave has ended. Another requirement is sufficient maintenance funds and evidence of adequate accommodation. You must also be able to show that you can afford your journey to and from the UK.

Can I appeal a refusal of a Business Visitor Visa?

There is not presently any right of appeal for a refused UK short-term visa for business visitors.

The only way to appeal would be a Judicial Review in High Court.

What services does IAS offer?

Because there is no right of appeal again a Business Visitor Visa refusal, this application must be done right the first time. IAS hosts a team of lawyers with extensive experience in apply for all types of UK short-term visas, including the UK Business Visitor Visa.

With our service, we can assist by:

• Ensuring that you have sufficient, relevant evidence before submitting your application;
• Taking instructions on your proposed activities and confirming that they are eligible;
• Managing all contact with the Entry Clearance Office during the process;
• Producing a detailed Letter of Representation to be submitted with your application in support of your case;
• Filling your application forms in for you to the highest possible standard.

Get in touch now on +1844 290 6312 or make an inquiry to speak with a professional immigration adviser to learn more about your Business Visitor Visa UK application.

© 2024 Immigration Advice Service LTD. OISC Registration Number - F201100299. Our Flagship London Immigration Lawyer office is open for business as usual.

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Here are some of the charges in popular European destinations:

Tourists visiting Venice for the day will have to pay a €5 (£4.27) entry fee to enter the city between the hours of 8.30am and 4.00pm. The scheme is currently going through a trial period, but it is expected to come fully into force in next year.

Manchester 

The city introduced a £1 per room per night tourist tax across 73 hotels to fund improvement measures to attract more tourists.

A recent increase to the existing tourist fee means visitors now pay €3.25 (£2.78), up from €2.75 (£2.35), to stay in some accommodation. 

The Portuguese capital enforces a €2 (£1.71) per person fee for every night tourists stay but it is only applied for a maximum of seven nights. 

Tourist tax in Athens varies depending on the hotel category and the time of year, ranging anywhere from €0.50 (43p) - €10 (£8.54) per room per night.

Visitors to Dubrovnik must pay €2.65 (£2.26) per person per night throughout April to September. The Croatian government has temporarily reduced this fee to €1.86 (£1.59) for the rest of this year.

France charges visitors a tourist tax, which varies depending on the type of accommodation. The most expensive charge is €14.95 (£12.77). Those staying in a typical four-star hotel are charged around €8 (£6.83).

For visitors to Prague, tourist tax has increased from 21 to 50 CZK each day (71p - £1.69).

Tourists staying in Budapest are charged an additional 4% each night, which is calculated based on the price of the room.

Tourists must now pay 5% of the room price, excluding VAT and service fees. 

Prices in March were 3.2% higher than prices at the same time last year, putting pressure on already stretched household budgets.

This figure, the lowest since 2021, is inching closer to the Bank of England's 2% target.

Food prices rising by less than they did last year was the biggest driver of March's overall inflation rate fall. That was partly offset by fuel prices rising this year when they were falling in March 2023.

A fall in inflation doesn't mean prices are coming down, but that they're rising less quickly.

Use our calculator to see how much your groceries, clothing and leisure activities have increased in cost.

By James Sillars , business reporter  

It was a messy day for shares across Europe yesterday, and things only looked marginally better as the latest session got under way.

The FTSE 100 opened fractionally lower at 7,817 after bleeding 1.8% of its value by yesterday evening's close.

Losses then came across the board - largely reflecting growing fears that the United States will not be cutting interest rates for the foreseeable future.

A hot economy there is not giving the Federal Reserve scope to cut borrowing costs across the pond, and that does not bode well for prospects of interest rate cuts on this side of the Atlantic.

That is because interest rate cuts tend to weaken a domestic currency.

A higher dollar versus the pound would raise the cost of importing goods and services priced in dollars, such as oil, meaning they would become more expensive and stoke inflation.

Just weeks ago, sterling was trading at $1.27. Today, a pound gets you just $1.24.

Among the shares doing well on the stock market today were those of ASOS - up by more than 7% - despite publishing first-half losses.

ASOS was more bullish on its prospects over the medium term despite continuing challenges from steep competition, mainly from China, and excess levels of clothing stocks.

On the face of it, the March inflation figures are good news, with the headline Consumer Prices Index measure falling from 3.4% in February to 3.2% and the core measure, which strips out volatile elements such as energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, falling from 4.5% in February to 4.2%.

However, both figures are higher than expected, with the market having looked for CPI of 3.1% in March and core inflation of 4.2%. To that extent, the figures are a disappointment.

It is, though, the third consecutive month during which CPI has fallen, and the good news is that there is almost certain to be a fourth decline when the numbers for the current month, April, are published.

That is because the cap on household energy bills imposed by the energy regulator Ofgem fell at the start of the month and that, all things being equal, should bear down on inflation further.

That caveat is important because there is still inflation in the system.

On the eve of Iran's weekend attack on Israel, the oil price had risen by 17% since the beginning of the year, with Brent crude last Friday hitting $92.18 at one point – a level not seen since 23 October last year.

That is already feeding through to the headline rate of inflation: the Office for National Statistics noted today that the largest upward contribution to March CPI coming from motor fuels – the price of which fell in March last year but which rose in March this year.

In time, this up tick in oil prices will feed into all kinds of other prices in the inflation basket, including food, drink and other manufactured goods.

This effect can also be observed in other parts of the world.

The March CPI figure in the United States came in at 3.5% - up from 3.2% in February and the third consecutive month that inflation had come in ahead of expectations.The American experience is a reminder, should one be needed, that inflation does not come down in a straight line.

The other recent lesson from the US is that inflation is proving stickier than expected – something that the Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey and his colleagues on the Monetary Policy Committee know only too well.

At the beginning of the year, the market was expecting five, maybe even six, interest rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve. Now it is expecting two at best. American consumers have money in their pockets and, judging from the unexpectedly strong retail sales figures published on Monday, they are spending it.

Accordingly, Jay Powell, the Fed's chair, has been busily talking down Wall Street’s expectations of rate cuts, telling a meeting at the IMF and World Bank's spring meeting in Washington on Tuesday that interest rate cuts this year might not be forthcoming unless the economy shows signs of slowing down.

None of this makes life easier for Mr Bailey and his colleagues.

Tuesday's jobs data for March provided a good example of the dilemma faced by the Bank: on the one hand there was evidence of a softening labour market, with the headline rate of unemployment creeping up from 3.9% to 4.2%, but on the other, regular wages rose by 6% during the month, which is significantly stronger than the MPC would want to see before cutting UK interest rates.

The MPC will also watching carefully to see that the recent strength in US inflation does not feed into higher prices of goods imported from the United States to the UK.

The financial; markets are now coming round to the view that the Bank of England may now cut interest rates before the Fed – with the European Central Bank moving before either of them.

As for the UK government, which also faces an election this year, it has to hope that inflation does keep coming down and that consumers will start to feel better about life. 

You can read King's full analysis here ... 

We've been taking a closer look at some of the ONS inflation data... 

It shows inflation for food and non-alcoholic drinks dipped to 4% for the month, from 5% in February. 

This is its lowest level since November 2021.

The increased slowdown was partly driven by a fall in meat prices and lower rises for bread and cereals, the ONS said.

Furniture and household goods prices also contributed to the fall, with prices in the sector falling by 0.9% in March compared with the same month last year.

Elsewhere in retail, clothing and footwear inflation also slowed to 4% for the month, from 5% in February, after women's clothing stores increased prices by less than normal for this time of year.

The largest upwards pressure came from motor fuels, after the average price of petrol rose by 2.6p per litre between February and March 2024 to stand at 144.8 pence per litre, according to the ONS.

After the lower-than-expected fall in inflation, Coventry Building Society has announced it is increasing all its fixed rate deals. 

Although it hasn't said how much the offers will rise by, it has said it will affect new and existing residential and buy-to-let customers. 

The higher rates will be introduced at 8am on Friday, it said. 

The announcement has been met with disappointment by brokers, who say it is "another major ripple of increases". 

"This is disappointing news. Swap rate increases continue to hammer mortgage borrowers, and lenders have no choice but to pass on those higher costs," Justin Moy, the managing director at EHF Mortgages, said. 

"The 48-hour notice Coventry Building Society provides is always appreciated by brokers and borrowers, but this is just the start of another major ripple of increases that will only disappoint those coming off cheaper deals and looking to buy," he told Newspage. 

Lewis Shaw, owner and mortgage expert at Shaw Financial Services, warned: "There may be more mortgage misery on the cards after the latest CPI print shows the economy is still running hotter than expected." 

Michelle Lawson, director at Lawson Financial, said: "No surprises here following this morning's inflation decrease as it wasn't as low as markets expected. 

"More than anything we need stability but the mixed messages being sent out to borrowers remain. This appears to be the new norm for now." 

Andrew Bailey has signalled the UK is still on course for an interest rate cut as official figures show a further easing in the pace of price growth in the economy.

Our business reporter James Sillars   looks closely at the governor's comments here : 

While we have seen inflation fall slightly, the UK's figure still remains one of the highest in the G7. 

Our headline rate of 3.2% is nearly 1% more than Germany, which as recorded a 2.3% rate.

The US is still sitting above the UK, with an expected rise from 3.2% in February to 3.5% in March.

Rishi Sunak has celebrated the new inflation data, despite it falling by less than expected. 

The prime minister says inflation is now at the lowest it's been for more than two and a half years...

It's important to say that although the figure is moving in the right direction, it is still a way off the government's 2% target.

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