The UK is a good place for business owners and investors who want to start or grow their operations. It has a strong economy and a helpful business community.
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A UK Business Visa lets people visit the UK for business reasons. This includes going to meetings or conferences, and negotiating deals. If you are in the UK to do business, you will likely need this visa. It allows you to take part in business actions. Depending on your visa and what you are doing, you can stay for up to 6 months each time.
The UK Business Visa offers several benefits. Some of them are given below.
The UK has a range of business visas available, each designed for specific requirements and situations. The different types of UK Business Visas are given below.
The UK Innovator Founder visa is for entrepreneurs with fresh, workable, and expandable business ideas who want to launch and manage their firms in the UK. It offers a way to live in the UK for up to three years, with chances to extend your stay and settle down if your business does well. The most needed thing is a sign-off from a certified group that says your business plan is valid.
The UK Global Talent Visa (Business Stream) lets very skilled people in tech, arts, science, and other areas work in the UK. They do not need a job offer or a sponsor. This visa is for people who are leaders or could become leaders in their fields, and who can show they have great talent and potential. They can apply to stay in the UK for good after 3 or 5 years. The time depends on whether they are seen as having talent that is exceptional or only potential.
The UK Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa let a senior worker from a company abroad enter the UK to set up a UK branch or subsidiary. This visa is no longer available since April 11, 2022. It has been changed to the UK Expansion Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility route. People already in the UK with this visa can keep extending their stay and can apply to remain permanently after five years, if they meet the requirements.
The UK Business Visitor visa lets people come to the UK for a short time to do business. It usually lasts up to 6 months. But, it can also be given for 2, 5, or 10 years so people can visit more than once. Each visit can’t be longer than 6 months. This visa is for people who want to go to meetings or conferences, or see what business chances there are in the UK. It's not for people who want to find a job or start a business that will stay there for a long time.
The eligibility criteria for the UK Business Visa are given below.
The documents required to apply for the UK Business Visa are given below.
The application process for the UK Business Visa is given below.
Step 1: Check if you qualify: Find the correct visa type and make sure you meet all the rules.
Step 2: Get your paperwork ready: Collect all the documents you need.
Step 3: Apply online: Fill out the visa form on the official UK government site.
Step 4: Give your biometric data: Book an appointment to give your fingerprints and photo.
Step 5: Wait for a response: After you apply, wait for the visa people to decide. It usually takes three weeks for applications from outside the UK.
Detailed information about the application fees for UK Business Visa is given below.
Visa Type |
Application Fee (Outside UK) |
Application Fee (Inside UK) |
Innovator Founder Visa |
£1,274 |
£1,590 |
Global Talent Visa |
£623 |
£623 |
Sole Representative Visa |
£610 |
£704 |
Business Visitor Visa |
£127 |
NA |
Detailed information about the processing times for various types of UK Business Visa is given below.
Visa Type |
Application Location |
Processing Time |
Innovator Founder Visa |
Outside the UK |
3 weeks |
Inside the UK |
8 weeks |
|
Global Talent Visa |
Outside the UK |
3 weeks |
Inside the UK |
8 weeks |
|
Sole Representative Visa |
Outside the UK |
3 weeks |
Inside the UK |
8 weeks |
|
Business Visitor Visa |
Outside the UK |
3 weeks |
Yes, family members can be included in a UK business visa application. Usually, the primary person's spouse or partner and children under 18 can be added as dependents. These family members must ask for their own visas as dependents of the main person.
Some business visas let you apply to remain in the UK for an unlimited time (called Indefinite Leave to Remain, or ILR):
Once you have ILR, you can apply to become a British citizen if you meet the rules about how long you have lived in the UK.
Y-Axis is a trusted immigration consultancy in the UK with more than 25 years of experience helping business owners and investors with UK Business Visas. Our team offers complete support so your application goes smoothly.
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