Visit the UK on a business trip

Check what to do if you’re visiting the UK for an unpaid business activity, for example attending an interview, meeting or conference.

The rules are different if you’re an expert in your profession and you’re being paid by a UK company to attend an event or engagement in the UK.

  1. Step 1 Check if you’re eligible

    Find out what activities you can do and how to prove your eligibility if you’re:

    You must meet the eligibility requirements even if you do not need a visa.

  2. Step 2 Check if you need a visa

    Depending on the country you're from, you might be able to visit the UK without a visa or by applying for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA).

    1. Check if you need a visa or an ETA to come to the UK

  3. Step 3 Apply for a visa

    1. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa if you're:

    A Standard Visitor visa costs £115 and allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

    If you are visiting the UK for a paid engagement or event (a ‘permitted paid engagement’), you must do the engagement in the first month.

  4. or Apply for an electronic travel authorisation

    1. Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA)

    An ETA costs £10 and allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months.

  5. or Apply for a family permit

    You may be able to visit on a family permit if you have a family member who is:

    • a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland
    • a Person of Northern Ireland
    • a British citizen
    1. Check if you can apply for a family permit

  6. Step 4 Check what you can bring with you

    1. Check what you can bring with you
    2. Check what food, animals or plants you can bring into the UK

  7. Step 5 Check what you need to show at the UK border

    1. Check what you need to show at the UK border