Comprehensive Guide to UK Business Visitor Visa Types

The UK is one of the most business-friendly, capitalist countries in the world. The country is full of home-grown businesses and multinational companies, and this is because of the business-positive environment, rules, and regulations in the country. This is one of the reasons why so many entrepreneurs also look to get a UK startup visa and start a business or expand their business into the UK. This is just one type. There are many types of UK visa that you can look into if you are looking to do business in the UK. The following blog will enlighten you on the different business visas and the requirements and application process for them.

Different Types of Business Visas

Innovator Visa

If you have a different kind of business idea that has not been done before, you can qualify to get an innovator visa. But there are certain conditions. You should have a business idea and plan that is completely unique and that has not been done before. The other condition is that you must present this idea in front of an endorsing body and should gain their approval for this business. Other general conditions for this business investor visa UK are:

1. You should be of legal age i.e. 18 years or above.
2. You should be fluent in the English language at the B2 level.
3. You must have a strong endorsement from the Endorsing Body.
4. You must have at least £50,000 as funds for investments.
5. Your funding should have come from a legitimate source.
6. You must have enough funds in savings to manage your stay, food, and travel in the UK.

Startup Visa

If you have prior experience starting and successfully running a business in your home country or any other country, and you have an excellent business idea that is unique and has a high chance of success in the UK, you can come to the UK by obtaining a Startup Visa. What separates this visa from the innovator visa is that you don’t require to have investment funds ready to get this visa. But, just like other UK business visa types, there are some conditions you need to fulfil like:

• You should be of legal age i.e. 18 years or above.
• You should be fluent in the English language at the B2 level.
• You must have a strong endorsement from the Endorsing Body.
• You must have excellent business skills that will help you start and run a successful business in the UK.
• You must have enough funds in savings to manage your stay, food, and travel in the UK.

Tier 2 Visa

This is a company-sponsored visa. There are thousands of jobs in the UK sponsored by some of the biggest companies in the world. The current number is more than 37,000 jobs, but this number is subject to change as many people get their UK b1 visa requirements right and apply for these jobs. The requirements for landing a tier visa are:

• You should be of legal age i.e. 18 years or above.
• You should be fluent in the English language at the B2 level.
• You must have the right qualifications for the job being offered.
• You have cleared the interview and have a sponsorship offer from the company in question.

Documents Required to Apply for a UK Business Visa

The following is a general list of documents that you will need for your UK business visitor visa. The list can be a little different based on the type of visa you are applying for:

1. Valid passport having a long enough validity exceeding your last day stay in the UK. Generally, this validity period has to be a minimum of 6 months. Your passport also serves as your ID.
2. Passport-size pictures in adherence to the UK
3. Financial proof showing that you can stay, travel, and manage meals in the UK and fly back to your home country in case you miss your return flight.
4. Your travel history and itinerary and a detailed list of all the business activities you will be doing in the UK.
5. In the case of a sponsored visa, you will need documents proving your sponsorship by a UK-based company for the visa.

Application Procedure to Follow for a UK Visa

Once all your UK business visit visa requirements are in order, you will have to start with the visa procedure. Here is how it goes:

1. Gather all the documents stated above and get your visa application form online. Fill out the form with all the right information.
2. Take the form and documents to the visa centre nearest to you and submit them to the proper authorities.
3. You also have to submit your biometrics and pay the visa fees. This fee is non-refundable, so in case your visa gets rejected, you won’t get the money back.
4. You will be interviewed for the visa. Once this interview is done, you will hear about your visa in a few days. In case of rejection, you can appeal within a stipulated period.

Note – Provisions in UK EFTA trade relations may aid certain types of UK business visas, facilitating business activity in the UK for professionals and entrepreneurs from partner nations. Getting a business visitor visa UK is a great way to visit the country and take advantage of the business-positive atmosphere of the country. The C visit visa UK multiple entry will let you enter the UK multiple times, offering flexibility for your specific business requirements. Follow the requirements and procedures above to get your visa and start a successful business in the UK.