UK Business Immigration and Visas

There are a number of ways that allow you to come to the UK under Business Immigration rules.

You can come for a business visit for mostly any purpose other than to work. You will need an official invitation from the Company in the UK and a variety of other evidence depending upon the purpose of your visit.


You can come to open a branch of the company you work for over here or to be that company's sole representative in the UK. To start a branch office in the UK for an overseas business, first use the following links to find the information relevant to you as either the Employer or Employee:


You can come on an intra-company transfer from your company to an existing branch of that company in the UK. This will require that you perform a senior role for the Employer and that you have worked for the Employer for some time.


You can come to undertake a contract for a UK client whilst you are in the employ of an overseas company. This can be quite straightforward but does require specific evidence to be presented.


There are a number of ways to set up a new business in the UK:

• Investing in a UK Business
• Entrepreneurs Starting a New Business in the UK
• Innovators Starting a New Business in the UK
• Eastern Europeans Starting a Business in the UK
• Self-Employed IT Professionals Starting a Business in the UK

• UK HSMP Visa - Highly Skilled Migrant Program
• Training and Work Experience Scheme - TWES
• UK Skills Shortage List

Depending on the nature of your business and where you are coming from, there are different types of business you can set up including:

• Limited Company
• Partnership
• Self Employed Sole Trader

UK Business immigration rules, in most cases, require a comprehesive and credible business plan illustrating that the market exists for you, you have the skills and experience to exploit that market and, ideally, that you will be creating jobs.