Choose and apply for a UK visa
There are a range of visas available for people visiting, working, and setting up a business in the UK.
Check if you need one
You may or may not need a visa, depending on your circumstances and planned business activities.
Check if you need a visa to visit the UK on GOV.UK
Visiting the UK for business
Standard Visitor visa
This visa lets you undertake some business activities (such as attending meetings, negotiating and signing contracts and work-related training) for up to 6 months.
Find more information and apply for a Standard Visitor visa on GOV.UK
View the full list of permitted activities for a standard visa on GOV.UK
Setting up a business
Innovator Founder visa
You can apply for this if you want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK. Your business or business idea must be endorsed by an approved organisation.
Find more information and apply for an Innovator Founder visa on GOV.UK
UK Expansion Worker visa
You can apply for this if you’re setting up a branch of an overseas business that hasn’t started trading in the UK yet.
Find more information and apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa on GOV.UK
Employing overseas staff
If you need to bring overseas staff to the UK, there’s a range of options available. You’ll also usually need a sponsor licence, in addition to a visa for the new employee.
Skilled Worker visa
This is open to workers who come to the UK to work in an eligible job with an approved employer.
Find more information and apply for a Skilled Worker visa on GOV.UK
Senior or Specialist worker visa
This is open to people who come to the UK to work in an eligible job at their employer’s UK branch. Workers should be at a senior executive or specialist level and on a temporary assignment.
Find more information and apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa on GOV.UK
Sponsor licences
As an employer you’ll usually need a sponsor licence to employ people from outside the UK.
Find more information and apply for a sponsorship licence on GOV.UK
Working in a highly skilled job
Global Talent visa
This is aimed at people who are internationally recognised as leaders, or potential leaders, in academia or research, arts and culture or digital technology.
Find more information and apply for a Global Talent visa on GOV.UK
Other UK visas
If none of these options meet your needs, there are other work visa routes available.
View the full list of UK work visa types on GOV.UK
Time it takes
Visa applications are usually processed within 3 weeks.
If an endorsement is needed, the process can take up to 7 weeks in total. If sponsorship is needed, this process plus the visa application can take around 11 weeks in total.
You can get a faster decision on your visa by using the UK Home Office’s priority visa service. If you are eligible for this, you’ll usually get a decision within 5 working days. You may also be able to use the super-priority service, which usually takes one or two working days.
Find more information on priority visa services on GOV.UK
Help and advice on visas
If you need support with your visa application, you can contact UK Visas and Immigration on GOV.UK
You can also find companies who can give specialist advice on visas in the Investment Support Directory