The Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa is open to specific professionals and experts who want to travel to the UK for a paid engagement related to their expertise and occupation.

The Permitted Paid Engagement Visa route does not allow for settlement in the UK, and each visitor must make a separate application, even if they are traveling with companions.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa Requirements

To be eligible for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa, you must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that:

• To be considered, you must meet the requirement of being at least 18 years old.
• Being a visa national is a requirement (non-visa nationals can enter as a Visitor upon arrival at the UK border).
• Your purpose must be to engage in one or more permitted paid activities as outlined in the Immigration Rules.
• The paid engagement must be pre-arranged and supported by a formal invitation from a UK-based organization or client, relevant to your expertise and occupation abroad.
• The authorised paid activity must be finished within a month of arrival in the UK.
• Prohibited activities are not allowed during your stay.
• You must have enough funds to cover all reasonable expenses related to your visit, including travel, accommodation, and maintenance, without working or using public funds.
• Leaving the UK at the end of your visit is mandatory.
• Extended stays or making the UK your primary residence through frequent visits are not permitted.
• Your application should not be subject to refusal under the general grounds for refusal, and an Electronic Travel Authorisation may be required.

Requirement for Visa Nationals

A visa national is an individual who, due to their nationality, needs a Visit Visa to enter the UK as a Visitor. Visa nationals are generally required to apply for a Visit Visa before traveling to the UK.

The Home Office has issued a list of nationalities that must obtain a Visit Visa before traveling to the UK as a Visitor. This list contains some exceptions, which permit certain visa nationals to apply for entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK.

Non-visa nationals can typically apply for entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK. However, non-visa nationals must still meet the requirements for entry as a Visitor and should be prepared to explain, for instance, the purpose of their visit, how they will support themselves and find accommodation in the UK, and their return travel plans.

EU citizens are considered non-visa nationals and can enter the UK as a Visitor upon arrival without needing to apply for a Visit Visa.

In addition to assisting visa nationals with Visit Visa applications, our barristers regularly help non-visa nationals meet the requirements for entry as a Visitor upon arrival in the UK.

Eligible Paid Engagements for Qualification

Applications for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa are accepted from the professionals and experts specified.

• Skilled artists, performers, and musicians
• Professional athletes
• Educators and professors
• Certified aviation examiners
• Licensed attorneys
• Keynote speakers
• Accomplished artists, entertainers, and musicians
• Expert sports professionals
• Professors and scholars
• Accredited legal professionals

Additional Requirements for Permitted Paid Engagements

The eligible paid activity that you intend to pursue in the United Kingdom must be:

• Organized prior to your trip to the UK
• Stated as a component of your request for entry clearance or authorization to enter the UK
• Supported by an official invitation, as described earlier
• Pertaining to your field of specialization and job abroad
• Concluded within a 30-day timeframe following your arrival in the UK.

Requirement for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa when Leaving the UK

Furthermore, aside from proving to the Home Office your genuine intention to enter the UK for a permitted paid engagement, you must also demonstrate that you will depart the UK after your visit and will not reside in the country for prolonged periods by frequently visiting or making it your primary residence.

When evaluating your application, the Home Office will take into account various factors such as:

• Your immigration background, such as past visits to the UK and other nations
• Your financial situation, along with your family, social, and economic history
• Your connections to your current country of residence, both personal and economic

The Home Office may question the authenticity of your visit if you lack strong connections to your home country, have numerous family members in the UK, have a history of trying to mislead the Home Office in immigration matters, or if there are inconsistencies between your statements and those of your sponsor.

Financial Requirement for Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa

You must have enough money to pay for all reasonable expenses related to your visit (such as travel, living, and accommodation costs) without needing to work or use public funds.

Your funds must be kept in an authorized financial institution.

A third party may cover your travel, living, and accommodation expenses if they have a genuine personal or professional relationship with you, are not violating immigration laws, and can support you during your entire visit as a Visitor.

English Language Requirement for Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa

Applicants for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa do not need to meet an English language requirement.

Duration of Validity for Authorised Paid Engagement Visit Visa

Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visas are valid for 6 months, but it is essential to finish your permitted paid engagement within 30 days of your arrival in the UK.

Visa for Permitted Paid Engagement Visit with Work Authorisation

Permitted Paid Engagement Visitors are allowed to participate in the paid engagement that was disclosed in their entry clearance application. Nevertheless, the Home Office will verify that the PPE route is not being used repeatedly for temporary work. Despite the allowance for payment, the Permitted Paid Engagement pathway is specifically designed for brief engagements, with the visitor's main workplace required to be located outside of the UK.

This implies that Permitted Paid Engagement Visitors are not allowed to engage in other forms of employment, establish or manage a business as a self-employed individual, work for a UK-based organization or business, participate in a work placement or internship in the UK, or offer goods or services in the UK.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visitors can work remotely while in the UK, but remote work should not be the main purpose of their visit. The primary reason for visiting the UK should be to engage in a permitted activity, rather than specifically to work remotely from the UK.

Additionally, Permitted Paid Engagement Visitors can come to the UK to search for employment and attend job interviews. However, if they secure a job, they are required to leave the UK and apply for the appropriate entry clearance before starting work.

Fees for Visa Applications for Permitted Paid Engagement Visits

The current fee for submitting an application for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa via the Home Office stands at £115.