UK announces new business visit visa

The UK Government has published detailed plans for the creation of a new visit visa for business. The aim is to clarify business activities which can be conducted by holders of this visa and ensure that the UK continues to be a global business hub.

The Statement of Intent provides further details in advance of the changes of how the business visit visa will work. It defines the following activities possible under the new visa which are, attending meetings and conferences, arranging deals, negotiating or signing trade agreement or contracts, undertaking fact-finding missions, checking details or goods and conducting site visits and promotional activities.

The aim is to ensure that the UK stays open and attractive to business and remains the top destination in Europe for inward investment (and second globally only to the US).

The Visitor Consultation, published in December 2007, proposed three principal categories of visitor, business, tourist and sponsored family. For the first time, this consultation process included engagement with foreign communities abroad. The government set out the results of its consultation and proposals for reform of the visitor routes in June 2008.

The UK Government also set out the key features of the new visas for athletes women and entertainers, recognising the important contribution these individuals make to British cultural and sporting life. The three new visitor visas will be launched in late November.

The proposal is part of the Government's review of the short-term migration system for visitors, to underpin UK as a destination of choice for business and visitors, whilst deterring those who would seek to abuse the migration system.