What do changes to the UK’s Visitor Rules mean for employers and businesses?

Changes which came into force on 31 January 2024 expand the activities people are allowed to undertake while visiting the UK on a Visitor visa or visa waiver – something that could be of interest to businesses and employers. 

What can a visitor now do in the UK?

The expanded visitor rules mean that:

• Any visitor will be able to work remotely from the UK in their overseas role, provided that was not the primary purpose of their visit. 

• Intracompany visitors will now be able to work directly with clients, where this is incidental to their employment overseas and to the delivery of a wider project by the UK branch of the same corporate group. It must not amount to offshoring of a project or service to their overseas employer.

• Legal professionals will be allowed a greater range of activities in the UK on any visits.

• Scientists, researchers and academics will have expanded opportunities to conduct research in the UK beyond their individual purposes.

• Pilots and cabin crew will be able to come to the UK as part of a Civil Aviation Authority-approved wet lease arrangement between March and October (which formalises an existing concession).

• Visitors will be able to undertake permitted paid engagements, including speaking at a conference, without the need for a special visa (where activities are arranged before travelling to the UK and completed within 30 days of arrival).

How long can a visitor stay in the UK?

Entry to the UK as a visitor is possible for up to six months at a time. However, a work visa may be required for just one day, unless the intended business activity is expressly permitted under the visitor rules. 

What does this mean for employers?

Employers’ travel policies should be updated in light of these new rules, which offer a degree of flexibility in the UK’s immigration system for temporary business activity (while access to the Skilled Worker route is being restricted).

The Visitor route is not a replacement for permission under the Skilled Worker,  Temporary Worker or other visa routes that permit work in the UK. It is essential that employers and individuals seek advice to ensure they have valid right-to-work documentation to cover them in the UK to prevent immigration risk. 

If in any doubt, please contact our Immigration Team for any advice or training in relation to your organisation's travel global mobility and remote working policies.