Many UK business owners are unaware of the immigration rules that apply when they want to bring in foreign nationals for short-term business activities. A common question is: “Can I hire someone who’s in the UK on a Visitor Visa?”
The short and direct answer is no. A UK Visitor Visa (officially called the Standard Visitor Visa) does not allow foreign nationals to work while they are in the UK. This includes:
- Paid employment.
- Unpaid work or volunteering.
- Work placements or internships.
- Providing services to your business.
Engaging someone on a Visitor Visa in work activities exposes your business to serious legal risks, including fines, criminal charges, reputational damage, and potential Home Office investigations.
This article explains:
- What Visitor Visa holders are allowed (and not allowed) to do.
- The legal risks for business owners.
- What you need to check before engaging with overseas visitors.
- How to keep your business compliant and safe from enforcement action.
What is a UK Visitor Visa?
A Standard Visitor Visa allows non-UK nationals to visit the UK for up to six months for reasons such as tourism, family visits, attending business meetings or conferences, or receiving private medical treatment.
However, this visa does not permit the holder to work in the UK. That includes:
- Paid work for a UK business.
- Unpaid work placements or internships.
- Providing operational services to your business.
- Volunteering or “helping out” in any capacity.
Even if the visitor is working informally, without pay, or just “shadowing” a staff member, it may still count as illegal working under UK law.
Can Visitors Do Any Business Activities?
Yes, but the activities are very limited.
A visitor may:
- Attend business meetings and internal briefings.
- Go to conferences, seminars, and networking events.
- Negotiate contracts.
- Conduct site inspections.
- Receive internal training (as long as they’re not providing services in return).
However, if the activity resembles working for your business in any operational sense, it becomes illegal working.
A visitor must not perform any task that could be interpreted as work, even if unpaid.
Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visa — For Paid Short-Term Assignments
If a foreign expert is coming to the UK to undertake a paid one-off engagement — such as delivering a lecture, performing at an event, or acting as a legal expert in proceedings — they need a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor Visa.
This is a separate visa that must be applied for before travel. A Standard Visitor Visa does not allow payment for work under any circumstances, except to cover reasonable expenses like travel and accommodation.
As a business owner, you must confirm the individual holds the correct PPE visa before engaging them in any paid capacity.
What Are the Risks of Getting It Wrong?
Employing or engaging someone on a Visitor Visa in work activities is a breach of UK immigration law. The risks include:
- Civil Penalties — fines of up to £20,000 per illegal worker.
- Criminal Prosecution — including unlimited fines and up to 5 years in prison if you knowingly hire someone illegally.
- Sponsor Licence Impact — if you are, or become, a licensed sponsor, non-compliance can result in your licence being revoked.
- Reputational Damage — businesses caught employing illegal workers are often publicly named by the Home Office.
- Compliance Audits — illegal working breaches can trigger long-term compliance scrutiny from immigration authorities.
Importantly, “I didn’t know” is not a valid defence. Under UK law, business owners are responsible for preventing illegal working. If you fail to carry out reasonable checks, you are still liable.
For example, a small business allowed a visiting contact to “help out for a few days” during their trip. The business was fined £20,000 after a Home Office inspection confirmed the visitor’s visa did not allow work.
Right to Work Checks: What You Must Do
If you are hiring someone as an employee, you have a legal duty to carry out a formal Right to Work check before they start.
For visitors attending your premises for non-working purposes (e.g., a meeting), you do not need to perform a formal right to work check.
However, you must still verify their visa type and ensure they are not performing activities beyond what is allowed. Failing to exercise basic due diligence — even if no formal check is legally required — may still expose you to enforcement action if the visitor breaches their visa conditions.
It is good practice to:
- Request sight of their visa documentation.
- Record why you are satisfied the individual’s activities are within permitted visitor activities.
- Ensure staff supervising visitors understand what is and isn’t allowed.
What If You Want to Employ a Foreign National?
If you need someone to work for your business in the UK, they must apply for a visa that allows employment. Common options include:
- Skilled Worker Visa — for long-term employment.
- Temporary Worker Visas — for short-term assignments.
- Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes — such as Senior or Specialist Worker visas for intra-company transfers.
Visitor Visa holders cannot switch into these routes from within the UK. They must return to their home country and apply for a work visa before starting employment.
Steps Business Owners Should Take Now
1. Check the Visa Type — Always confirm what visa the individual holds. Do not assume.
2. Be Clear on Activities — If they are doing anything that benefits your business (beyond attending a meeting or seminar), stop and review.
3. Do Not Allow Informal Volunteering — Even unpaid “help” counts as illegal working.
4. Document Your Due Diligence — Keep written records of what steps you took to check visa status and permitted activities.
5. Train Your Team — Ensure your managers and staff are aware of visitor visa restrictions.
6. Get Legal Advice If Unsure — Immigration rules are complex. When in doubt, pause the engagement and seek advice.
Conclusion
If a foreign national holds a Visitor Visa, they are not allowed to work for your business. The restrictions are strict, and engaging someone in work activities — even informally — carries significant legal and financial risks.
Business owners must ensure they understand the limitations of visitor visas, check visa types, and implement simple due diligence steps to avoid enforcement action. If work is needed, you must consider the correct work visa routes.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor Visa | A UK visa allowing visits for tourism, family, or short-term business activities. It does not permit work. |
| Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor Visa | A visa allowing certain professionals to undertake short-term paid engagements in the UK, such as speakers and performers. |
| Right to Work Check | A legal check employers must carry out to confirm a worker’s right to work in the UK. |
| Due Diligence Check | An internal business check to confirm a visitor’s visa status and the lawfulness of their activities. |
| Civil Penalty | A fine (up to £20,000) imposed on employers for illegal working breaches. |
| Global Business Mobility (GBM) | Visa routes for overseas businesses to send workers to the UK on temporary assignments. |
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| UK Government Visitor Visa Guidance | https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor |
| Immigration Rules Appendix V: Visitor | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor |
| Standard Visitor Visa Application Portal | https://www.gov.uk/apply-standard-visitor-visa |
| DavidsonMorris UK Visitor Visa Guide | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/uk-visitor-visa/ |
| DavidsonMorris Visitor Visa Application Guide | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/uk-visitor-visa-application/ |
| DavidsonMorris Standard Visitor Visa Overview | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/standard-visitor-visa/ |
| DavidsonMorris Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Guide | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/permitted-paid-engagement/ |
| Xpats.io UK Visitor Visa Overview | https://www.xpats.io/uk-visitor-visa/ |
Author
Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law.
Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services Limited - a Marketing & Content Agency for the Professional Services Sector.
