Permitted Paid Engagement Visa
For the purpose of visiting a UK-based client or organisation.
This visa is applicable where you need to visit the UK for a paid engagement where you have been invited as an expert in your profession by a UK-based organisation or client.
How we can help
We have experience of preparing successful applications on behalf of our clients. We pride ourselves on the presentation of our applications to the Home Office. You can be assured that your application process will be managed in a professional and organised manner.
Permitted Paid Engagement Visa FAQs
Is the work I plan to engage in while in the UK permitted?
You can:
- as a professional artist, entertainer or musician
- as a professional sportsperson
- as a qualified lawyer – to represent a client
- to give a lecture or series of lectures
- as an academic – to be a student examiner or assessor
- as an air pilot examiner
- Check if what you’re being paid to do in the UK is allowed on the gov.uk website.
- undertake paid work unrelated to your main overseas job or area of expertise
- study
- live in the UK for extended periods
- claim public funds (benefits)
- pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
- marry or register a civil partnership or give notice of a marriage or civil partnership
Am I eligible?
You must be able to demonstrate the following:
- A formal invitation from a UK-based organisation for your attendance at a pre-arranged event or another sanctioned engagement.
- The event or engagement should directly align with your expertise, qualifications, and primary occupation in your home country.
- Age Verification: You must be 18 years or older.
- Your visit to the UK should not exceed 1 month.
- Commitment to departure: You must provide assurance that you will leave the UK upon the conclusion of your visit.
- Financial Self-Sufficiency: You should be capable of supporting yourself during your trip, or you should have funding from another source for financial support.
- Return or Onward Journey: You should be able to cover the expenses of your return or onward journey, or have funding from another party for this purpose.
- Temporary Stay: It is essential that you do not intend to reside in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, nor make the UK your primary residence.
What documents will I need to prepare?
To enter the UK, you are required to possess a passport or travel document valid for the entirety of your stay.
- An organisation in the creative arts or entertainment industries
- A sports organisation, agent, or broadcaster
- A higher education institution
- A research organization
- An aviation training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority
- A client, if you work as a lawyer
What invitation and documents must I have as a professional artist, entertainer or musician?
You must have an invitation from a UK-based:
- creative organisation, such as a gallery, university arts faculty, a school or events venue
- agent or agency
- broadcaster
The event or engagement must directly align with your primary professional occupation.
You are required to demonstrate that you are an established in your home country. This can be evidenced by:
- Published works showcasing your talent.
- Publicity materials highlighting recent performances, screenings, concerts, talks, readings, or exhibitions.
- Media coverage and reviews pertaining to your artistic endeavours.
- Recognition through awards received for your contributions to your field.
What invitation and documents must I have as a professional sports person?
To proceed, you must obtain an invitation from a UK-based entity, including:
- A sports organisation responsible for organising or hosting sporting events or matches.
- An agent or agency representing sporting professionals.
- A broadcaster involved in sports-related content.
Moreover, the event or engagement should directly align with your primary professional occupation in sports.
To demonstrate your eligibility, you need to show that you are an established sportsperson in your home country. This may include providing proof of recent:
- Performances,
- Awards,
- Media coverage.
What invitation and documents must I have as a qualified lawyer?
You can receive payment from a client to act as their representative in the UK during legal proceedings, including court or tribunal hearings, arbitration, or other forms of legal dispute resolution. Additionally, you can be compensated for visits to the UK specifically for preparation related to these hearings.
To proceed, you must possess an invitation from your client, indicating that you have been requested to represent them in the UK. Furthermore, you are required to provide confirmation of your right of audience or ‘temporary call.’
Your eligibility hinges on demonstrating your qualification as a lawyer, which may involve presenting documents such as a practicing certificate or a certificate of good standing.
What invitation and documents must I have as a lecturer?
You can be paid for delivering a lecture or series of lectures within your area of expertise. However, taking on a full-time or part-time teaching position for the host organisation is not permitted.
To proceed, you must obtain an invitation from a UK-based entity, including:
- A higher education institution
- A research organization
- An arts organisation, such as a museum, theatre, art gallery, arts festival, or another arts venue
Your expertise and employment must be directly relevant to the lectures you plan to give. To establish your qualifications, you may provide:
- A letter from your current employer confirming your workplace and area of expertise
- Examples of your published work
- Evidence of previous lectures you have delivered
If your intended lecture topic is not directly related to your current role, you may be required to submit evidence such as:
- Documentation of previous employment or posts in the relevant area
- Publications on the subject
- Other recognised qualifications
If you are semi-retired and earning income from giving regular lectures, you are eligible to visit for a permitted paid event or engagement. However, this is not applicable if you are fully retired.
What invitation and documents must I have as an academic examiner or assessor?
You can receive payment for specific activities, including examining or assessing students and chairing or participating in selection panels.
To proceed, you must secure an invitation from a UK higher education institution or a UK-based research or arts organization.
Your eligibility is contingent on the relevance of your overseas work to the role for which you’ve been invited. You are required to demonstrate your high qualifications in your area of expertise, which may include providing:
- A letter from your current employer confirming your workplace and area of expertise
- Examples of your published work
- Evidence of previous lectures you have delivered
If you are semi-retired and earning income from regular examination work, you are permitted to visit for a permitted paid event or engagement. However, this option is not available if you are fully retired.
What invitation and documents must I have as an air pilot examiner?
You can receive payment for examining UK-based air pilots to ensure they meet the national aviation regulatory requirements of your country.
To proceed, you must secure an invitation from a UK-based approved training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Your eligibility requires you to demonstrate full-time employment overseas with your country’s national aviation authority.
How much does this visa cost?
The fees charged by Home Office can be found on their official website here.
Can I bring my family members?
If you intend to bring family members with you, each individual must apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
If your partner and child are unable to apply for themselves, you have the option to submit a Standard Visitor visa application on their behalf. However, each family member must attend their individual appointment at a visa application centre
How long is the visa valid for?
The visa is usually valid for 6 months. You will need to conduct your paid engagement within the first month of arriving.
Will I need to submit my biometric information?
Yes. You will need to attend an appointment at your nearest visa centre to have your photograph taken and to submit your fingerprints. This is for your visa.
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