You may be able to get a Permitted Paid Engagement visa if you have been invited to the UK as an expert in your profession.
- are invited by a UK-based organisation or client
- want to come to the UK to do specific paid work without having to be sponsored under the points-based visa system
- are from a country that is not in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
- meet the other eligibility requirements
You may not need to apply for a visa if you are from a certain country - check if you need this visa before you apply.
How long it will take
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
Example
You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.
Fees
A Permitted Paid Engagement visa costs £95.
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK for up to 1 month.
What you can and cannot do
You can be invited by a UK-based organisation or client to:
be a student examiner or assessor
take part in selection panels as a highly qualified academic if you’re invited by an education, arts or research organisation
give lectures at a higher education institution, as long as it’s not a part-time or full-time role
examine UK-based pilots so they meet the standards of the country you come from if you are invited by an approved UK training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority
provide advocacy in a particular area of law
take part in arts, entertainment or sporting activities including broadcasting
take part in fashion modelling assignments
You can also do minor activities related to your work or business overseas, such as attend meetings.
You cannot:
do specific paid work unrelated to your main job or area of expertise at home or sell merchandise, other than what’s allowed by your visa
extend this visa or switch to another visa
live in the UK for extended periods
get public funds
study for more than 30 days - studying cannot be the main reason for your visit
marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership
bring family members (‘dependants’) with you on your application - they must apply separately