UK Visa Information for Conference Delegates

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities.

You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.

Depending on your nationality, you may not need a visa to visit the UK.  You should check if you need a visa before you apply.

What you need to do

1. Check if what you plan to do in the UK is allowed as a Standard Visitor.
2. Check you meet the eligibility requirements.
3. Check if you need to apply for a visa to visit the UK.
4. Apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one.

What you can and cannot do (‘permitted activities’)

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor:

• for tourism, for example on a holiday or vacation
• to see your family or friends
• to volunteer for up to 30 days with a registered charity
• to pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
• for certain business activities, for example attending a meeting or interview
• for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) as an expert in your profession, for example to give lectures or perform
• to take part in a school exchange program
• to do a recreational course of up to 30 days, for example a dance course
• to study, do a placement or take an exam
• as an academic, senior doctor or dentist
• for medical reasons

You cannot:

• do paid or unpaid work for a UK company or as a self-employed person, unless you’re doing a permitted paid engagement or event
• claim public funds (benefits)
• live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent or successive visits
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership - you’ll need to apply for a Marriage Visitor visa

Check you meet the eligibility requirements

You must have a passport or travel document to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.

You must be able to show that:

• you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
• you’re able to support yourself and your dependants during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
• you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
• you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home

Check if you need a visa to visit the UK

Depending on your nationality, you’ll either:

• have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel to the UK
• have to apply for an electronic travel authorization (ETA), which allows you to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa
• be able to visit the UK for up to 6 months without needing a visa or an ETA

You can check if you need a visa before you apply.

If you do not need a visa, you must still meet the Standard Visitor eligibility requirements to visit the UK. You may be asked questions at the UK border about your eligibility and the activities you plan to do.

If you’ve previously been refused entry to the UK or have a criminal record, you may want to apply for a Standard Visitor visa (even if you do not need one).

If you have to apply for a Standard Visitor visa

You must apply for a Standard Visitor visa online before you travel to the UK.

A Standard Visitor visa costs £127 for up to 6 months. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

If you visit the UK regularly, you can choose to apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead.

You can pass through the UK to another country on a Standard Visitor visa. If transiting is your only reason for coming to the UK, you can apply for a Visitor in Transit visa instead for £70.

Visit on business

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to do the following business activities:

• attend interviews, meetings, conferences and seminars
• negotiate and sign deals and contracts
• attend trade fairs to promote your business (you cannot sell things)
• get work-related training if you’re employed overseas and the training is not available in your home country
• give a one-off or short series of talks as long as they’re not for profit or a commercial event - you can only be paid for speaking at certain engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’)
• carry out site visits and inspections
• oversee the delivery of goods and services provided by a UK company to your overseas company or organization
• deliver training or share knowledge on internal projects with UK employees of the company you work for overseas
• install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on equipment, computer software and hardware, if your overseas company has a contract with a UK company or organization

You should:

• check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor
• check if you need a visa to visit the UK
• apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one

As a visitor, you cannot work for a UK company or as a self-employed person unless you’re coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement. You’ll need to apply for a work visa if you want to do any other paid or unpaid work that’s not included in the business activities on this page.

How to apply

• Applications are made online through the UK government’s official visa application system.
• You will usually need to attend a visa application centre to provide biometric information.
• Required documents may include a valid passport, evidence of funds, travel plans, and confirmation of conference registration.

Processing times

• Visa processing times vary by country and time of year.
• Delegates are strongly advised to apply well in advance of their intended travel date.

Invitation letters

If required for your visa application, the conference organizers can usually provide a letter of invitation or confirmation of registration. This letter does not guarantee visa approval.

Important note

Visa regulations can change, and requirements may differ depending on individual circumstances. Delegates are responsible for ensuring they hold the correct visa for travel to the UK.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the official UK government visa website or contact your nearest UK visa application centre.