UK immigration to introduce business visit visas
May 29 2009 by Robbie Ragless
UK business visas will remain competitive
The UK immigration department has published a statement of intent that outlines plans to introduce a new business visit visa.
The new UK visa type is intended to ensure the UK remains a major business hub and the statement of intent hopes to clarify the business activities which can be carried out under the visa.
The following activities are covered by the business visit visa:
• Arranging deals, signing trade agreements or signing contracts
• Attending meeting and conferences
• Undertaking fact-checking or fact-finding missions, or checking goods
• Conducting promotional activities or site visits.
The new visitor visas are to be released in November 2009 and are intended to deter people who wish to abuse the UK visa system while supporting the UK as a destination of choice for businesses and visitors.
The UK business visa plans follow a consultation process published in December 2007, which led to proposals for reform of the visitors system set out in June 2008.
The visitor visas do not affect the UK points-based system which covers longer-term visas for people who want to live and work in the UK or study in the UK.
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