United Kingdom business visa
There is no UK "business visa" to search for — the box does not exist. A business trip to Britain runs on the Standard Visitor visa, with business simply declared as your purpose. And for an Indian passport, there is no shortcut around it: you are not eligible for the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), there is no visa-on-arrival, so the visa must be granted before you board. Declared as a business visit, it covers meetings, conferences and seminars, negotiating and signing deals and contracts, attending trade fairs to promote your business (you cannot sell), and site visits and inspections — for a stay of up to 6 months.
The process splits in two: you complete and pay for the application online on GOV.UK, then attend a VFS Global visa application centre in India to give your biometrics — fingerprints and a photograph. Since 25 February 2026, approval no longer means a sticker in your passport. It means a digital eVisa linked to your passport and viewed through a UKVI online account. A decision usually lands within about three weeks of the biometric appointment. One line worth remembering: this visa lets you do business in the UK, not work in it — no employment with a UK company, no self-employment.
Who this visa is for
- ✓Indian passport holders travelling to the UK for short-term business — meetings, conferences, seminars or trade fairs
- ✓Employees or business owners negotiating or signing deals and contracts with a UK company
- ✓Professionals carrying out site visits and inspections, or overseeing delivery of goods and services from a UK supplier
- ✓Staff attending or delivering work-related training linked to an overseas employer
- ✓Applicants who can show funds to cover the trip and a clear intention to leave the UK at the end of the visit
- ✓Frequent business travellers who may prefer a long-term 2, 5 or 10-year visitor visa (maximum 6 months per visit)
Visa options for United Kingdom
Standard Visitor visa (business)
The route for short business trips of up to 6 months — meetings, conferences, trade fairs, contract negotiations and site visits. There is no separate UK "business visa"; the purpose is declared within this application.
Long-term Standard Visitor visa (2, 5 or 10 years)
A multiple-entry visitor visa for regular business travellers. It allows repeated visits over the validity period, with each stay limited to a maximum of 6 months.
Documents typically required
- ✓Passport valid for the whole trip, with a blank page; previous passports to show travel history
- ✓Confirmation of the online GOV.UK application and your VFS Global appointment
- ✓Personal and/or company bank statements showing funds to cover the trip
- ✓Invitation letter from the UK company or organisation stating the purpose, dates and who you will meet
- ✓Covering letter from your Indian employer or your own company confirming your role, the purpose of the trip and who is bearing the costs
- ✓Proof of employment or business — for example company registration/GST details and a leave-approval or role letter
- ✓Meeting schedule, itinerary, or conference/trade-fair registration
- ✓Evidence of ties to India (employment, business, property or family) showing you intend to return
- ✓Accommodation and return or onward travel details
Your exact checklist depends on your profile — we confirm it during your case analysis. Every visa decision rests with the embassy or consulate.
Indian nationals are not eligible for the UK ETA and must apply for the full Standard Visitor visa. Apply online on GOV.UK (official fee £135 for up to 6 months; long-term visas are £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 for 10 years), pay, then attend a VFS Global visa application centre in India for biometrics. You can apply up to 3 months before you travel; priority and super-priority decision services are sometimes offered, but availability for visit visas is limited. Since 25 February 2026, a successful application produces a digital eVisa accessed through a UKVI online account rather than a passport sticker — keep your passport details updated in that account before you fly.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for a UK business trip?
Yes. You must apply for and be granted a Standard Visitor visa before you travel. India is not on the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) list, and there is no visa-on-arrival — so nothing can be sorted at the airport.
Is there a separate UK "business visa"?
No. Business visits run on the Standard Visitor visa. You declare business as your purpose and back it up with documents like an invitation letter and a meeting schedule. It does not let you work for a UK company or be self-employed.
How long can I stay, and how long does a decision take?
A Standard Visitor visa allows up to 6 months per visit. A decision usually comes within about three weeks — roughly 15 working days — of your biometric appointment, though this shifts with application volumes.
Do you guarantee the visa?
No — no one honestly can. The decision rests entirely with UK Visas and Immigration (the Home Office). What we do is give you a frank assessment of your profile and make your application as strong and complete as possible. Over the last 2-3 years our applications have had a 97% success rate.