Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor Visa
The UK Permitted Paid Engagement visitor visa (PPE visa) allows specialists to enter the UK for a short period of time to undertake specific, pre-approved paid engagements.
Nexis Law has experienced immigration lawyers who have an amazing track record of successful visa applications. You can contact us in person, over the phone, or online for assistance.
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- What is a permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
- What are the requirements for UK permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
- Who can apply for the UK permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
- What documents are required for UK permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
- What is the financial requirement?
- Can you rely on third-party support?
- What is the processing time for a PPE Visa?
- How much is the visa fee?
- What is the visa duration?
- What right to work do you have under a permitted paid engagement visa?
- What is not allowed whiles you are in the UK on Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor Visa?
- What is allowed while on UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor Visa?
- Can I come on this visa without an invitation?
- Apply for the permitted paid engagement visa
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What is a permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
The PPE visa category is designed for individuals who are experts in their field, such as academics, specialist researchers, artists, performers, and news broadcasters. This visa allows experts to enter the UK for up to 1 month the enables them to undertake a paid engagement related to their expertise and occupation.
The Permitted Paid Engagement – PPE Visa UK allows visitors to engage in activities such as public speaking, chairing a meeting, or attending a conference. However, if you are coming to the UK under one of the expert categories you are not allowed to bring your family, access public funds, extend your visa, or take on any work that is not related to your specific field. The work you are permitted to do will be outlined on your visa once it has been granted.
The UK Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor Visa is for a specific purpose only it does not lead to settlement in the UK. If you are planning to visit as part of a group each individual must make a separate application for each engagement, even if they are part of a group. This visa category is limited in scope and is not intended for individuals who are seeking employment or who wish to engage in long-term work in the UK.
What are the requirements for UK permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
To qualify for the UK Permitted Paid Engagement visa you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be 18 years old or over;
- Your intended stay in the UK should not exceed 1 month;
- You must have received a formal invitation from a UK-based organisation. The invitation must be for a pre-arranged event or engagement related to your expertise, qualifications, and main job in your home country;
- You must be able to demonstrate that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit;
- You must have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable expenses related to your trip, including travel, accommodation, and maintenance costs, without working or accessing public funds;
- You must have the means to pay for your return or have someone funding your visit;
- You must provide proof of your business or other intended activities in the UK, as per the Visitor visa rules;
- Your application must not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.
These requirements may vary based on your circumstances. If you are travelling from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, the rules for entering the UK may be different.
Who can apply for the UK permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
A Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) is open to individuals in a range of professional fields, including arts, entertainment, sports, education, law, aviation, and fashion.
The professional from the following fields can apply for the PPE visa:
- Professional Artists, Entertainers, and Musicians
- Professional Sportspersons
- Examiners and Lecturers
- Designated Air Pilot Examiners
- Qualified Solicitors / Lawyers
If you are applying for a PPE visa from one of these fields you must be able to demonstrate that the activity you will be engaged with is directly related to your profession and you will also have to demonstrate that you have been invited by a UK-based organisation, representative, or broadcaster.
Professional artists, entertainers, and musicians
If you are applying as a Professional artist, entertainer, or musician you must be able to demonstrate that this is your full-time profession and you are able to provide documentary evidence of the same, these can include publicity material, media coverage, proof of recent performances etc.
Professional sportspersons
To apply as a professional sportsperson, you must demonstrate that you are an established professional in your field. You must also provide evidence such as media coverage and awards and provide proof for the purpose of the visit like an interview, training session etc.
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Examiners and lecturers
You may also be eligible to visit the UK under a Permitted Paid Engagement visa to examine students, participate in selection panels, or give paid lectures. If you are an examiner or lecturer to be able to apply under PPE you must have an invitation from a UK-based higher education institution, research organisation, or an arts organisation.
Designated air pilot examiners
As a designated air pilot examiner, you can apply under the PPE visa to travel to the UK to assess UK-based pilots for aviation regulatory requirements of other countries. However, in order to qualify under this category, you must be invited by an approved training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Qualified solicitors / lawyers
Qualified solicitors / Lawyers can apply for a UK PPE visitor visa this can be to represent a private client at the court hearing or to represent under any other legal matter. Being a qualified Solicitor/ Lawyer if you are applying under this route, you should have an invitation from your client.
What documents are required for UK permitted paid engagement visitor visa
The main documents that you would require to prepare your application for a UK Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visitor visa are as follows:
- You must have a valid passport or travel document that covers the duration of your visit.
- You must also provide a written invitation from a UK-based organisation, institution, or client, these can be:
- An organisation in the creative arts or entertainment industry
- A sports organisation, representative, or a broadcaster
- A higher education institution
- A research organisation
- An aviation training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority
- A client, in the case of solicitors/ lawyers
- To ensure that your visit is directly related to your area of expertise and qualifications in your home country, you may need to present a letter from your employer or other supporting documents.
- Depending on the nature of your activities in the UK, you may be required to provide additional documentation.
Additionally, if any of the documents required are not in English or Welsh, you will need to provide a certified translated copy of the document.
What is the financial requirement?
To apply under the UK Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visit visa you must demonstrate that you have enough funds to pay for your reasonable cost towards this visa these include travel, living expenses, and housing costs without claiming any public funds. To show that you meet these requirements the funds must be held in a recognised financial institution.
Can you rely on third-party support?
Yes you can rely on third party support to meet the costs of your travel, maintenance and accommodation. The third party must have a genuine professional or personal relationship with you.
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What is the processing time for a PPE Visa?
The decision time for PPE visa application is within 3 weeks from the date of application. However, the exact time it takes to get a decision may vary depending on your location and may be subject to priority (5 working day decision) and super-priority (1 working day decision) service availability.
You will receive the decision on your application through email or a letter, which will provide instructions further on what steps to take next.
How much is the visa fee?
The visa application fee for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, also known as a PPE Visa, is £100 for a stay of up to 1 month. This fee covers the cost of processing your UKVI application through the Home Office.
Depending upon your location, you may be eligible to apply for a priority service for an additional fee of £500 and a super priority service with an additional fee of £800.
What is the visa duration?
The UK permitted paid engagement (PPE) visit visa is valid for up to 1 month only.
What right to work do you have under a permitted paid engagement visa?
Once you are granted a permitted paid engagement visa you are only allowed to participate in paid engagement which you specified as part of your application. Payments are allowed under this visa category, however, this route is strictly for brief engagements only.
What is not allowed whiles you are in the UK on Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor Visa
If you are entering the UK on a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visa there are certain activities that you are not allowed to do, these are as follows:
You cannot:
- Engage in any paid work which is not related to your area of expertise
- Pursue formal studies
- Reside in the UK beyond the validity of your leave for an extended period of time
- Receive and public funds
- Transit through the UK to another country
- Enter into a marriage or register a civil partnership
You must not:
- Intend to live in the UK for extended periods through frequent visits or by making the UK your main residence
- Undertake any prohibited activities.
What is allowed while on UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor Visa?
Under the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor Visa, you are allowed to participate in paid engagements and events in the UK, these should be the activities that are specified as part of your application.
This visa also allows an individual to take part in activities that are typically permitted under the standard visitor visa.
Professional sportspeople: If you are a professional Sportsperson, you can receive payment for participating in a sports activity which is directly related to your profession.
Qualified Lawyer: As a qualified lawyer/ Solicitor you can take payment from your client to represent them in the UK in legal proceedings such as court or tribunal hearings, arbitration, or any other forms of legal dispute resolution.
Lecturer: If you are granted this visa as a lecturer, you can receive payment for giving lectures about your area of expertise.
Academic examiners or assessors: As an academic examiner or assessor you can receive payment for examining or assessing students, chairing, or participating in the selection panels.
Designated Air Pilot Examiners: Air pilot examiners can receive payment for examining UK-based air pilots to ensure that they meet the aviation regulatory requirements of your country.
Can I come on this visa without an invitation?
Subject to your nationality you may be exempt from an invitation from a UK-based organisation. Therefore, it is important to check if a visa is required before going through the application process. Where under some nationalities you may need to apply for a permitted paid engagement visitor visa, while others may be exempt i.e., you may be able to visit the UK for up to a month without a visa.
If a visa is not required, you will need to get your passport stamped by a Border Force officer upon your entry into the UK. You will not be able to use the ePassport gates for this process.
Apply for the permitted paid engagement visa
The application for a permitted paid engagement visitor visa must be made online, once you have submitted your online application, you will have to book and appointment at a visa application centre to provide your biometric information and any supporting documents that you have not uploaded through the online portal can be submitted at the application centre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can invite you for UK permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
You can be invited to the UK on a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visa by a UK-based
- Organisation
- Institute
- A client
- Agent or agency or
- A broadcaster
This invitation can be from a variety of organisations in the creative arts or entertainment industries, sports organisations, higher education institutions, research organisations, arts organisations such as museums, theatres, art galleries aviation training organisations regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, or from a client if you are a qualified Solicitor/Lawyer.
Can I switch jobs while on the visa?
You cannot switch jobs under a PPE visitor visa. You can only undertake the paid work that is specified on your visa application.
Can I switch to another visa category?
No, you are not allowed to switch from a PPE visitor visa to any other visa category.
Can I study while on a PPE visa?
No, you are not allowed to study if you are entering the UK as a PPE visitor.
Can I take an employment or start a business on a permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
Under a PPE visa category, you are not permitted to take employment, start or manage a business, participate in work placement or internship, or provide or sell any goods or services in the UK.
Can you bring your family members on a permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
No, you cannot bring your dependents along on a PPE visa. Your family members can however apply separately for a standard visitor visa.
Can I extend the permitted paid engagement visitor visa?
No, PPE visa cannot be extended it is only granted for 1 month. If you wish to visit the UK for a longer period of time you can apply under other visitor visa categories.
Is there an English Language requirement for permitted paid engagement visa?
There is no English Language requirement under the permitted paid engagement visitor visa.