The permitted paid engagement visitor category allows applicants to come to the UK to carry out specific paid engagements for which they may receive payment.
The main requirements to be met are as follows:
- You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
- You do not intend to take up employment in the UK other than the permitted paid engagement.
- You have sufficient funds for the visit and throughout your stay.
- The activities you intend to carry out in the UK are permitted activities under the immigration rules.

How long is the visa granted for?
Applicants can apply to come to the UK for a period of up to six months and are required to leave the UK on or before this period. There is no option to extend the visa from within the UK. The permitted paid engagement must be carried out in the first month of the visit.
Other conditions
The engagement must be relevant to the applicant’s expertise, qualifications and main job in their home country. Applicants can be invited:
- As a professional artist, entertainer or musician to perform, give lectures, join judging panels or debate panels, talk about, present or launch their work to other professionals or the public.
- As a professional sportsperson to take part in a sporting event or activities that relate directly to their sporting profession and where invited by a sports organisation/agent or broadcaster.
- As a qualified lawyer - to represent a client where they have been invited by their client.
- To give a lecture or series of lectures about their area of expertise where invited by a UK based higher education institute, research organisation or arts organisation.
- To speak at a conference or seminar where the conference is relevant to their area of expertise and profession in their home country.
- As an academic - to be a student examiner or assessor where invited by a UK higher education institute or UK based research or arts organisation.
- As an air pilot examiner where they are examining UK based air pilots and have been invited by a UK based approved training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
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