Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

Professional Sportspersons or Athletes

A professional sportsperson may qualify for the PPE visa if they intend to enter the UK to take part in a sporting event, give an interview, discuss a contract, or carry out other activities related to their profession.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they are an established sportsperson in their home country, with documentary evidence such as media coverage, awards, and recent participation in sporting events. Also, they must be invited by a professional sports organisation, agent, or broadcaster before they can apply.

Professional Artists, Entertainers, and Musicians

Professional artists may qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa if they intend to enter the UK to give a paid performance or present their work to other professionals or the public. They can also apply to take part in judging or debate panels and attend conferences related to their work.

Performers must have been invited by a UK-based creative arts or entertainment organisation or agent to apply for this visa,

They must be able to show that what they intend to do in the UK is their full-time profession. Some acceptable evidence includes publicity material for performances, media coverage and reviews, and awards or proof of previous performance.

Members of the production team of an entertainer, such as technical, personal, and support staff, are not qualified to apply for the permitted paid engagement visa. However, they can enter the UK through the Creative Worker Visa route.

Guest Lecturers

A lecturer may qualify if they have been invited by a recognised academic institution in the UK to give a lecture or series of lectures in their area of expertise. Applicants must not take a part-time or full-time teaching position from the host institution.

The applicants’ work in their home country must be related to the lecture or lectures they intend to give in the UK. They must show proof of their expertise, such as a letter from an employer confirming where they work, examples of published work, and evidence of lectures they have previously given.

An applicant that intends to give a lecture not related to their current work must provide evidence of any previous work done in that area, publications in that subject, and other recognised qualifications.

Furthermore, retired lecturers that do not earn an income from giving paid lectures will not be qualified to apply.

Academic Examiners or Assessors

Highly qualified academics may apply for the PPE visa if they intend to enter the UK to examine a student’s knowledge in their subject area as part of a selection panel or a quality assurance team.

The student examiner must be invited by a UK higher education institution, research organisation, or arts institution, and the role they intend to play must be related to their work in their home country.

They must be able to prove their qualifications through a letter from their employer and evidence of published work or lectures given in their field.

Designated Air Pilot Examiners

Foreign nationals who are designated air pilot examiners can enter the UK with a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa to assess UK-based pilots to ensure they meet the piloting requirements of the examiner’s home country.

Individuals applying through this visa route must have been invited by an approved UK training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. They must also show that they work full-time with their country’s national aviation authority.

Expert lawyers

A qualified lawyer may represent a client using the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa route. They can apply for this visa to provide dispute resolutions through arbitration, court hearings, or other legal proceedings within the UK.

Applicants must have a written invitation from a client and must provide confirmation of their right to offer legal proceedings on behalf of their client or a ‘temporary call’.

The following activities are not allowed under the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa:

• Engaging in paid work unrelated to the applicant’s job or area of expertise.
• Start your own business
• Pursuing studies in the UK.
• Residing in the UK for extended periods.
• Claiming public funds or benefits.
• Using the UK as a transit point to another country.
• Marrying or registering a civil partnership or giving notice of marriage or civil partnership.
• Bringing family members or dependents along. Each family member must apply for a Standard Visitor Visa.

To qualify for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, you must demonstrate that:

• You are 18 years or older.
• You have a formal invitation from a UK-based organisation for a pre-arranged event or permitted engagement.
• The event or paid engagement relates to your expertise, qualifications, and job in your home country.
• Your visit to the UK will be one month at maximum.
• You intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit.
• You have sufficient funds to support yourself during your trip or have financial support from someone else.
• You can cover the costs of your return or onward journey or have funding from a sponsor.
• You will not reside in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, nor make the UK your main home.

As part of the requirement of the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, you must have enough funds to cover all expenses related to your trip, including travel, accommodation, and living costs, without relying on public funds or working.

The funds should be held in an acceptable financial institution, and you may be required to show bank statements as proof during your application process.

If someone else will sponsor your visit, they must have a genuine relationship with you, such as a family member or an employer and be capable of providing financial support throughout your stay. This sponsor should comply with UK immigration laws and ensure they can support you adequately during your visit.

To obtain a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, you must demonstrate to the Home Office that your visit to the UK is genuine and that you will depart the country after your visit and not make the UK your main home or stay for extended periods through frequent visits.

The Home Office assesses various factors, including your immigration history in the UK and other countries, financial situation, family, social, and economic background, and ties to your home country.

Lack of family and economic ties to your home while having relatives in the UK, previous attempts to deceive the Home Office in immigration applications, and inconsistencies in statements and applications may raise doubts about your visit intention.

It’s important to have a well-prepared and comprehensive application for the Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa. Clearly demonstrate your genuine intentions, provide accurate information, and ensure your application meets the requirements.

Address any potential concerns the Home Office may have, and be honest and transparent throughout the process. Consider seeking professional assistance from Birmingham Immigration Lawyers to enhance your chances of a successful visa application.

If you intend to apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, you must do so at least three months before your travel date. You must apply online via the Home Office website, pay the application fee, and book an appointment at a visa application centre.

At your visa appointment, your biometrics, such as fingerprints and photographs, will be taken, and you will be required to provide the following documents:

• Current passport or valid travel document.
• A formal written invitation from a UK-based organisation.
• Details of your travel plan and where you intend to stay.
• Proof of your financial ability to support yourself, such as bank statements (or evidence of a sponsor’s financial ability).
• Other required documents that show that you are qualified for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa.

You can typically expect to receive a visa decision within three weeks. You will receive an email about the Home Office’s decision with instructions on what to do next.

You can expedite the process for a faster decision depending on your country of application.