Important Updates
Important Updates
July 11, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Cap Introduced for Family Reunification Applications in Quebec
July 14, 2025 | Thailand Thailand: Mandatory Online Registration for Companies Using the Single Window System
July 14, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Positive Lists for Graduates and Skilled Workers Updated
July 14, 2025Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group
July 14, 2025 | TaiwanTaiwan: New Rules Extending Visa-Free Entry and Simplified Visa Regulations Introduced
July 11, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Cap Introduced for Family Reunification Applications in Quebec
July 14, 2025 | Thailand Thailand: Mandatory Online Registration for Companies Using the Single Window System
July 14, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Positive Lists for Graduates and Skilled Workers Updated
July 14, 2025Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group
July 14, 2025 | TaiwanTaiwan: New Rules Extending Visa-Free Entry and Simplified Visa Regulations Introduced
July 11, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Cap Introduced for Family Reunification Applications in Quebec
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

2024 Immigration Policy Changes: UK Visitors

January 31, 2024

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Alexander Hood - web porthole

Alexander Hood

Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9161

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Alexander Hood - web porthole

Alexander Hood

Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9161

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Alexander Hood - web porthole

Alexander Hood

Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9161

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

By: Mariam Khaliq

Several immigration changes were announced by the UK government in December 2023, with the increased salary thresholds for Skilled Workers and those on spouse visas making the headlines.

However, the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC246), published on 7 December 2023, also introduces some welcome changes to the UK Visitor visa category.

These changes, which go into effect on 31 January 2024, generally expand the types of activities visitors to the UK are permitted to do.

This blog explores these recent changes and what they mean for travellers to the UK.

Remote Working

The updated immigration rules now confirm that visitors are permitted to work remotely while in the UK undertaking activities related to their overseas employment, with the condition that it is not the primary purpose of their visit.

In practice, this means that someone in the UK on a business trip or holiday would be permitted to undertake tasks they would normally do overseas, albeit, remotely.

The new rules do not set out restrictions on the range or type of activities that can be undertaken remotely, other than confirming that remote working must not be the main purpose of the trip. This change reflects and recognises the global trend towards flexible working arrangements.

However, this welcome clarification in the rules should not be conflated with a Digital Nomad visa – which does not currently exist in the UK – as the rules state that the main purpose of being in the UK should still be as a visitor under this category.

Intra-Corporate Activities

Visitors employed abroad who visit a linked group business in the UK will be able to carry out work directly with clients, provided the client-facing activity is incidental to the visitor’s overseas employment.

They will be able to advise and consult, provide training and share skills and knowledge with clients as well as colleagues – but with the caveat is that those activities are required for the delivery of a project or service by the UK entity, rather than one is being delivered by the overseas business.

This change removes the current restriction of not working directly with clients while carrying out any intra-corporate activities as a visitor.

Permitted Paid Engagements 

The provisions of the Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor (PPE) category are being absorbed into the Standard Visitor route.

This means that all visitors will be able to undertake permitted paid engagements without having to apply for the PPE visa either before travelling or upon arrival at the UK border, and can stay in the UK for up to six months as a visitor.

However, it is important to note that individuals intending to participate in a PPE must have arranged their activities before travelling to the UK and complete them within 30 days of arrival.

This amendment will mean individuals such as musicians, performers, professional sportspeople and academics being invited to the UK by a UK-based organisation will be able to travel more freely to the UK.

Conference speakers are also being added to the list of PPEs, which means they will now be able to be remunerated for their participation.

Legal Profession

Under the new rules, there will be an expansion of the activities permitted for those in legal professions.

Lawyers visiting the UK will be able to provide a wider range of legal services, including but not limited to providing legal advice, drafting legal documents, appearing in arbitrations, acting as an expert witness, conferences, teaching and litigation.

The current requirement, which only permits lawyers to advise a UK-based client, will be dropped as this more flexible approach is being adopted.

Researchers

Academics, scientists and researchers will be permitted to conduct research in the UK while visiting if the research relates to a specific project directly regarding their employment abroad. Under the current immigration rules, this is restricted to independent research.

Looking Ahead

While much of the media focus has been on the government’s plans to restrict migration, it is clear that the authorities have listened to feedback from industry professionals to make it easier for individuals from certain industries to travel to the UK to undertake specific business-related activities without the need to apply for a work visa, thereby expanding the permitted activities of UK visitors.

Individual travellers to the UK, or businesses sending their employees to the UK for business trips, should still review the purpose of the trip closely to ensure the activities fall within those that are permitted by the Visitor category.

Need to know more?

For further information on these changes and UK immigration regulations, please contact Manager Alex Hood at [email protected] or Senior Associate Mariam Khaliq at [email protected].

This blog was published on 31 January 2024, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

Country / Territory

  • United KingdomUnited Kingdom

Related contacts

Alexander Hood - web porthole

Alexander Hood

Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9161

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Alexander Hood - web porthole

Alexander Hood

Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9161

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related contacts

Alexander Hood - web porthole

Alexander Hood

Manager

London, United Kingdom

Email

[email protected]

T:+44 (0) 207 090 9161

Related offices

  • London

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry

Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Learn more

Video

Grace Period for Submission of Documents for Temporary Residence Permits Eliminated in Portugal | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: How Trump's Immigration Crackdown is Reshaping Financial Industry Hiring, Travel, and Dealmaking

Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

Charting a Course: Securing Space-Sector Talent Amid UK Immigration Reforms

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

Canada Express Entry Explained: Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group

Partner Marius Tollenaere is elected to the Executive Committee of the German Bar Association's Migration Law Working Group.

Learn more

Blog post

Policy Reform Proposal: Granting Automatic Employment Authorization to Spouses of Work Visa Holders in South Africa

Director Johannes Tiba explores the proposal to grant automatic employment authorization to spouses of work visa holders in South Africa.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National: UAE Golden Visa Explained: From Nomination to Investment and Who is Eligible

UK: Partner Haider Hussain clarifies that UAE Golden Visa applications must go through official government channels, warning against unauthorised fees and misinformation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Games Industry: What the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper Mean for the UK Games Industry

Director Laurence Keir-Thomas outlines how recent changes to UK immigration and industrial policy may affect talent planning and hiring across the games sector.

Learn more

Video

Grace Period for Submission of Documents for Temporary Residence Permits Eliminated in Portugal | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Senior Consultant Ada Plant discusses how Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) no longer accepts incomplete temporary residence applications.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole Named to Citywealth Leaders List 2025

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is named to the prestigious Citywealth Leaders List 2025, which recognises leading professionals in wealth management and private client services.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Irish Times: AI Technologies Being Used in Effort to Reduce Risk of Fraud in Immigration Process

Partner Ángel Bello Cortés discusses how Ireland’s Department of Justice is rolling out AI tools to reduce fraud risks in the immigration process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: How Trump's Immigration Crackdown is Reshaping Financial Industry Hiring, Travel, and Dealmaking

Partner Isha Atassi discusses the impact of immigration policy changes on financial firms’ global mobility and workforce planning.

Learn more

Blog post

Charting a Course: Securing Space-Sector Talent Amid UK Immigration Reforms

Director Laxmi Limbani discusses strategies for securing talent in the UK space sector amid recent immigration reforms.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

Canada Express Entry Explained: Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.