How to apply for UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

The UK Permitted paid Engagement Visa is suitable for international artists wishing to perform in the UK. The United Kingdom visa application procedure can be rigorous, but there are ways to boost your chances of being approved by the British Home Office.

If you’re a professional performer, you’ll only be allowed into the UK and given the necessary work authorization if you have the proper visa. 

That is why you need to obtain the permitted paid Engagement visa which is a short-term visa that allows non-EEA nationals to enter the UK for up to a month to take part in a paid Engagement.

In this guide, we will be highlighting the application process, eligibility criteria, and more important information about the UK Permitted paid Engagement Visa.

The permitted paid Engagement Visa is a short-term visa that allows non-EEA nationals to enter the UK for up to a month to take part in a paid Engagement such as chairing a meeting, a public speaking engagement, or attending a conference.

About permitted paid Engagement Visa

The permitted paid engagement visa is a short-term visa that allows non-EEA nationals to enter the UK for up to a month to take part in a paid engagement.

Experts who have been engaged by a UK-based client or organization to come to the UK on a temporary basis to work without being sponsored can apply for the Permitted Paid Engagement visa.

If you have been invited by a UK organization for any of the following reasons, you are allowed to stay for up to one month on the PPE visa:

• To participate in or perform in the arts, entertainment, or sports.
• Modeling assignments in the fashion industry.
• Attend meetings and other minor activities related to your job in UK.
• Providing legal representation.
• Examiner or assessor for students.
• Giving a one-time talk at a higher education institution.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visa Requirements

You must demonstrate that:

• You’re at least 18 years old.
• You’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit you won’t live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.
• You’re able to support yourself during the trip you’ve been formally invited and paid to attend an event or other permitted engagement in the UK.
• You’ve been formally invited and paid to attend an event or other permitted engagement in the UK 
• You’ve been formally invited and paid by a UK-based organization to attend an event or other permitted engagement in the (or have funding from someone else to support you)
• You can pay for your return or onward travel (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
• You have documentation of any business or other activities you wish to engage in in the United Kingdom, as permitted by law

Documentation for UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

Permitted Paid Engagement visa applicants must supply several documents with their application. These include:

• Current passport and/or other travel documents. 
• A separate passport photograph, with the applicant’s name on the back. 
• Proof of maintenance funds to cover expenses during their stay. 
• Details of their travel plans and UK accommodation. 
• An invitation from the organization paying them for the engagement in the UK 
• Proof that the engagement relates to their professional or academic qualifications and expertise.

5 Groups of applicants eligible for Paid Engagement Visa

The following professionals and experts are eligible to apply for a Paid Engagement Visa:

1. Professional artists, entertainers, and musicians.
2. Professional sportspersons.
3. Examiners and lecturers.
4. Designated air pilot examiners.
5. Qualified lawyers.

1. Professional artists, entertainers, and musicians

Professional artists, performers, and musicians may be eligible for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa, which allows them to travel to the UK for up to one month to engage in paid work directly linked to their industry.

To qualify for a licensed paid engagement visa, artists, entertainers and musicians must be able to prove that this is a full-time profession.

This must be supported by documentation such as performances, screenings, concerts, lectures, readings, exhibitions, media coverage and reviews, awards, and promotional materials such as evidence of recent performances.

2. Professional sportspersons

Professional sportspersons might also additionally qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa on the way to perform a paid pastime with the UK for up to at least one month wherein the pastime is immediately associated with their profession.

For example, an expert footballer might also additionally input to provide a paid interview or attend conferences to speak about a contract. To qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa, sportspersons ought to be capable of displaying that they’re a longtime sports activities expert.

This will want to be shown via documentary proof together with media coverage, proof of awards, and evidence of new participation in wearing activities. Professional sportspersons ought to be invited through a sports activities organization, agent, or broadcaster primarily based totally within the UK.

3. Examiners and lecturers

Academics who’re especially certified in their area of knowledge and desire to tour the United Kingdom which allows you to look at college students and/or take part in or chair choice panels might also additionally qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa.

They ought to have been invited via way of means of a UK better training group, or a UK-primarily based totally studies or arts organization as a part of that group or organization`s great guarantee processes.

Subject-rely specialists can be eligible for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa that allows you to go to the United Kingdom for the motive of giving paid lectures on their difficult areas. 

4. Designated air pilot examiners

Overseas designated pilot examiners can use the Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa route in order to travel to the UK to assess UK-based pilots to ensure that they meet the national aviation regulatory requirements of other countries. 

Overseas designated pilot examiners must have been invited by an approved training organization based in the UK that is regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority for that purpose.

5. Qualified lawyers

Qualified lawyers may apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa in order to provide advocacy for a court or tribunal hearing, arbitration, or other forms of dispute resolution for legal proceedings within the UK, where they have been invited by a client.

Permitted Paid Engagement Visitors may also undertake other activities that are permitted under other Visitor routes, but are not permitted to study or transit.

Recommended: How to get Canada Study visa from the UK.

How to apply for a permitted paid engagement visa

If you need a Permitted Paid Engagement visa

Step1: You must apply online

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

Step 2: You must attend an appointment at a visa application center

As part of your online application, you need to book an appointment at a visa application center. Allow time to attend your appointment, as the center could be in another country.

At your appointment, you’ll need to:

• prove your identity with your current passport or valid travel document.
• have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken.
• provide the required documents that show you’re eligible for a Permitted Paid Engagement visa.

The visa application center may keep your passport and documents while processing your application.

Step 3: Travel to the UK

With the approval of your visa, you can proceed to travel to the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

What are the Jobs I Cannot get With a Permitted Paid Engagement visa?

You cannot get a UK Permitted Paid Engagement visa to engage in any of the following activities:

• Self-employment jobs.
• Internship related to studies.
• Internships of other kinds.
• Direct selling.

2. How long does it take for the UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa to process?

It takes up to 3 weeks for a UK Permitted Paid Engagement Visa to process. For a faster visa decision, you have to pay £212 or £956 to get a visa response in 5 or 1 working day.

3. Can I Switch Jobs While on the Permitted Paid Engagement Visa?

You are allowed to work only in a job at the company/individual client for which you have received the UK PPE visa. Such restriction doesn’t apply, to attending a business meeting relating to the job you do in your home country.

This activity must not interfere with your commitments towards the work for which you were issued the visa.

 4. Can I study while in the UK with a Permitted Paid Engagement visa?

You can study in the UK as long as the study program lasts up to 30 calendar days. This is relevant, for as long as the commitment to studies doesn’t affect the success of your expert work for which you were issued the visa.

If you are seeking to study in a longer study program, you have to apply for a UK student visa instead.

Conclusion

The Permitted Paid Engagement visa is for those who wish to come to the UK for a short period, a maximum of up to one month, to do specific paid work without having to be sponsored under standard work visas.-regime foreign experts seeking to serve through your expertise in the UK.

This applies if you’ll be working to/for a private client, company, organization, or institution in the UK then this guide is right for you.