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Undertake a Short Paid Engagement in the UK - PPE Visitor Route
Invited to the UK for a time-limited, pre-arranged paid engagement? The Permitted Paid Engagement PPE Visit Visa route allows approved professionals, including artists, entertainers, musicians, sportspersons, examiners, lecturers, designated pilot examiners, and qualified lawyers, to carry out paid work for up to one month. Our SRA-regulated solicitors prepare clear, decision-ready applications aligned to Home Office rules.
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Permitted Paid Engagement Visa UK Stressing You Out? Get Expert Help Now
No more confusion or wasted time. Tell us about your case, and we’ll provide an expert-backed, realistic plan to secure your UK visa.
Certain professionals may apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor visa to undertake a pre-arranged, time-limited paid engagement in the UK. The engagement must be directly related to the applicant’s professional expertise and must be arranged in advance with a UK-based organisation.
The Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor visa is a specific category within the Standard Visitor route.
All applicants must apply separately, even if travelling as part of a group.
The PPE Visitor visa allows paid activity in the UK for a maximum period of one month. It is a short-term visit route and does not allow long-term residence, switching to another visa category, or settlement in the UK.
Quick Facts You Shouldn’t Miss
What PPE Visit Visa is
A Visitor sub-route under the Standard Visitor visa for pre-arranged, invited, short-term paid engagements in your recognised field. It is not a long-term work visa.
Who qualifies
Professionals who are established and actively working overseas in the same field, including artists, entertainers and musicians, professional sportspersons, academics (such as examiners or guest lecturers), designated air pilot examiners, and qualified lawyers invited to advocate, arbitrate, or provide legal services permitted under the visitor rules.
Duration
You may undertake the permitted paid engagement for up to one month from the date of entry to the UK. You may hold a Standard Visitor visa valid for a longer period, but the permitted paid engagement itself must be completed within one month.
Payment
Payment from a UK source is permitted only for the declared Permitted Paid Engagement. Reasonable expenses directly related to the engagement may also be reimbursed.
The engagement must be arranged before travel and supported by a formal invitation from the relevant UK organisation, venue, client, court or tribunal, or a Civil Aviation Authority–approved training body, where applicable.
You must not take up ongoing employment, undertake repeated paid engagements to live in the UK, carry out work unrelated to the invited Permitted Paid Engagement, or access public funds.
Supporting evidence should include a formal invitation letter confirming the dates, location, and nature of the engagement; proof that you are established in the relevant field overseas; details of your itinerary; evidence of funding and accommodation; and evidence of strong ties to your home country.
You must apply online and attend a biometric appointment if required. Decisions are made in line with published Home Office service standards. Priority services may be available depending on where you apply.
Go, Perform, Get Paid - Without Immigration Stress
Most Permitted Paid Engagement PPE Visit Visa refusals arise where applications resemble general employment, the invitation lacks sufficient detail, or there is inadequate evidence that the applicant is established in their field overseas. We align every aspect of the application with the PPE Visitor rules, prepare a clear activity summary, and present supporting evidence so caseworkers can readily identify a genuine, short-term, pre-arranged engagement rather than an attempt to undertake work migration.
Benefits
Why We’re the Right Choice for Your UK PPE Visit Visa
Our SRA-regulated solicitors provide clear, structured, and legally compliant guidance for Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visitor applications. We assess eligibility under the Standard Visitor rules, identify potential compliance risks early, and prepare applications that accurately reflect a genuine, pre-arranged, short-term paid engagement.
97.37%
Success Rate
37,573
Applications Approved
93.7%
Immigration Appeal Win Rate
4.9/5
Average Rating
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
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Evidence-based case preparation
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Home Office compliance checks
-
Success rate optimisation
-
Risk mitigation strategies
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
Work With Trusted, SRA-Regulated UK Immigration Experts
Your immigration journey is too important to risk on unqualified or unregulated help. Every case we handle is prepared by SRA-regulated solicitors who apply structured legal reasoning, precise documentation checks and full compliance with Home Office and UKVI rules.
Our accreditations are your assurance that you are working with a reputable, experienced and highly trained legal team. We combine decades of immigration expertise with strict professional standards to give you clarity, confidence and complete peace of mind — no matter which visa or application route you are pursuing.
Who Is Eligible For The Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa?
The following will need to be proven to UK Visas & Immigration for you to qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa
- You must be aged 18 or over.
- If you are a visa national, you must obtain entry clearance as a Visitor before travelling to the UK.
- The Immigration Rules permit you to undertake a specific pre-arranged paid engagement declared as part of your application.
- The engagement must relate directly to your area of expertise and occupation overseas and be evidenced by a formal invitation from a UK-based organisation, client, court, tribunal, or other permitted body.
- You will not engage in prohibited activities.
- Without working or accessing public funds, you can cover all reasonable costs associated with your visit (including travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs).
- After your visit, you will leave the UK.
- If you return frequently or successively to the UK, you will not live there permanently.
- Your application must not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to satisfy different requirements.
- The qualifying paid engagement that you wish to undertake in the UK, which must be.
- Arranged before you travel to the UK.
- Declared as part of your entry clearance application or, where permitted, at the UK border.
- Evidenced by a formal invitation, as set out above, and
- Relate to your area of expertise and occupation overseas.
What Paid Engagements Qualify?
The following professionals and experts are eligible to apply for a Paid Engagement Visit Visa:
- Professional artists, entertainers, and musicians.
- Professional sportspersons.
- Examiners and lecturers.
- Designated air pilot examiners.
- Qualified lawyers.
Professional artists, entertainers, and musicians
If you are an artist, entertainer, or musician, you can apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa to conduct a paid activity that is directly related to your profession for up to one month while in the UK. A visiting artist may, for example, give a paid performance and also present their work to other artists or to the public in the UK as a PPE Visitor.
An artist, entertainer, or musician must demonstrate that this is their primary occupation to qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa. Documentary proof will be needed, such as publicity material for performances, screenings, concerts, talks, readings, and exhibitions, as well as media coverage and reviews, and awards and proof of recent performances.
A creative (arts or entertainment) organisation, agent, or broadcaster based in the UK must invite artists, entertainers, and musicians. Artists, entertainers, and musicians make up creative organisations. A creative organisation includes, for example, galleries, arts faculties or departments at universities and schools, and venues that stage or produce events. Events conducted by embassies related to the country are also eligible. UK-based agents and broadcasters may invite individuals where the engagement falls within the Permitted Paid Engagement rules.
The Permitted Paid Engagement route is not available to personal assistants, technical staff, support staff, or production team members accompanying a principal applicant.
Professional Sportspersons
A Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa is available to professional sportsperson who are engaged in a paid activity directly related to their profession in the UK for up to one month. An athlete may enter to give an interview or attend meetings to discuss a contract, for example.
An established sports professional must be able to demonstrate that they qualify for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visa. Documentary evidence, such as media coverage, proof of awards, and proof of recent participation in sporting events, will need to be provided to support this claim.
Sports organisations, agents, or broadcasters based in the United Kingdom must invite professional athletes. Any organisation involved in organising or staging sporting events or matches is a sports organisation.
Examiners and Lecturers
A Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa is available to academics who are highly qualified within their field of expertise and travelling to the UK to examine students and/or participate in or chair selection panels. Higher education institutions, research organisations, or arts organisations in the UK must have invited them as part of the quality assurance procedures of those institutions or organisations.
Visiting the UK for the purpose of giving paid lectures in their area of expertise may be eligible for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa. Researchers and artists must be invited by higher education institutions or British research and arts organisations, and engagements must not involve the host organisation filling a teaching or employment position.
Designated Air Pilot Examiners
To assess UK-based pilots to ensure that they meet international aviation regulations, overseas designated pilot examiners can travel to the UK with a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa. An approved UK training organisation that is regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority for that purpose must have invited overseas designated pilot examiners.
Qualified Lawyers
Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visas are issued to qualified lawyers who are invited by a client to provide advocacy or legal services for court or tribunal hearings, arbitration, or other permitted forms of dispute resolution under the visitor rules.
Visitor routes that permit paid engagement also permit other activities, but they are not permitted to study or transit.
What Am I Allowed To Do With a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa?
- Giving lectures, speeches, or expert talks
- Participating in academic, judicial, or professional panels
- Undertaking a specific, pre-arranged paid engagement as an invited expert
- Performing as an artist, entertainer, or musician
- Providing specialist services as a qualified professional
- Joining a broadcast or media event as an invited expert
- Conducting assessments or evaluations (e.g., experts in art, design, sports)
- Take paid employment outside your invited engagement
- Access public funds
- Run or establish a UK business
- Study
- Give notice for marriage/civil partnership
This visa is ideal when you intend to stay in the UK only long enough to complete your professional engagement and do not plan to settle permanently.
If you need to stay with your partner, marry, or work long-term in the UK, another visa type may be more suitable. Our solicitors can help you identify the most appropriate route for your circumstances.
How Are My Intentions Assessed For The Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa?
As an applicant for a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) Visa, you must demonstrate to the Home Office that you are travelling to the UK for a genuine, pre-arranged professional engagement. This route is designed for individuals who are established and recognised in their professional field who have been formally invited by a UK-based organisation, business, or client to carry out paid work for a short period.
To qualify, the following must be true:
- Your engagement is professionally relevant to your expertise, qualifications, or occupation.
- You have received a formal invitation from a UK organisation, university, broadcaster, client, or professional body.
- Your visit is temporary, and you intend to leave the UK at the end of your authorised stay.
- You will not live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.
- A formal letter of invitation
- A contract or engagement outline
- Event details (conference, seminar, performance, evaluation, or expert role)
- Proof of your professional standing (CV, portfolio, licence, publications, or membership)
- Your previous travel history
- Your professional background and credibility
- Financial stability and ability to support yourself in the UK
- Personal and economic ties to your home country
- Consistency between your application, supporting evidence, and the invitation
- Have weak ties to your country of residence
- Have several close relatives living in the UK
- Have previously overstayed or breached immigration rules
- Provide unclear, inconsistent, or incomplete evidence
What Are The Fees?
As with most things in life, think accountant, doctor, electrician, it is possible to do it yourself if you’re suitably qualified and competent. You can complete your own visa application if you feel you have the required understanding of the Home Office rules, requirements and specified evidence thresholds. However, it is not ordinarily recommended if you are not totally comfortable with understanding and satisfying UKVI immigration rules.
It is worth noting that this type of visa is the most refused visa type out of all categories.
Almost every visa has an associated processing government application fee.
It is important to note that this is an administrative fee that you will be charged for the application to be processed irrespective of the outcome.
In the event that you have made an inadequate application or are refused, the processing fee would have already been utilised and therefore, it will not be refunded.
Aside from the application fees, a refusal is likely to have far-reaching implications both practical and financial.
If you do not have a strong history of previous compliant visits to the UK, it is unlikely you will be granted a visa for longer than six months initially.
As of 2025, the Home Office application fee for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor visa is the Standard Visitor fee. Applicants must always check the current GOV.UK fee table before applying.
The Home Office application fee for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa for a stay of more than six months but not more than 11 months is £200.
Please note, the above fees are administrative only and do not cover our professional fees for legal representation.
We provide a full representation service for one transparent, affordable fee to handle your entire case.
Is There An English Language Requirement?
There is no English proficiency requirement for applicants for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa.
However, having a limited command of English can cause many problems whilst preparing and making an application and applying the correct rules and considerations.
Our team are bilingual and can provide you with advice and guidance in languages other than English upon request.
Am I Required To Meet Any Financial Requirements?
There are no specific requirements as to your financial situation under this visa type, but you will be expected to have enough funds to cover all reasonable costs associated with your visit (e.g., travel, maintenance, and accommodation), without the need to work or access public funds.
A permitted financial institution must hold your funds.
A third party may cover your travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs if the third party has a genuine professional or personal relationship with you, if they do not break immigration laws, and if they are able to support you throughout your visit.
Our expert team can check your plans and guide you through the requirements to ensure that your circumstances can satisfy UK Visa Rules.
How Long Do Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visas last?
You can apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa that is valid for either a six month, two year, five year, or 10 year period if you wish to visit the UK on a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa. Â
While your Visit Visa is valid, you can enter and leave the UK more than once unless it is
endorsed for single or dual entry. You must not use repeated visits to live in the UK.
Is it Possible To Work On a Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa?
Permitted Paid Engagement Visitors are allowed to engage in paid engagements that were declared as part of their entry clearance application. The Home Office, however, will make sure that temporary employment is not repeated by using the PPE route. Pay is permitted, but Permitted Paid Engagements are limited to short engagements, and the visitor’s main place of employment must remain overseas.
A Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visa is not permitted to work in the UK or, with few exceptions, to receive any payment for activities undertaken in the UK.
Thus, Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visitors are not allowed to take up employment, establish or run a business as a sole trader, work for an organisation or business in the UK, undertake a work placement or internship in the UK, or otherwise provide or sell goods or services in the UK.
During their visit to the UK, Permitted Paid Engagement Visit Visitors are permitted to perform activities related to their employment overseas, such as undertaking incidental remote activity related to overseas employment, provided this is not the main purpose of the visit.
However, the main purpose of your visit to the UK should be to engage in a permitted activity, rather than to remotely work from the UK. Visitors may attend job interviews as Standard Visitors, but the Permitted Paid Engagement route must not be used for job-seeking purposes. If you are successful in obtaining employment, you will have to leave the UK and get entry clearance before starting work.
If you are looking for long-term work in the UK, there are a number of alternative visit types which will allow you to do so.
Our team are experts in this area and will be happy to assess your needs and identify the best route for you.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Yes. Payment from a UK source is permitted only for the specific, pre-arranged engagement declared in your application, together with reasonable expenses directly related to that engagement.
Your paid engagement must be completed within one month from the date you enter the UK. You must not use the PPE route for ongoing or repeat temporary employment.
Yes. The PPE route requires a formal invitation from the UK organisation, venue, or client (such as a gallery, promoter, university, court or tribunal, broadcaster, or Civil Aviation Authority–approved body) confirming the dates, location, and purpose of the engagement.
The PPE route applies only to the named professional. Personal assistants, technical staff, or support crew must usually qualify under a different immigration route, such as a Creative Visitor or Temporary Work – Creative Worker visa, depending on the activity.
No. You must not undertake additional paid engagements beyond the scope, purpose, and dates set out in the formal PPE invitation.
You must provide evidence that you are established and actively working overseas in your profession, such as recent professional work, publications, performances, media coverage, licences, or recognised appointments.
A formal invitation letter confirming the engagement, including the dates, location, purpose, and why your professional expertise is required.
No. Permitted Paid Engagement activities must be pre-arranged and declared in advance. Non-visa nationals must still obtain permission to undertake a PPE activity and cannot perform paid engagements by seeking entry solely at the UK border.
No. Time spent in the UK on a Permitted Paid Engagement Visitor visa does not count towards settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain.
You must not use repeated Permitted Paid Engagement visits to live or work in the UK. Any subsequent visit must be genuinely temporary and comply with the visitor rules.
You may enter the UK in line with your visitor permission, but the paid engagement itself must take place only within the dates and scope stated in the formal PPE invitation and must not exceed one month.
PPE Visitors do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Access to NHS treatment is limited, and visitors are strongly advised to have comprehensive private medical insurance for the duration of their stay.
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