UK ETA for business travel: which activities are permitted?
Some business visits fall within visitor rules. An ETA must match both your nationality and your planned activities.
Information checked against official GOV.UK resources.
Which business visits may use an ETA?
An ETA permits travel for activities allowed under visitor rules, subject to nationality and personal circumstances. This may include certain appointments, meetings, conferences or occasional professional activities.
An ETA is permission to travel; the activities allowed during the stay remain governed by UK visitor rules.
An ETA is not a work visa
An ETA does not allow you to settle in the UK or work freely there. If the planned work or activity requires specific permission, a suitable visa may be needed.
Before an unusual or extended business trip, check the immigration category that precisely matches your intended activity.
Prepare the trip
If an ETA fits your journey, obtain it with the passport you will use. It can cover several journeys during its validity while the conditions remain met.
Travel authorisation alone does not guarantee admission at the border.
For business travel, check not only the ETA requirement but also whether your activities are permitted as a visitor.
Prepare your application with assistance in English
Still need to apply for your ETA? Gather your passport and photo, then start your application. Our team checks your information before submission; the decision rests with the UK authorities.
Start my ETA application