Permitted Paid Engagement Visa

The Permitted Paid Engagement visa (PPE) is a useful visa which allows certain visitors to come to the UK and legally earn money for a period of up to one month. It is unusual in that it is a type of visit visa where you are allowed to work. The people who are eligible for this visa are as follows;

• a professional artist, entertainer or musician
• a professional sportsperson
• a qualified lawyer – to represent a client
• a knowledgeable individual who comes to give a lecture or series of lectures
• an academic – to be a student examiner or assessor
• an air pilot examiner

The individual or group must be formally invited by a UK-based organisation to attend a pre-arranged event or other permitted engagements. In addition, the individual must be able to prove to the Home Office that they are qualified to perform in the capacity on which their expertise is based. This can be proven in many ways, for example, if you are a researcher and have been invited to give a series of lectures, you can evidence your expertise through providing evidence of your published work. Similarly, if you are a singer, links to video clips of pervious performances might be sufficient.

Once in the UK the visa will allow the individual to undertake specific activities. For example, a professional sportsperson can enter to give a paid interview and discuss a potential contract. However, there are certain actives you cannot engage in on this visa. You must not;

• do paid work unrelated to your main overseas job or area of expertise
• study
• live in the UK for extended periods
• claim public funds (benefits)
• pass through the UK to another country (‘in transit’)
• marry or register a civil partnership, or give notice of marriage or civil partnership

The entry clearance officer will scrutinise every applicant to ensure that their profession falls within one of the permitted categories. If you are famous or hold a high status, this is no guarantee your visa will be granted, the entry clearance officer may not know who you are. It can complicate matters if you are also traveling with an entourage, as each individual will also need to make an application. If some are not being paid, then a standard visit visa would be sufficient. You can apply 3 months before your planned arrival in the UK, it is best to prepare your applications as early as possible to ensure there is enough time to gather the evidence the Home Office require.

For a successful application, you must be able to show that;

• you’ve been formally invited by a UK-based organisation to attend a pre-arranged event or other permitted engagement
• the event or engagement relates directly to your expertise, qualifications and main job in your home country
• you’re 18 or over
• you’re visiting the UK for no more than 1 month
• you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
• you’re able to support yourself during your trip (or have funding from someone else to support you)
• you’re able to pay for your return or onward journey (or have funding from someone else to pay for the journey)
• you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home
• If you have upcoming tour dates or have been offered some paid work in the UK by an organisation, Baya has vast experience and a successful track record in obtaining PPE visas. Contact us now if you have any question relating to this route into the UK and we will provide you with expert advice and assistance throughout the process.