The Work-related Training Visit Visa is for overseas graduates from medical, dental or nursing schools, employees of overseas companies or organisations and employees of overseas based training companies who wish to visit the UK to undertake permitted unpaid work-related training activities for a period of up to 6 months.

The Work-related Training Visit Visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, which is a route for persons who wish to visit the UK for a temporary period of up to 6 months.  

The route does not lead to settlement in the UK and all visitors must make a separate application, even when travelling as part of a group.

Requirements for a Work-related Training Visit Visa

In order to qualify for a Work-related Training Visit Visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You are a visa national (a non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival at the UK border);
• You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes;
• You will not undertake any prohibited activities;
• You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, maintenance and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds;
• You will leave the UK at the end of your visit;
• You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home;
• Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal;
• You have obtained an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances.  You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

To discuss your Work-related Training Visit Visa application with one of our immigration barristers, contact our UK Visit Visa lawyers on 0203 617 9173 or complete our enquiry form below.

Visa National Requirement

A visa national is someone who, by reason of their nationality, requires a Visit Visa in order to enter the UK as a Visitor.  Visa nationals must generally apply for a Visit Visa before travelling to the UK.

The Home Office has published a list of nationalities that are required to apply for a Visit Visa prior to travelling to the UK as a Visitor.  The list includes a number of exceptions, which allow certain visa nationals to seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK.

A non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK.   A non-visa national must still satisfy the requirements for entry as a Visitor and so, on arrival, should be prepared to explain, for example, the purpose of their visit and how they will be maintained and accommodated in the UK, as well as their return travel arrangements. 

EU citizens are non-visa nationals and can seek entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK without needing to apply for a Visit Visa.

As well as preparing Visit Visa applications for visa nationals, our barristers regularly assist non-visa nationals to satisfy the requirements for entry as a Visitor on arrival in the UK.

Visit Visa for Work-related Training

The Work-related Training Visit Visa is available to overseas graduates from medical, dental and nursing schools, employees of overseas companies or organisations and employees of overseas based training companies.

Training should be in work practices and techniques that are not available in the visitor’s home country.  The training should typically be classroom based or involve familiarisation or observation. Practical training is allowed provided it does not amount to ‘training on the job’ or the visitor filling a role.

It is acceptable for a visitor to learn how to use a piece of equipment in the UK, but the Home Office will carefully assess how long the visitor intends to do this for and wish to make sure that there is no risk that the visitor will work for the company in the UK.

Work-related Training Visit Visa Permitted Activities

Overseas graduates from medical, dental or nursing schools may:

• Undertake clinical attachments or dental observer posts provided these are unpaid, involve no treatment of patients and written confirmation of the offer to take up the post is provided, together with confirmation that they have not previously undertaken this activity in the UK;
• Take the following tests/examinations in the UK:
  • the Professional and Linguistic Assessment Board test, providing written confirmation of the test is provided from the General Medical Council;
  • the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations for overseas, providing written confirmation of the exam is provided from the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Employees of an overseas company or organisation may receive training from a UK based company or organisation in work practices and techniques which are required for the Visitor’s employment overseas and not available in their home country.

An employee of an overseas based training company may deliver a short series of training to employees of a UK based company, where the trainer is employed by an overseas business contracted to deliver global training to the international corporate group to which the UK based company belongs.

Because the Work-related Training Visit Visa is a sub-category of the Standard Visitor route, Work-related Training Visitors may also undertake other activities that are permitted under the Standard Visitor route.

Intention to Leave the UK Requirement for a Work-related Training Visit Visa

In addition to satisfying the Home Office that you are genuinely seeking to enter the UK for a permitted purpose and that you satisfy the additional eligibility requirements, as part of your application for a Work-related Training Visit Visa you will also need to satisfy the Home Office that you will leave the UK at the end of your visit and will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home.

In assessing your application, the Home Office will consider a range of factors including:

• Your previous immigration history, including visits to the UK and other countries;
• Your financial circumstances as well as your family, social and economic background;
• Your personal and economic ties to your country of residence.

Factors which may cause the Home Office to doubt that you are a genuine visitor include having few or no family and economic ties to your country of residence, whilst having several family members in the UK, previous attempts to deceive the Home Office in an immigration application and discrepancies between statements made by yourself and your sponsor.

Work-related Training Visit Visa Financial Requirement

You will need to have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, maintenance and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds.

Your funds will need to be held in a permitted financial institution.

Your travel, maintenance and accommodation costs may be met by a third party if the third party has a genuine professional or personal relationship with you, they are not, and will not be, in breach of immigration laws and they can support you throughout the duration of your stay as a Visitor.

Work-related Training Visit Visa English Language Requirement

Work-related Training Visit Visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.

Work-related Training Visit Visa Validity Period

If you wish to enter the UK for the purpose of a Work-related Training Visit you may apply for a Visit Visa that is valid for either 6 months, 2 years, 5 years or 10 years.  

You may enter and leave the UK multiple times during the validity period of your Visit Visa, unless your Visit Visa is endorsed for a single or dual entry.

Each visit to the UK must not exceed 6 months.

Work-related Training Visit Visa Right to Work

Work-related Training Visitors are not permitted to work in the UK or, with few exceptions, receive payment from a UK source for any activities undertaken in the UK.

This means that Work-related Training Visitors cannot take employment, establish or run a business as a self-employed person, 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.

Work-related Training Visitors are permitted to undertake activities relating to their employment overseas remotely whilst they are in the UK, such as responding to emails or answering phone calls.  However, the main purpose of your visit to the UK should be to undertake a permitted activity, rather than specifically to work remotely from the UK.

Work-related Training Visitors are also permitted to come to the UK to seek employment and attend job interviews. However, if successful in obtaining employment, you will be expected to leave the UK and seek the appropriate entry clearance prior to commencing work.

If you wish to work in the UK as a creative artist you should consider applying for a Skilled Worker Visa instead.

Work-related Training Visit Visa Application Fees

The Home Office application fee for a Work-related Training Visit Visa for a short stay of up to 6 months is currently £100.

If you wish to apply for a Work-related Training Visit Visa that is valid for either 2 years, 5 years or 10 years then the Home Office application fee will be £376, £670 or £837 respectively.

How Our Immigration solicitors Can Help

Our immigration solicitors are experienced in assisting overseas graduates from medical, dental and nursing schools, employees of overseas companies or organisations and employees of overseas based training companies to secure visas to visit the UK.

Whether you are seeking advice on the merits of applying for a Work-related Training Visit Visa, assistance with preparing a Work-related Training Visit Visa application or legal representation to challenge a decision to refuse an application for a Work-related Training Visit Visa, our immigration barristers can assist.

We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our client’s needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice to our clients as part of a professional and friendly service.