The UK Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visa is a short-term visa designed for individuals with recognized expertise in specific professional fields who have been invited by a UK-based organization or client to participate in a pre-arranged paid engagement. This visa is intended for professionals such as artists, entertainers, musicians, lawyers, lecturers, and academic examiners, provided that the engagement is directly linked to their skills, qualifications, and primary profession in their home country. The engagement must be completed within one month of the applicant’s arrival in the UK. Eligible applicants may include those invited: 

• To perform as a professional artist, entertainer, or musician 
• To participate in sporting events as a professional sportsperson 
• To provide legal representation for a client as a qualified lawyer 
• To deliver a lecture or a series of lectures 
• To speak at a conference 
• To assess or examine students as an academic 
• To conduct assessments as an air pilot examiner 

The UK Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visit visa allows visitors to stay in the UK for a maximum period of six months. However, any paid engagement or professional activity must be completed within the first 30 days of arrival in the UK. While the visa may remain valid for up to six months, the remaining period can only be used for permitted activities such as tourism, sightseeing, or visiting friends and family, in line with the conditions of a Standard Visitor Visa. 

Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents to support their UK Permitted Paid Engagement visa application: 

• A valid passport or travel document: The passport must have a blank page for the visa stamp and be valid for the entire duration of your stay

• Formal invitation letter: This must be from a UK-based organization or client, detailing the nature of the engagement, dates, location, and payment arrangements. Depending on your profession, this could be from: 
  • A creative organisation such as a gallery, university arts faculty, school, or events venue (for artists, entertainers, and musicians) 
  • An agent, agency, or broadcaster (for artists and sportspeople) 
  • A sports organisation hosting sporting events or matches (for professional sportspeople) 
  • A client confirming your engagement for legal representation in the UK (for qualified lawyers) 
  • A higher education institution, research organisation, or arts organisation (for lecturers or academic examiners) 
  • An approved training organisation regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (for air pilot examiners) 

• Evidence of expertise in your profession: Depending on your field, this may include: 
  • Published work, publicity material, or evidence of recent performances, exhibitions, concerts, talks, readings, or screenings (for artists and entertainers) 
  • Proof of recent sporting performances, awards, or media coverage (for professional sportspeople) 
  • A practicing certificate, certificate of good standing, or proof of your right of audience (for qualified lawyers) 
  • Evidence of previous lectures given, published work, or a letter from your employer confirming your expertise (for lecturers and academic examiners) 
  • Proof of employment with your country’s national aviation authority (for air pilot examiners) 

• Proof of employment: Documents confirming your full-time profession in your home country, such as employer letters, contracts, or business registration details. 
• Financial evidence: Bank statements, pay slips, or other financial documents to demonstrate that you can support yourself during your visit without relying on public funds. 
• Accommodation and travel details: Information about your accommodation arrangements and travel plans. 
• Immigration History: Your previous immigration history including visits to the UK and other countries. 
• Ties to Home Country: Your personal and economic ties to your Country of Residence. 

As of February 2024, the UK Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visa has been merged with the Standard Visitor Visa. Consequently, individuals seeking to enter the UK for a paid engagement are required to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, with the application fee currently set at £115. 

The UK Permitted Paid Engagement visa allows visitors to engage in paid activities directly related to their area of expertise. Permitted activities include: 

• Performing as a professional artist, entertainer, or musician. 
• Presenting, launching, or discussing your creative work at professional events or public forums. 
• Joining professional panels, debates, or conferences in your area of expertise. 
• Representing a client in court or arbitration as a qualified lawyer. 
• Giving lectures or a series of lectures that align with your professional expertise. 
• Taking part in selection panels or assessing students as an academic examiner. 
• Examining air pilots to ensure they meet national aviation regulatory standards. 

While holding a UK Permitted Paid Engagement visa, visitors are prohibited from: 

• Undertaking full-time or part-time employment in the UK. 
• Studying for an extended period or enrolling in a formal educational course. 
• Accessing public funds or claiming UK government benefits. 
• Getting married, forming a civil partnership, or giving notice for such arrangements. 
• Bringing dependents under this visa category (each individual must apply separately). 

No, you cannot take your dependents with you on a UK Permitted Paid Engagement visa. If your spouse, partner, or children wish to accompany you to the UK, they must apply for a separate Standard Visitor visa. The UK Permitted Paid Engagement visa is designed for short-term, specific professional engagements and does not extend dependent rights under the same application. 

The UK Permitted Paid Engagement visa is designed specifically for professional engagements and does not permit family visits as a primary purpose. If you intend to visit family members in the UK, you should consider applying for a Standard Visitor visa instead. 

If your UK Permitted Paid Engagement visa application is refused, you will receive a refusal notice outlining the reasons for the decision. In most cases, there is no right of appeal. However, if you believe the refusal was unfair or unlawful, you may: 

• Submit a Pre-Action Protocol (PAP): This is a formal legal challenge before proceeding to judicial review. 
• Request an administrative review: In some circumstances, you may be able to request an internal review by immigration authorities if you believe the refusal as incorrect based on evidence you previously submitted. 
• Reapply with additional evidence: If the refusal was due to missing documents or concerns regarding your financial circumstances, ensure your new application addresses these points with stronger supporting evidence.

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