No, generally, you cannot work in the UK with a standard visitor visa. The primary purpose of a visitor visa is for tourism, visiting family or friends, short-term study, or permitted business activities, not for employment.
Understanding the Visitor Visa Rules
A UK Standard Visitor visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months (or sometimes longer for specific reasons). While it permits a range of activities, working for a UK company or operating as a self-employed individual is strictly prohibited. Your activities during your visit must align with the permitted reasons for entry.
What You Cannot Do as a Standard Visitor
As a standard visitor, you are not permitted to:
- Work for a UK-based employer.
- Engage in any self-employed activity within the UK.
- Undertake any paid or unpaid work for an organisation or business in the UK, unless specifically allowed under the rules for business activities or permitted paid engagements.
- Claim public funds or benefits.
- Live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits.
Limited Exceptions: Permitted Business Activities and Paid Engagements
While general employment is forbidden, the visitor visa rules do allow for specific, limited business-related activities and, in certain circumstances, "permitted paid engagements." These are not considered "working" in the conventional sense and have strict criteria.
Permitted vs. Prohibited Activities for Standard Visitors
To clarify what you can and cannot do on a standard visitor visa, consider the following table:
| Permitted Activities (Allowed) | Prohibited Activities (Not Allowed)
