Immigration Lab Ltd

Permitted Paid Engagements for one month

Comparison of PPE visa vs other work visas

Since February 2024, the separate "PPE Visitor visa" no longer exists. Instead, those seeking to undertake permitted paid engagements must apply for a Standard Visitor visa and meet the additional requirements for such activities.

The Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visit visa and separately, the Creative Worker visa (part of the Temporary Worker route) (for example) are both UK short-term work visas, but they are used in different situations, have different requirements, and offer different flexibility.

🧾 1. Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) under the Standard Visitor Visa

✅ What It’s For:

A very short-term visa (allowing up to 1 month of permitted work) for experts (eg qualified lawyer, entertainers, lecturers) invited to the UK for specific, paid, one-off engagements — without needing sponsorship. Whilst you can come to the UK for up to 6 months, you must do the engagement in the first month.

👤 Who it’s for:

Guest lecturers or examiners.
Artists, entertainers, or musicians invited to perform (as individuals).
Professional sportspersons doing a single appearance or engagement.
Journalists attending assignments.
Lawyers or arbitrators attending specific proceedings.

*A ‘professional artist’ can be anyone working in the performing or creative arts. For example, poets, make-up artists, stylists, set designers, photographers and fashion models.

🔒 Limitations:

Not suitable for longer-term or ongoing work.
You must leave the UK after the engagement.
You can’t switch to another visa from inside the UK.

🎭 2. Creative Worker (Temporary Worker) Visa

✅ What It’s For:

A visa for people working in the creative industries (film, music, theatre, dance, fashion, etc.) — for short- or medium-term contracts, typically with ongoing work.

👤 Who it’s for:

Musicians, actors, dancers, entertainers.
Film crew, theatre staff, fashion models.
Those working for licensed creative sector sponsors.

✔️ Flexibility:

Can take on longer tours, residencies, or repeat performances.
Suitable for people returning to the UK regularly.
You can bring family with you.

Can religious scholars apply for the PPE Visit Visa?

Yes!

A religious scholar can apply for a Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) visa to lecture in the UK for a fee, provided certain conditions are met.

✅ What the PPE Visa Allows (for Religious Scholars)

The UK PPE visa specifically allows individuals to come to the UK for short-term, invited, paid engagements — and this includes religious scholars invited to give lectures, speak at conferences, or teach for up to 30 days.

✅ Conditions:

Invited by a UK organization (such as a university, academic institution, or religious institution).
The engagement must be a genuine paid speaking or teaching event, not general employment.
The engagement must be:
- Pre-arranged
- Time-limited (within 30 days)
- For a specific purpose, such as:
  - Giving a religious lecture
  - Participating in a conference or panel discussion
  - Speaking on religious studies or interfaith topics

⚠️ Restrictions

The scholar cannot take up a salaried position or do any ongoing or repeat work.
Only the invited engagement is allowed — no freelance work or other employment.
The visa is valid for up to 1 month and not extendable.
No dependants can accompany under this visa.
The scholar must leave the UK once the engagement is over (after a maximum of 6 months from entry).

📝 Documents Required (Typically):

Letter of invitation from the UK institution, detailing:
- Nature of the engagement
- Dates
- Payment terms
Proof of qualifications or expertise in their field (e.g. religious studies)
Evidence of sufficient funds and accommodation during stay
Passport and travel details

✅ Example Scenario

Dr. Ahmed, a professor of Islamic theology in Egypt, is invited by Oxford University to give a series of lectures over 5 days and is paid a fee for his participation. He can apply for a PPE visa, as the visit is:

Short-term
By invitation
Paid
For a specific academic/religious purpose

Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for Permitted Paid Engagements

V 13.1. Where the applicant is seeking to come to the UK to undertake a permitted paid engagement, they must be aged 18 or over when they enter the UK.
V 13.2. The applicant must intend to do one (or more) of the permitted paid engagements set out in V 13.3. which must be:
1. (a) arranged before the applicant travels to the UK; and
2. (b) declared as part of the application for entry clearance or , if asked, declared when seeking permission to enter the UK; and
3. (c) evidenced by a formal invitation, as required by V 13.3; and
4. (d) relate to the applicant’s area of expertise and occupation overseas.
V 13.3. The following are permitted paid engagements:
1. (a) an academic who is highly qualified within their field of expertise, coming to examine students and/or participate in or chair selection panels, and have been invited by a UK higher education institution, or a UK-based research or arts organisation as part of that institution or organisation’s quality assurance processes; and
2. (b) an expert coming to give lectures in their subject area, where they have been invited by a higher education institution, or a UK-based research or arts organisation, and this does not amount to filling a teaching position for the host organisation; and
3. (c) an overseas designated pilot examiner coming to assess UK-based pilots to ensure they meet the national aviation regulatory requirements of other countries, where they have been invited by an approved training organisation based in the UK that is regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority for that purpose; and
4. (d) a qualified lawyer coming to provide advocacy for a court or tribunal hearing, arbitration or other form of dispute resolution for legal proceedings within the UK, where they have been invited by a client; and
5. (e) a professional artist, entertainer, or musician coming to carry out an activity directly relating to their profession, where they have been invited by a creative (arts or entertainment) organisation, agent or broadcaster based in the UK; and
6. (f) a Professional Sportsperson coming to carry out an activity directly relating to their profession, where they have been invited by a sports organisation, agent, or broadcaster based in the UK; and
7. (g) a speaker coming to the UK to give a one-off or short series of talks and speeches, where they have been invited to a conference or other event.

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Permitted Paid Engagements Visit Visa vs Work visas

Permitted Paid Engagements for one month

Comparison of PPE visa vs other work visas

🧾 1. Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) under the Standard Visitor Visa

✅ What It’s For:

👤 Who it’s for:

🔒 Limitations:

🎭 2. Creative Worker (Temporary Worker) Visa

✅ What It’s For:

👤 Who it’s for:

✔️ Flexibility:

Can religious scholars apply for the PPE Visit Visa?

Yes!

✅ What the PPE Visa Allows (for Religious Scholars)

✅ Conditions:

⚠️ Restrictions

📝 Documents Required (Typically):

✅ Example Scenario

Additional eligibility requirement for Visitors coming to the UK for Permitted Paid Engagements

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