UK Permitted Paid Engagement
A permitted paid engagement (PPE) lets you come to the UK as an expert in your profession to do certain paid engagements or events — for example to give lectures or perform. You must be invited in writing by a UK-based organisation or client. Based on the official GOV.UK pages (gov.uk/standard-visitor and /standard-visitor/paid-engagement-event), retrieved 2026-10-11.
What a permitted paid engagement is
You can visit the UK for certain paid engagements or events (a ‘permitted paid engagement’) as an expert in your profession — for example, to give lectures or perform. It is part of the Standard Visitor route, so you must also meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor.
The three conditions
You can visit the UK for a permitted paid engagement if you:
- have a written invitation from a UK-based organisation or client for a pre-arranged event or other permitted engagement;
- can show you are an expert in your profession;
- are 18 or over.
The engagement must be relevant to your expertise, qualifications and main job in your home country.
The first-month rule and the 6-month stay
You can come to the UK for up to 6 months, but you must do the engagement in the first month.
Who can be invited
You can be invited:
- as a professional artist, entertainer or musician;
- as a professional sportsperson;
- as a qualified lawyer — to represent a client;
- to give a lecture or series of lectures;
- to speak at a conference;
- as an academic — to be a student examiner or assessor;
- as an air pilot examiner.
Who can invite you, and what you can use to show you are an expert, depends on your profession. For example, a professional artist, entertainer or musician must have an invitation from a UK-based creative organisation (such as a gallery, university arts faculty, school or events venue), an agent or agency, or a broadcaster, and must be able to show they are established in their home country — through published work, publicity for recent performances, media coverage and reviews, or awards. A qualified lawyer must have an invitation from their client and provide confirmation of their right of audience or ‘temporary call’.
Before you apply
The official page advises you to check that you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor, check whether you need a visa to visit the UK, and apply for a Standard Visitor visa online if you need one.
Related
Prepare the paperwork with the UK permitted paid engagement visa documents checklist. The wider route is covered in UK Standard Visitor visa.
Frequently asked questions
What is a permitted paid engagement?
You can visit the UK for certain paid engagements or events (a 'permitted paid engagement') as an expert in your profession, for example to give lectures or perform.
What are the conditions for a permitted paid engagement?
You must have a written invitation from a UK-based organisation or client, be able to show you are an expert in your profession, and be 18 or over.
How long can I stay for a permitted paid engagement?
You can come to the UK for up to 6 months, but you must do the engagement in the first month.
Who can invite me?
Invitations depend on your profession. For example, a professional artist, entertainer or musician must be invited by a UK-based creative organisation, agent or agency, or broadcaster.
What professions can do a permitted paid engagement?
Professional artists, entertainers or musicians; professional sportspeople; qualified lawyers representing a client; lecturers; conference speakers; academic examiners or assessors; and air pilot examiners.
Does the engagement have to relate to my job?
Yes. The engagement must be relevant to your expertise, qualifications and main job in your home country.
Source: GOV.UK, “Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor” (gov.uk/standard-visitor) and “Permitted paid engagements and events” (gov.uk/standard-visitor/paid-engagement-event), retrieved 2026-10-11. Rules change, so confirm the current position before you apply.