Immigration Update: UK Government Unveils Remote Work Perks for Short-Term Visitors

At a Glance

• Since January 31, 2024, individuals traveling to the United Kingdom have been allowed to work remotely while visiting. Visitors are prohibited from engaging with the local market, working for organizations in the UK, or directly providing goods and services to the public. 
• These rules prohibit visitors from traveling to the UK with the primary purpose of remote working, which is a significant difference compared to the ‘digital nomad’ visas offered by other countries. 
• We offer a table of many countries with so-called digital nomad visas, including current fees and minimum income requirements. This type of visa can allow workers, freelancers and self-employed individuals to live in one country whilst working remotely for a company located in a different country.

UK Changes

In December 2023, the UK Home Office announced changes for those traveling to the United Kingdom as visitors. The changes were prompted in an effort to relax the rules for individuals being granted entry to the United Kingdom as visitors. 

Since January 31, 2024, individuals traveling to the United Kingdom have been allowed to work remotely while visiting. The primary intent of their visit must be that of a visitor — e.g., seeing family, having a holiday, attending a conference or business meetings, or engaging in other nonwork-related activities. 

The permission granted is strictly limited to the remote performance of employment duties. Visitors are prohibited from engaging with the local market, working for organizations in the UK, or directly providing goods and services to the public. These rules prohibit visitors from traveling to the UK with the primary purpose of remote working, which is a significant difference compared to the digital nomad visas offered by other countries.

The new remote-working provision in the immigration rules permits activities such as responding to emails, answering phone calls, or participating in remote meetings, as well as performing any other employment duties that can be completed using telecommunications.

The visa changes have also created additional opportunities for researchers, scientists and academics, who now have permission to conduct research in the United Kingdom as part of their visit. The research can be independent or relate directly to their employment overseas. Previously, travellers would have been obligated to apply for a visa to engage in such activities.

Furthermore, the list of Permitted Paid Engagements (PPE) will be extended to allow payment for speakers at conferences. PPE visitors will still need to plan and carry out any activities within 30 days of their arrival in the country. 

Previous Situation and Related Impact

Under the previous rules, workers coming to the United Kingdom as a visitor were unable to: 

• work remotely;
• work directly with clients in the United Kingdom;
• be paid for speaking at conferences; or 
• engage in research if they were researchers, scientists or academics.

Instead, workers had to apply for an appropriate work visa to engage in those activities, a process that required more time and resources — for example, sponsorship from a UK company or another form of immigration permission. 

The changes to the visitor rules mean that business travel to the United Kingdom will become more flexible and attractive, and more reflective of 21st century workplace realities. This is a pragmatic approach to modern, remote-working business practices, which is not reflected in the immigration rules of many other countries. For example, and in direct contrast, the United States does not at this time permit foreign visitors to undertake remote work activities there (although there have been unsubstantiated rumours that this may be considered). 

Comparison to Other Countries

As traditional workplace boundaries have become more flexible, and especially as a result of the COVID pandemic, the concept of digital visas or e-visas has increased in popularity worldwide, with many countries introducing so-called digital nomad visas. This type of visa can allow workers, freelancers and self-employed individuals to live in one country whilst working remotely for a company located in a different country. 

Here are some examples of the ‘digital nomad’ visas being offered by some countries:

Conclusion

Many countries worldwide have introduced digital nomad visas in response to the changing working culture. Whilst the United Kingdom has decided against introducing such a visa, the changes implemented by the UK government will remove certain boundaries in the business travel context. The changes to the laws governing visitors in the United Kingdom do not, however, replace Skilled Worker visas (or other work visas), and visitors should educate themselves on the restrictions in order to avoid violating immigration laws.