UNITED KINGDOM: Remote Work Allowed for Visitors Despite No Digital Nomad Visa

In this iPMI Global In Focus Digital Nomad article, iPMI report author and market analyst Ian Youngman, takes a look at news that visitors to the UK may work remotely, despite the fact there is no digital nomad visa.

• In an era of state attacks on immigration, rather quietly sneaked into law from 31 January 2024 was an immigration rule that allows visitors to the UK to work remotely.
• The United Kingdom does not have and has no plans to launch a digital nomad visa.
• From January 31, 2024, individuals traveling to the UK are allowed to work remotely while visiting.
• The primary intent of their visit must be that of a visitor (a vacation, meeting with family members, attending a conference or business meetings, or engaging in other non-work-related activities)
• These rules prohibit visitors from traveling to the UK with the primary purpose of remote working.
• Permission granted is strictly limited to the remote performance of employment duties.
• Visitors are prohibited from engaging with the local market, working for organisations in the UK, or directly providing goods and services to the public.
• 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 UK as part of their visit.
• The research can be independent or relate directly to their employment overseas.

Health insurance

• While the NHS is free to citizens it is not free to visitors.
• Following the exit from the EU only a few countries have deals allowing their citizens free access to the NHS.
• The NHS charges overseas visitors for non-emergency treatment.
• If not ordinarily resident in the UK, the NHS hospital charges are 150% of the national NHS rate.

About the Author

Ian Youngman is an independent writer and researcher specialising in insurance. He writes regularly for a variety of magazines, newsletters, and on-line services. He publishes a range of market reports, and undertakes research for companies. To read his latest report, International Health Insurance 2023, please click here, or visit the REPORTS section of iPMI Global.