Search
Contact
Login
Share this article
When traveling to Belgium, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work permit. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Belgium, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Please note that permissible business activities have specific restrictions depending on the activity performed. Please consult your immigration counsel for an individual assessment prior to travel.
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Belgium.
Belgium is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Belgium and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Belgian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Belgium, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in specialized professional activities under various exemptions for a limited period without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an exemption is applicable.
The requirements for a work permit depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Belgium. The most common Belgian work permits are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain a work permit in order to work in Belgium. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Belgium.
Additional work permit exemptions are available in Belgium under Vander Elst rules. In these cases, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for work permit exemptions should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Belgium.
Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.
When traveling to Austria, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Austria, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Austria.
Austria is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Austria and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Austrian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Austria, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain professional activities without obtaining work authorization while on assignment under the Van der Elst rules, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an assignment exemption is applicable.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Austria. The most common types of work authorization for Austria are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland and third-country nationals who are dependents of an EU/EEA/Swiss national, are not required to obtain work authorization in order to work in Austria. Additional groups, including scientific researchers, foreign media correspondents, and select exchange students may be eligible for work authorization exemptions. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Austria. Please consult your immigration counsel prior to travel to determine your eligibility for an exemption.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Austria.
When traveling to Switzerland, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if work authorization will be required. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Switzerland, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in Switzerland.
Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Switzerland and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Swiss law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Switzerland.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain professional activities on a short-term basis without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an exemption is applicable.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Switzerland. The most common types of work authorization for Switzerland are:
Some categories of foreign nationals are exempt from work authorization requirements, including those who have been granted permanent residency. In these cases, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for work authorization exemptions should be obtained prior to traveling.
When traveling to France, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work permit. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
What types of activities may I engage in as a business visitor?
As a business visitor to France, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in France.
France is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to France and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under French law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in France, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain professional activities without obtaining work authorization while on assignment, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an assignment exemption is applicable.
The requirements for a work permit depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in France. The most common French work permits are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain a work permit in order to work in France. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in France.
Additional work permit exemptions for short-term and long-term assignments are available in France, such as under Vander Elst rules and Employee of EU Service Provider. In this case, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work permit exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in France.
When traveling to Ireland, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work permit. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Ireland, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Ireland.
Nationals of select countries, who have Short Stay “C” U.K. Visas, can enter Ireland for business purposes without needing to obtain an additional Irish Visa. Eligible applicants can travel to Ireland only within the time remaining on their leave to remain in the United Kingdom.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Irish law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Ireland, even if conducted for a short duration.
The requirements for a work permit depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Ireland. The most common Irish work permits are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain a work permit in order to work in Ireland. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Ireland.
Additionally, the U.K.-Ireland Common Travel Area provides reciprocal rights to Irish and U.K. citizens to travel, work, and reside in each other’s country on the basis of their passport and without further immigration processing, such as work or residence permit procedures.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Ireland.
When traveling to Germany, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Germany, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Germany.
Germany is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Germany and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
As a business visitor, the activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under German law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Germany, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, business travelers may engage in specialized professional and technical activities by obtaining an abbreviated work permission under Paragraph 19, although certain strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an abbreviated work permission is applicable.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Germany. The most common types of work authorization for Germany are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain a work permit in order to work in Germany. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Germany.
Additional work authorization exemptions are available in Germany under Vander Elst rules. In this case, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work authorization exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Germany.
When traveling to Singapore, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Singapore, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
All foreign nationals entering Singapore for business purposes must obtain a Short-Term Visit Pass (STVP) upon arrival. In addition to the STVP, nationals for certain restricted countries must obtain an Entry Visa from a Singapore Consulate or Embassy prior to travel. Nationals of many countries, including the European Union, United States and Australia, are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain an Entry Visa. Additionally, foreign nationals in possession of valid Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Cards (ABTC) endorsed with “Valid for travel to SGP” may be eligible to enter Singapore and engage in permissible business activities without obtaining a visa. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Singaporean law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Singapore, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in select short-term professional activities without obtaining a Work Pass, although pre-approval and notification requirements must be met. An individual assessment is recommended before deciding whether a Work Pass Exemption is applicable.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, your earnings and on the nature and duration of your work in Singapore. The most common types of work authorization for Singapore are:
Singapore does not offer long-term work authorization exemptions.
When traveling to Japan, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Japan, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Japan. Additionally, holders of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Cards (ABTC) may be eligible to enter Japan and engage in permissible business activities without obtaining a visa. If you are not eligible for visa-waivered entry, you must obtain a Temporary Visitor Visa from a Japanese Embassy or Consulate prior to travel.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Japanese law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Japan, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, business travelers may engage in specialized professional and technical activities, though an after-sales agreement and additional eligibility criteria may apply. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether a work authorization exemption is appropriate.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Japan. The most common categories of Japanese work-authorized statuses of residence are:
There are no work authorization exemptions based on nationality or specific industries in Japan.
When traveling to Indonesia, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Indonesia, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Citizens of most countries are eligible to enter Indonesia on visa-waivered status and conduct limited business activities. However, under Indonesian law, permissible business activities are extremely restricted, and it is highly recommended that all business travelers obtain a Visit Visa (Business) from an Indonesian Consulate or Embassy prior to travel.
Similarly, while many nationalities may be eligible for a Visa on Arrival or an Electronic Visa on Arrival, it is recommended that all business visitors obtain a consular Visit Visa prior to traveling to Indonesia.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Indonesian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Indonesia, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in select professional activities for a short duration without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions must be met. Please contact your immigration provider for an individual assessment prior to travel to determine your eligibility for a work authorization exemption.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, the nature of your work and the duration of your intended stay in Indonesia. Foreign nationals must obtain work authorization through the Manpower Plan Approval (RPTKA), Notification and Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) application process under one of the following categories:
There are no work authorization exemptions based on nationalities in Indonesia; however, certain exemptions may apply to shareholders of a local Indonesian company or for employees in specific industries. Please seek further details from your immigration provider regarding requirements and restrictions associated with these exemptions.
When traveling to India, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip, will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to India, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Most foreign nationals, including nationals of the United States and European countries, will be required to obtain a visa prior to travel if they intend to conduct business activities in India. In most cases, foreign nationals must obtain either a Business Visa (B Visa) from an Indian Embassy or Consulate, or e-Business Visa online, prior to travel.
Travelers participating in governmental or non-governmental conferences and events are required to obtain a consular Conference Visa, or e-Conference Visa online, prior to traveling to India.
In addition to the consular visa and e-visa options, nationals of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE are eligible to obtain a Visa on Arrival (VoA) for business or conference purposes. Additional eligibility restrictions may apply. Please consult with your immigration counsel prior to travel for an individual assessment to determine eligibility.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Indian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in India, even if conducted for a short duration.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in India. The most common types of work authorization for India are:
There are no work authorization exemptions available for India.