Transport secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the move in a tweet posted shortly after 5pm on Thursday (3 December), which he said would "allow more travel to support the economy and jobs".
Several other professions will be exempted, including performing arts professionals, journalists – and "recently signed elite sportspersons".
The new exemptions will come into effect from 4am on Saturday (5 December).
It says in the guidance the exemption for business travellers applies to individuals undertaking specific business activity which would deliver a significant benefit to the UK economy – including activity that creates or preserves 50+ UK jobs.
