SERVICE SUPPLIER VISA
If you work for an overseas business as a contractual service supplier or are a self-employed independent professional working with an overseas business, you can come to the UK for a temporary assignment to provide services covered by one of the UK's international trade agreements.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
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Work for your sponsor's UK branch or subsidiary for between
6-12 months, depending on the type of trade deal you are providing services under. -
Bring your spouse, partner and/or child
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Leave the UK and return without issue
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Switch to a different visa
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Study
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Work in a role different to what is stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
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Take on a second job.
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Receive public funds (benefits)
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Apply to settle permanently in the UK
WHAT YOU CAN'T DO
REQUIREMENTS
Valid Passport
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You must have a passport which is valid at the time you apply.
Current Employment
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You must have worked for the overseas employer for at least 12 months outside the UK.
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If you are self-employed, you must have at least 12 months' professional experience as a service provider.
English Language
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There is no English language requirement for a Service Supplier visa.
Temporary Worker licence
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Your sponsor must apply for and obtain a Temporary Worker licence on the GBM: Service Supplier route to gain the necessary authorisation to sponsor you.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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Your sponsor must assign a CoS to you for an eligible SOC code before you make your visa application.
Eligible Occupation Code
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The SOC code stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship must be eligible under the GBM route. If it is not, you may still apply for the Service Supplier visa if you have a bachelor's degree (or higher) or a technical qualification that is equivalent to a bachelor's degree. You will also need at least 3 years' professional experience (relevant to the service you currently provide to your overseas employer) or 6 years' professional experience (if you are self-employed).
Valid Trade Agreement
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Your work must be covered by a valid UK trade agreement.
Financial Requirements
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You must show sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependants joining you in the UK.
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The current requirement is at least £1,270 in your account for at least 28 consecutive days with the last day being within 31 days of the date of application.
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If your dependants are joining you, you must show an additional £285 for your partner, £315 for your first child, and £200 for each additional child. Example - You must show £1,870 if you are applying with your wife and child
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You do not need to show these funds if:
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your sponsor certifies your maintenance
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you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
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Additional Requirements
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You may be required to provide a tuberculosis test depending on which country you are applying from.
You can apply for a Service Supplier visa up to 3 months before the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
The application fee for a Service Supplier visa is currently £319.
You will also have to pay £1,035 per year for the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The same fees apply to any dependants included in your application or who apply to join you at a later date.
TERM AND FEES
PROCESSING
The processing time for Service Supplier visa applications is approximately 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK and 8 weeks for applications from within the UK.
You may be eligible to pay for a faster decision by purchasing the priority or super-priority service, depending on availability.
Successful Application
If your application for a Service Supplier visa is successful, you will receive confirmation in your passport and your immigration status will be reflected in your UKVI account.
Application Refused
If your application for a Service Supplier visa is refused, you will receive a refusal letter outlining the reasons. There is no right of appeal, but you may consider applying for an administrative review if you believe an incorrect decision has been made based on a casework error.
An application for administrative review costs £80 and can be made online. It must be made within 28 days of the refusal if you applied from outside the UK.
OUTCOME
NEXT STEP
Unfortunately, the Service Supplier visa is not a route to settlement. The maximum time you can stay in the UK is the shorter of:
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The end date on your Certificate of Sponsorship (plus 14 days)
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6 or 12 months, depending on the specific trade agreement you are providing services under.
HOW WE CAN HELP
Service Supplier visas can be complex, particularly if your employer is unsure about your eligibility. Mistakes can be costly, time-consuming, and may have a significant impact on the business and future immigration applications to the Home Office. This means it is very important to have experts by your side who can make the process easier and give much needed confidence to make a strong application.
At Lace Law LLP, we offer comprehensive support throughout the Temporary Worker licence and Service Supplier visa processes. From your initial consultation to the final decision, you will have a dedicated expert who will meticulously prepare your application, maintain regular communication, and promptly respond to any concerns along the way. We pride ourselves on this personal approach, which we feel not only provides a greater experience to you, but also increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Don't let the process be more stressful than it needs to be. Contact us today to have a dedicated partner by your side on your immigration journey.
