The Service Supplier route allows you to sponsor overseas workers undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK.
The worker must be either:
- A contractual service supplier employed by an overseas service provider, or
- An independent professional established outside the UK, where the work is part of a contract covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements.
Eligibility for the Service Supplier Route
To be eligible under the Service Supplier route, you must:
- Be aged 18 or over.
- Be currently working as or for an overseas service provider that will supply services to your UK sponsor.
- Have worked as or for an overseas service provider outside the UK for a cumulative period of 12 months.
- Ensure that your UK sponsor has a contract with an overseas service provider, which has been registered with the Home Office, and under which you, as a Service Supplier, will work.
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor for the job you intend to do.
- Have a genuine job offer.
- Ensure that the job is at an appropriate skill level.
- Ensure that the job is skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (equivalent to a graduate-level role), unless you are employed by an overseas service provider supplying one of the following services:
- Fashion and modelling – no qualification required
- Chef de cuisine – an advanced technical qualification required
- Entertainment services (excluding audio-visual services under the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement) – no qualification required
- Management consulting services and services related to management consulting – must have a university degree (equivalent level technical qualifications are not permitted)
- Advertising or translation – must have relevant qualifications
- Technical testing and analysis – must have a university degree or a relevant technical qualification
- Have professional experience in the sector in which you will supply services:
- 3 years’ experience for most roles.
- 6 years’ experience if supplying chef de cuisine services under the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement.
- 6 years’ experience if you are a self-employed overseas service provider.
- Satisfy a nationality requirement.
- Have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds.
- Provide a valid TB certificate, if required.
Dependents
Your dependents (partner and children) can join you under this visa; however, they must meet the relationship and financial requirements.
Application Costs
- £319 Home Office application fee
- Annual Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year
In addition to these fees, you are typically expected to have at least £1,270 in a personal account to show that you can financially support yourself.
This route does not lead to a settlement.
