UK Service Supplier Visa: Global Business Mobility Routes
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UK Service Supplier visa is part of new Global Business Mobility routes and is designed for contractual service suppliers and independent professionals who need to come to the UK on a temporary basis to carry out work.
Our immigration team, led by Dr Lusine Navasardyan, has vast experience in assisting businesses to bring their overseas workers to the UK. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive and reliable advice to employers looking to access foreign talent and skills. Our team will guide you in full on the requirements of UK Service Supplier visa and the evidence needed.
Whether you are a UK-based business looking to use the services of an overseas supplier or an overseas supplier that is looking to post its staff to the UK to complete a project, speak to our experienced UK visa lawyers for the best immigration advice.
Service Supplier Worker Visa UK (FAQs)
What is the UK Service Supplier visa?
The UK Service Supplier visa is for employees of overseas businesses, or a self-employed independent professional based overseas, who are required to carry out certain temporary work in the UK. Through the Service Supplier visa, you can undertake a temporary assignment in the UK, to provide a service to a UK business approved as a sponsor, under a contract covered by a valid international trade agreement.
If you are the employee applying under this visa and have a partner and children, you may be joined or accompanied by those dependants. Please be aware that the Service Supplier visa does not lead to settlement in the UK. However, you may be able to switch to a different immigration route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, which does lead to settlement and ‘indefinite leave to remain’ (ILR).
What are the requirements for a Service Supplier visa?
To be eligible for a Service Supplier visa, you must be:
- 18 years of age or over
- National of the country (or territory) the overseas service provider is based
- Employed for an overseas business or a self-employed service provider based overseas
- Providing a service to a UK business under a contract that is covered by a valid international trade agreement
- Working an eligible job
- Sponsored by an approved UK Sponsor.
In addition, you must also show proof of:
- Valid ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from your UK sponsor
- Work for your overseas employer, or as a self-employed service provider, for a cumulative 12 month period
- Enough savings to support yourself without relying on public funds
- Valid TB certificate, if required.
What are the requirements for the service contract for this route?
Essentially, the UK business sponsoring someone on the Service Supplier route must have a contract with the employer overseas, in respect of providing a service that is covered by one of UK’s International Agreements.
The UK has a number of International Trade agreements, our UK Immigration Lawyers can assess whether the services you intend to provide in the UK fall under one of these Agreements.
Such a contract should stipulate that the overseas business is required to provide services to the UK business and their employee, as a Service Supplier, will need to conduct work in the UK. The contract itself will need to be registered with the Home Office before the UK business can sponsor anyone on it.
Our lawyers will be able to advise you in respect of the entire process, from getting the Sponsor Licence is needed, registering your Contract with the Home Office and then arranging for the employee’s Service Supplier visa.
How do I know if the job is eligible for a Service Supplier visa?
If the job is on the table of eligible jobs for the Global Business Mobility Scheme, then you/your employee can apply under this route. However, in certain circumstances, you might still be able to apply for a Service Supplier visa, even if the occupation is not on the eligible jobs list.
If your job is not a listed eligible occupation, you have other options available to apply for a Service Supplier visa, provided that you demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience.
To show relevant qualifications and experience, you would need:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher (any subject will do)
- A technical qualification equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
- 3 years of professional experience relevant to the service you provide if you’re an overseas employee
- 6 years of professional experience, if you’re self-employed
If you are unsure whether your job is covered under the eligible codes or have difficulty identifying a relevant code, please speak to our Immigration team for guidance on this.
How to evidence 12 months’ work overseas for Service Supplier Visa?
There are many ways to show proof of employment by your employer over the necessary 12 month period. Below are some examples:
- Printed payslips
- Online payslips (with a letter from your sponsor signed by a senior staff member)
- Bank or building society statements
- Building society passbook.
If you are self-employed, there are also ways to show evidence of work you have done over the 12-month period. You can provide:
- Invoices for work you undertook
- Copies of business accounts
- Accountant’s letter confirming the activity of the business and its profits
- Leases on business premises
- Adverts or marketing material for the business
- Business or personal bank statements to prove the income of the business.
How much savings do I need to have for a Service Supplier visa?
Unless you are exempt, you need to have at least £1,270 available to support yourself in the UK.
Can my partner and children join me?
If you are an individual applying for a Service Supplier visa, your partner and children can join you under this route. They must, however, meet the eligibility criteria.
Our team of experienced UK immigration lawyers can assist your partner and children with their application to join you as your dependents. By letting our immigration experts guide you through the eligibility criteria for dependants, you can ensure the best outcome for your family.
To be successful, your dependents will need to prove:
- Relationship with you as a husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- Relationship with a child under the age of 18.
Once they successfully obtain a visa, this will be for the same length as that of the main applicant.
How long can I stay in the UK on a Service Supplier visa?
On each occasion you are granted the UK Service Supplier visa, you can reside and work in the UK on a Service Supplier visa for up to 6 months. In the case where your contract is covered under a UK international Trade Agreement with a specified country, the length can be for up to 12 months. Please speak to our Immigration lawyers for clear guidance based on your circumstances.
You can have multiple assignments as a Service Supplier; however, those cannot lead to an overall stay in the UK for more than 5 years out of any 6-year period.
How do I apply for a Service Supplier visa?
To apply for a Service Supplier visa, you will need to first have your Certificate of Sponsorship. This is issued by the UK-based sponsor organisation, which will be the beneficiary of the provided service.
The application is done online, and you will need to attend a visa centre and submit your biometrics following the online process. You will need to ensure that the Home Office has all the relevant evidence in support of your application.
How can RVS Solicitors help you?
At RVS Solicitors, we have put together a dedicated team of immigration solicitors who have extensive experience in dealing with overseas workers and visa matters. They will expertly guide you in all aspects of your immigration, listening closely to your concerns to provide solutions best suited to your needs. Our immigration team understands the importance of undertaking work in the UK as an overseas worker, and the accompanying difficulties. We are committed to doing everything possible to make sure you achieve your objectives, quickly and effectively.
Our wide range of services, from in-depth expert advice in respect of your visa application to full service, aims to satisfy all aspects of your immigration needs. Take a moment to speak to our immigration solicitors for more information.
If you wish to bring over workers or apply for a UK Service Supplier visa, please contact our Immigration Solicitors at our London office at 020 3372 5125 or complete our online form to make an appointment. Find out more information on our fees and timescales here.
To read more about similar issues please visit our blog or read on how we have helped others in similar circumstances by visiting our success stories.
