This visa is for overseas workers temporarily seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment. This is a brand-new route, designed to facilitate trade and boost the UK economy. With the Secondment Worker visa, there must be a high-value contract between the overseas employer and the UK sponsor. The contract between the overseas employer and the UK sponsor must be worth at least £50 million before the overseas employer can second workers to the UK. There is no salary threshold on the Secondment Worker visa.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a UK Secondment Worker visa, applicants must be at least 18 years old, currently employed by an overseas business with a contract with a UK sponsor, and have worked for that business outside the UK for at least 12 months. They need to earn a total of 40 points based on sponsorship and job offer at the appropriate skill level. This includes having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK licensed sponsor and being sponsored for a job listed in the Skilled Occupations Appendix. Compliance with immigration regulations and providing a valid tuberculosis test certificate is also required for applicants from listed countries.
UK Secondment Worker Visa sponsorship requirements
The UK Secondment Worker visa requires sponsorship from a Home Office-approved employer with an A-rated sponsor licence. The sponsor must have an eligible contract with an overseas business worth at least £10 million per year, or £50 million in total, to meet the sponsorship requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to apply for a UK Secondment Worker visa?
To apply for a UK Secondment Worker visa, the applicant must complete an online application using their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number, issued by their sponsor within 3 months of the application date. They need to prove their identity, provide supporting documents, attend an appointment for biometric information, and have a valid sponsorship certificate, passport, evidence of work outside the UK, proof of funds, and a tuberculosis test certificate if required. After submitting the application, proving identity, providing documents, and paying the fee, a decision is typically made within 3 weeks for applications outside the UK and 8 weeks for in-country applications.
How much does the visa cost?
The application fee is £298.
How long does a UK Secondment Worker visa last?
The UK Secondment Worker visa allows individuals to come to or stay in the UK for up to one year initially, with the possibility of extending their stay for an additional year. However, the maximum continuous period a visa-holder can stay on this route is two years. It's important to note that Secondment Workers are also subject to the maximum cumulative period for the GBM routes, which means they can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if they have spent time on other GBM or Intra-Company routes.
It's worth mentioning that the UK Secondment Worker visa does not lead to settlement in the UK. However, visa-holders may be eligible to apply for leave to remain under a different immigration route if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Can dependants join visa holders on the UK Secondment Worker visa route?
Dependants of UK Secondment Workers can join them on the visa route if they meet specific criteria, including partners and children. Unmarried partners must have lived together for at least 2 years in a relationship similar to marriage. The relationship must be genuine, with a clear intention to reside together in the UK. Dependents must apply while in the UK and meet certain eligibility requirements. This includes proving identity, providing biometric information, submitting supporting documents, paying fees, and meeting financial requirements.
How can UK Visas help?
Our business immigration specialists provide guidance to deploy personnel under the Secondment Worker route, including advice on the sponsorship obligations for employers and the visa application process for your employees. As a team of immigration advisers and former Home Office personnel, we can work in support of your in-house HR team or take care of all aspects of your sponsor licence and visa applications.