UK Secondment Worker Visa

What is the Secondment Worker visa?

The UK Secondment Worker visa is a sub-category of the Global Business Mobility visa which has been designed to allow overseas businesses to establish a trading presence in the UK and to transfer overseas staff to the UK.

The Secondment Worker visa allows overseas employees to be transferred to the UK to carry out an eligible job as part of a high-value contract or investment. This is a brand new visa route which has been designed to encourage trade with the UK and boost the country’s economy.

Secondment Worker visa eligibility requirements

In order to apply for the UK Secondment Worker visa, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be an existing employee of an overseas business which has a high-value contract with the UK sponsor.

• A ‘high-value contract’ is one on which is worth at least £10 million a year and not less than £50 million in total.

• Have a certificate of sponsorship from an approved UK sponsor.

• Do an eligible job (or have the relevant experience or qualifications).

• Have worked for the overseas employer for at least 12 months.

• Have at least £1,270 upon arrival in the UK (unless exempt).

Secondment Worker visa: Sponsorship requirement

To be eligible for a Secondment Worker visa, applicants must have a valid certificate of sponsorship for the job which they will be carrying out whilst in the UK. Applicants will be given their certificate of sponsorship from their employer and will be required to provide the reference number as part of the application.

Secondment Worker visa: Skill level requirement

Applicants for the UK Secondment Worker visa are required to show that they are coming to the UK to do an eligible job which is skilled to RQF level 6 or above (graduate level).

Secondment Worker visa: Salary requirement

Unlike other Global Business Mobility visas, employers who are approved to sponsor individuals under the Secondment Worker visa are not required to satisfy a salary requirement. However, the National Minimum Wage will still apply.

How long is the Secondment Worker visa valid for?

Individuals with a Secondment Worker visa can stay in the UK for either 12 months after the start date of their job (as listed in the certificate of sponsorship) or the time given on their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days (whichever is shorter).

Individuals can apply to extend the UK Secondment Worker visa by 12 months, providing that:

• They are still working for the same UK sponsor who provided the certificate of sponsorship.

• They are still working on the same high-value contract.

• They have not exceeded the maximum stay of 2 years in the UK.

As with all of the Global Business Mobility routes, individuals can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period. Therefore, if an individual has already spent time in the UK on a GMB route, Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa or Intra-company Transfer visa then they may not be able to stay in the UK for as long.

Dependents and the Secondment Worker visa

Individuals with a Secondment Worker visa are able to bring their dependents (partner and children) to the UK with them (providing they are eligible). If dependents make a successful application then they will be able to work in the UK full-time and their visa will end on the same date as the main applicant (the individual with the Secondment Worker visa).

How to apply for the Secondment Worker visa

Applicants wishing to apply for an UK Secondment Worker visa must make an online application. As part of the application process, applicants will be required to provide a range of documents in order to confirm their identity and that they meet the eligibility requirements. 

Applicants may be required to provide biometric information which (depending on circumstance) will be done by using the ‘UK Immigration ID Check’ app or by attending a biometrics appointment at a visa application centre. If this additional information is required, applicants will be informed at the time of application.

Switching to the Secondment Worker visa

Individuals in the UK may be able to switch to the Secondment Worker visa if they meet the eligibility requirements. 

If you are currently in the UK on a Student Visa, in addition to the eligibility requirements you must meet one of the following:

• Completed the course you were sponsored to study; or

• The start date of your job is after your course has finished; or

• Studied for a PhD for at least 24 months. 

However, if you are in the UK on one of the following you cannot apply to switch to this visa. 

• A Visit Visa;

• A short-term Student Visa;

• A Parent of a Child Student Visa;

• A Seasonal Worker Visa;

• A Domestic Worker in a Private Household Visa;

• On immigration bail; or

• You were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules.

Instead, you must make an application for a Secondment Worker Visa from abroad.

Application fees and the Secondment Worker visa

An individual applying for a UK Secondment Worker visa will need to pay an application fee which is £298. Applicants will also be required to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge which is £1035 per year.

Employers will be required to £25 (per worker) to assign a certificate of sponsorship.

Correct at the time of writing - 6th February 2024