UK Service Supplier Visa

What is the Service Supplier Visa?

The UK Service Supplier 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 Service Supplier visa allows overseas service providers and self-employed service providers to come to the UK on a temporary basis in order to provide a service to a UK company as part of a contract. The contract must be covered by a valid trade agreement.

Service Supplier Visa eligibility requirements

In order to apply for the Service Supplier Visa, individuals must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be an employee of an overseas business or a self-employed service provider.
• Have a certificate of sponsorship from an approved UK sponsor.
• Be coming to the UK to provide a service which is covered by a valid international trade agreement.
• Do an eligible job (or have the relevant experience or qualifications).
• Have worked for their employer for at least 12 months or have 12 months of professional experience if self-employed.
• Have enough money to support themselves in the UK (at least £1,270) unless exempt.

Service Supplier Visa: Sponsorship requirement

To be eligible for a Service Supplier 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.

Service Supplier Visa: Salary requirement

Unlike other Global Business Mobility Visas, employers who are approved to sponsor individuals under the Service Supplier Visa are not required to satisfy a salary requirement. However, the National Minimum Wage will still apply.

How long is the Service Supplier Visa valid for?

Individuals with a Service Supplier Visa can stay in the UK for 6 or 12 months (this depends on the trade agreement), or the time given on their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days (whichever is shorter).

Individuals can apply to extend their Service Supplier Visa, providing that:

• They are still contracted to work for the sponsor who provided the certificate of sponsorship.
• Their job, qualifications and experience still satisfies the eligibility requirements. 
• They have not exceeded the maximum stay allowed.

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 Service Supplier Visa

Individuals with a Service Supplier 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 Service Supplier visa).

How to apply for the Service Supplier Visa

Applicants wishing to apply for a Service Supplier 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 Service Supplier Visa

Individuals in the UK may be able to switch to the Service Supplier 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 Service Supplier Visa from abroad.

Application fees and the Service Supplier Visa

An individual applying for a Service Supplier 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.

Correct at time of writing - 6th February 2024

Employers will be required to £21 (per worker) to assign a certificate of sponsorship.