Service Supplier Visa

What is a Service Supplier Visa?

A Service Supplier visa enables an employee of an overseas company, or a self-employed professional based overseas to temporarily come to the UK to provide contracted services to a UK company.

What Are the Key Eligibility Requirements for a Service Supplier Visa?

In order to successfully apply for a Service Supplier visa applicants must meet the following key requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must be an employee of an overseas business, or a self-employed service provider based overseas;
• Must be fulfilling a contract under a valid international trade agreement;
• Must be sponsored to do an eligible job or have relevant qualifications and experience;
• Must have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from their employer with information about the work they will do in the UK;
• Must have worked for their sponsor outside the UK for at least 12 months or have at least 12 months’ professional experience if the applicant is a self-employed service provider apply;
• The job offer is for a genuine vacancy;
• Must evidence they have sufficient money to support themselves or their sponsor must confirm that they will support the applicant. If, however an applicant has been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more, they will not need to show proof that they have sufficient money to support themselves; and
• May need to provide a tuberculosis (TB) certificate depending on which country the applicant resides in.

How Long is a Service Supplier Visa Valid for?

A Service Supplier visa is granted according to the type of trade agreement an applicant is providing services under.

An applicant will be granted a visa to stay in the UK for whichever is the shorter of:

• 6 months or 12 months - this depends on the trade agreement they are providing services under; or
• 6 months or 12 months - this depends on the trade agreement they are providing services under; or

Can a Service Supplier Visa be Extended?

If an applicant has not reached the maximum stay permitted under a Service Supplier visa, before the expiry of their visa, an applicant must apply to the Home Office to extend their stay in the UK.

The maximum time period applicants can stay on a Service Supplier visa is 6 or 12 months depending on the type of trade agreement they are providing services under.

To note, applicants can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if they have spent time on any of these visas:

• Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
• Intra-company Transfer visa
• Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
• UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Does a Service Supplier Visa Lead to Settlement?

The Global Business Mobility routes do not lead to settlement. However once in the UK, under this visa applicants may be able to apply to switch to another category such as the Skilled Worker route which does lead to settlement.

To note, any permission applicants have in the Global Business Mobility route will not count towards the qualifying period of stay required to settle.

Can Dependants Join or Accompany Service Suppliers?

The partner and children of an applicant can accompany or join them so long as they meet the eligibility criteria. If this is met, then they will be issued a visa which will have the same end date as the Service Supplier visa holder.

How Long Does it Take For a Decision to be Made?

The Home Office will usually process a Service Supplier visa application within 3 weeks if the application is made from outside the UK. If an application is made within the UK a decision is usually made within 8 weeks.

If eligible, applicants will be advised whether they can apply to get a decision faster. The Home Office charge additional fees for these priority services.

How Much Does it Cost?

The Home Office fee for a Service Supplier visa is £259.

Applicants will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This is usually £624 per year.

How We Can Help You

Our highly experienced team will provide expert advice and guidance to you throughout your immigration journey.

If you have any questions, please complete our online enquiry form or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call us on 01724 701111 and one of our experts will be happy to assist you.