UK Services Supplier Visa- Eligibility, Documents needed & Application Process

The Service Supplier visa is a sub-category of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) worker route. The Service Supplier route is for a foreign worker to come to or stay in the UK to undertake work assignments on a temporary basis. The worker must be an employee (a contractual service supplier) of an overseas service provider, or an independent (self-employed) professional based outside the UK, and their work to provide a service to a UK business must be under a contract that is covered by one of the UK’s international trade commitments. 

Service Supplier is a person who is applying for, or has been granted, entry clearance to the UK or permission to stay here on the Service Supplier route, or who the employer is sponsoring or intends to sponsor on that route.

Dependants (partners and children) are permitted to apply for this route. However, this visa does not lead to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or permanent settlement in the UK. 

Who needs to be sponsored on the Service Supplier visa? 

An employer will need to sponsor any overseas national (including most EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals who entered the UK after 31 December 2020) they wish to employ if the worker is not a settled worker or does not otherwise have immigration permission to work for them in the UK. 

On the other hand, certain categories of workers, including Irish citizens, people who have been granted status (Settled or Pre-settled status) under the EUSS (EU Settlement Scheme), or people with settlement (indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK), are not required to be sponsored.

Who is an eligible sponsor?

The sponsor must show there is a qualifying link between them and the overseas business that will send workers to them.

The sponsor must have at least one eligible contract with an overseas service provider for the supply of a service covered by a relevant UK’s trade commitment that is currently in force or being provisionally applied. 

Overseas service provider on the Service Supplier route

This means a business (including the business of a self-employed independent professional) established outside the UK, has no commercial presence in the UK, and: 

• has a contract to give services to a UK business which already has, or is applying to obtain, a sponsor licence for the Service Supplier route; or 

• is subcontracted to give services to a UK business (sponsor) by an overseas business that meets the definition in the immediate bullet point above

Validity requirements for the Service Supplier route

The applicant applying to obtain entry clearance to the UK or permission to stay here on the Service Supplier route must apply online on gov.uk using the specified application form. 

Applicants applying from outside the UK will have to apply using the “Global Business Mobility visa” form, and applicants applying from inside the UK will have to apply using the form “Global Business Mobility”.

An application for obtaining entry clearance to the UK or permission to stay here on the Service Supplier route must fulfil all the following requirements:

• The applicant must be 18 or over at the time of their application.

• Any visa application fee and IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) must have been paid; 

• The applicant must have enrolled their biometric information when required. 

• The applicant must have given a valid passport/other travel document to establish their nationality and identity.

• The applicant must have a CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) issued to them no more than 3 months before the date of their application;

• If the applicant for the Service Supplier visa route has, in the last 12 months prior to the date of their application, received an award from an International Scholarship agency or Government covering their fees as well as living costs for study in the UK, they must submit written consent along with the application from that agency or Government.

The person applying for permission to stay (update, switch to, or extend) as a Service Supplier must, on the date of application, be in the UK.

A person cannot apply to switch to the GBM – Service Supplier visa if they are currently in the UK on:

• A UK visitor visa

• A UK short-term student visa

• A UK Parent of a Child Student visa

• A UK Seasonal Worker visa

• A UK domestic worker in a private household visa

• Outside the Immigration Rules.

Anyone in the UK with one of the above visas must leave the UK and apply for a UK Service Supplier visa from abroad.

The applicant applying to switch to this route who currently has, or last had, permission as a student, must satisfy one of the following:

• They have completed the course of study they were sponsored for; or

• Their job's start date is after their course has finished; or

• They have studied a full-time course for a PhD for at least 24 months

Any application for the Service Supplier route that fails to meet all the validity conditions (listed above) may be rejected as invalid and not considered. 

Suitability requirements for the GBM – Service Supplier route

The applicant must not fall for refusal under the Immigration Rules - Part Suitability.

Those applying for permission to stay must not be:

(a) in breach of UK immigration laws, except that where the section called “Exceptions for overstayers” under the Immigration Rules - Part Suitability applies; or

(b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a Service Supplier

The applicant seeking permission to come to the UK as a Service Supplier must apply for and obtain entry clearance before arriving in the UK.

Further, the applicant must fulfil the nationality requirement, overseas work requirement, get a CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) from their employer, have a job at an appropriate skill level, have worked for their employer overseas, and have been assigned to the UK to do an eligible job. 

1. Points requirement

The applicant must be awarded 40 points as follows.

• 20 points will be awarded for Sponsorship; and

• 20 points will be awarded for a job at an appropriate skill level

2. Genuineness requirement

For an entry clearance or permission to stay application, the UKVI must be satisfied that the applicant genuinely intends to undertake the role described on the CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) and is capable of undertaking this role described on the CoS. 

The applicant must also have no intention to undertake employment other than in the role their sponsor is sponsoring them for, or as otherwise permitted within the conditions of the grant.

On the other hand, the applicant will not be awarded 20 points for sponsorship if the decision makers have reasonable grounds to believe that the job role they are being sponsored for does not exist, is a sham, or has been created primarily so the worker can apply for this route.

Applicants who have been assigned a CoS for a role that is not genuine will have their application refused, and it is also likely that the employer’s sponsor licence may be revoked. 

3. Financial requirements

The applicant must have £1,270 or more (held for a 28-day period) on the date of application, or their sponsor must confirm on the CoS that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant for the first month of their employment for the amount of £1,270 or more.

Those who, on the day they apply, have been residing in the UK with a valid UK visa for at least 12 months are not required to show proof of this fund.

4. Certificate of sponsorship requirement

The applicant must have received a CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship) from their employer, who must be a licensed and A-rated sponsor, unless they were last granted permission on the Service Supplier route, and are applying to continue doing the job for the same sponsor as in their last permission.

The CoS must confirm the applicant’s name, their job details, the job start date, that they are being sponsored as a Service Supplier, and other details. 

A CoS stays valid for 3 months starting from the date it is assigned to the applicant. 

5. Nationality Requirements

The applicant must be a national of the country/territory in which the overseas service provider is based

or

Permanent resident (instead of national) in certain trade-agreement cases

In specific trade agreements listed below, the applicant can qualify based on their permanent residence rather than nationality:

General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

The applicant may qualify if they are a permanent resident of that country. Eligible countries include: Armenia, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Switzerland.

Switzerland–UK Services Mobility Agreement

The applicant may qualify as a permanent resident of Switzerland. 

Or 

Nationality or residency under other specific UK trade agreements

Under some trade agreements, additional nationality options apply (depending on the trade treaty covering the applicant's contract):

UK–EU TCA (Trade and Cooperation Agreement) — The applicant can qualify as a national of an EU Member State or as a “natural person of a Party” as defined in the treaty.

Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) — The applicant can be eligible as a national of a CPTPP party country/territory or, under certain conditions, as a permanent resident of Australia, Canada, or New Zealand. 

CARIFORUM–UK Economic Partnership Agreement — in some cases, nationals of eligible CARIFORUM states may qualify (though this depends on the treaty provisions and whether the agreement is in force for that service).

6. Overseas Work Requirement 

The applicant must have worked for their employer for a minimum of 12 months outside the UK, or have a minimum of 12 months’ professional experience if they are a self-employed service provider.

They must also have worked for a minimum of 12 months for their current employer outside the UK or immediately before they apply, and in the same sector as the service they will provide, if they are self-employed

Work covered by a valid trade agreement

The applicant’s work in the UK must be covered by a valid trade agreement. For example, GTS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) or CHL (UK-Chile Association Agreement. 

The applicant should check with their UK sponsor what trade agreement their work is covered by and if it is valid.

If the applicant’s job is not eligible for this route

Where the applicant does not have an eligible occupation code, they may still be able to make an application for a Service Supplier visa if they have relevant qualifications and experience.

They will normally need a bachelor’s degree or higher in any subject or a technical qualification that’s equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.

They will also need professional experience of 3 years relevant to the service they provide if they are an overseas employee, and professional experience of 6 years if they are self-employed.

Some services have different experience and qualification requirements as follows:

Those not providing services in one of these areas might still be eligible if they have at least a bachelor’s degree (in any subject) or equivalent technical qualifications.

If the applicant is unsure whether their qualification is eligible for this route, they can ask their UK sponsor.

Documents Required

The applicant will be required to provide: 

• Their CoS reference number – this will be given by their sponsor 

• Their occupation's code and job title

• Their employer’s name and sponsor licence number, which will be mentioned on their CoS

• Their valid passport or other travel document showing their identity and nationality 

• evidence such as bank statements that show the applicant has sufficient savings to support themselves in the UK

• Proof of their TB (Tuberculosis) test results if they are from a country where they have to take this test

Other documents the applicant might need 

The applicant may be asked for proof of their degree or qualifications.

The applicant may be required to submit a valid ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) certificate if their employer tells them that they need one because their job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher.

After applying, the applicant might be asked to give evidence showing that they have worked for their overseas employer outside the UK for 12 months or been doing relevant work for the 12 months immediately prior to the day they apply if they are self-employed.

If the applicant is asked to show that their employer has paid them over this time period, they can give documents, such as printed or online payslips, a building society passbook, or bank or building society statements.

Self-employed applicants will need to show evidence of the work they have done over this time period. For example, invoices for work they have done, copies of their business accounts, a letter from an accountant confirming the business activities and its profits, leases on business premises, the business's adverts or marketing material, and business or personal bank statements to prove the business's income.

The UKVI may ask the applicant to provide additional documents. 

Any documents not in English or Welsh must be submitted with a certified translation. 

Applying for an entry clearance on the Service Supplier route

The applicant must apply online, and no more than 3 months before the day they are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on their CoS (Certificate of Sponsorship).

Those who have a Service Supplier visa and whose job changes to a different occupation code will need to apply to update their Service Supplier visa. Their sponsor, who issued their current CoS, must still be the same. 

They will have to prove their identity as part of their Service Supplier visa application. Depending on where they are from and what type of passport they hold they will have their biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph) taken at a VAC (Visa Application Centre) or they can use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document – they will also create their UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account or sign into their existing UKVI account.

On the appointment date, the applicant will need to carry their passport to the VAC. They will be able to collect it the same day.

Pay the visa fee and the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge)

The applicant will need to pay the visa application fee of £319 plus an immigration health charge, which is usually £1,035 per year.

Provide the documents

The applicant can upload their documents along with their online application or have them scanned at the VAC (if attending an appointment to enrol their biometrics). 

After applying

The applicant can ask to cancel their Service Supplier visa application. They will only get their fee refunded if their application has not been processed yet.

Applying to switch to (permission to stay) the Service Supplier route

The applicant must apply online from within the UK before their current UK visa expires.  

They will have to prove their identity as part of their visa application. Depending on where they are from and what type of passport they hold they will have their biometric information (fingerprints and facial photograph) taken at a UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service) service point or they can use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document – they will also create their UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account or sign into their existing UKVI account.

Pay the visa fee and the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge)

The applicant applying inside the UK to switch or extend their Service Supplier visa will need to pay the application fee of £319 plus the Immigration Health Charge, which is usually £1,035 per year.

Provide the documents

The applicant can upload their documents along with their online application or have them scanned at the UKVCAS (if attending an appointment to enrol their biometrics).

After applying

The applicant can ask to cancel their Service Supplier visa application. They will only get their fee refunded if their application has not been processed yet.

Getting a decision on an application for a Service Supplier visa

After having applied online, proving identity, and providing the documents, the applicant will, if they use the standard service, normally get a decision on their application for entry clearance within 3 weeks, and those who have applied to switch to a Service Supplier visa will normally get a decision within 8 weeks.

If the application is complex and will take longer, UKVI will contact the applicant, for example, because:

• UKVI needs to verify the documents of the applicant

• The applicant is required to attend an interview

• of the applicant’s personal circumstances (for example, if they have a criminal conviction)

If the decision maker is completely satisfied that the applicant has fulfilled all the suitability and eligibility criteria for the Service Supplier route, the application will be approved; otherwise, the application will be refused. 

Successful applicants will get an eVisas (a digital record of their identity and immigration status).

Validity of the visa if the application for an entry clearance or switch to the Service Supplier route is approved

The period a successful Service Supplier visa applicant can stay for depends on the type of international trade agreement under which they are providing services.

The applicant can come to or stay in the UK as a Service Supplier for 6 months or 12 months (depending on the international trade agreement under which they are providing services) or the time stated on their CoS, plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter.

The maximum time period allowed to a Service Supplier is 6 or 12 months, depending on the type of trade agreement under which they are providing services.

Applying for the family member (partner and children)

The lead applicant’s (a person who holds a Service Supplier visa or is applying for one) partner (husband/wife or civil partner) and children, if eligible, can also apply to join them or stay in the UK as their ‘dependants’.

A dependent child is a child aged under 18, including if they were born in the UK during the lead applicant’s stay, or a child aged over 18 if they currently have permission (leave to 'enter’ or ‘remain’) to be in the UK as the lead applicant’s dependant.

If the dependent partner or dependent child’s application is successful, their visa will usually expire on the same date as that of the lead applicant. A child’s visa will end on the earlier date if their parents' visa expiry dates are different.

The partner and children applying as dependents must also have sufficient money to support themselves in the UK.

The applicant - or their partner or child - will need:

• £285 for their partner

• £315 for one child

• £200 for each additional child

How can Visa and Migration help?

Our business immigration specialists provide guidance to the employers/sponsors and the applicants on the Home Office requirements for the Service Supplier visa route.

We advise the employers on their sponsorship obligations while we assist in the visa application process for their employees. 

If you are a Service Supplier, whether working for an employer overseas or self-employed, you can be eligible for the UK Service Supplier visa to provide your services to a UK organisation (your sponsor) as part of an International Trade Agreement. 

We help in assessing your eligibility, collecting the necessary documents, making a valid application, choosing the right application, and applying for 6 months or 12 months, depending on what suits your requirements and your sponsor’s requirements the most.

If you are the employer/sponsor who is sponsoring or looking to apply for a sponsor licence for this route, we can help you navigate the process and help you plan to hire the right candidate where they meet the requirements as a Service Supplier, and you fulfil the requirements as a sponsoring organisation.

For expert advice and queries, you can call us at +44 (0)20 3411 1261 or write to info@visaandmigration.com