The UK Secondment Worker visa is for overseas nationals being seconded to the UK as part of either a high value contract or investment by their employer overseas. This is a specialist work visa designed to support the transfer of skills and knowledge between international offices and facilitate UK-based operations, as well as development and expansion opportunities.
Given the highly specialist nature of this visa, the eligibility and procedural requirements are complex.
In this guide, we explain what the Secondment Worker visa is and the rules and criteria that will need to be met to make a application, with practical guidance on how to apply, including supporting documents and the fees involved.
Section A: What is the UK Secondment Worker visa?
The UK Secondment Worker visa is one of five sponsored business immigration routes under the Global Business Mobility visa (GBM) umbrella. This is a collection of various different routes aimed at overseas businesses looking to either establish a presence or expand their business in the UK, or to transfer staff. Unlike some of the other routes under the GMB umbrella, which replace and reform previous routes, this was brought in as a new route, designed to facilitate trade and boost the UK economy.
Under the Secondment Worker route, an applicant can apply for entry clearance from outside the UK. They can also apply for leave to remain if already in the UK, provided they do not have or have last been granted leave as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, a Domestic Worker in a Private Household or outside the UK’s Immigration Rules.
1. How Long does a UK Secondment Worker Visa Last?
Secondment Workers can stay in the UK for up to one year initially, with the option to extend this stay by up to a further year. However, two years is the maximum continuous period a visa-holder can stay in the UK on this route.
Secondment Workers are also subject to the maximum cumulative period for the GBM routes, where a person can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period if they’ve spent time on any of the other GBM or Intra-Company routes.
The UK Secondment Worker visa will not provide the visa-holder with a path to settlement in the UK, although they may be able to apply to switch to a different category, provided they meet the eligibility requirements under that route.
2. Permissible Activities
With a Secondment Worker Visa, you are permitted to work for your sponsor in the job specified in your certificate of sponsorship. You are also allowed to study and can bring your partner and children with you as your dependants, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. You may also engage in voluntary work and travel abroad, returning to the UK as needed.
However, there are certain restrictions. You cannot apply for most benefits, including public funds and the State Pension. Changing jobs is not permitted unless you inform the Home Office and update your visa. You also cannot apply to settle permanently in the UK, and you are not allowed to take on a second job.
3. Benefits for Workers & Employers
The Secondment Worker Visa offers numerous advantages for employees and employers alike. For employees, it provides the opportunity to gain valuable international work experience in the UK, while maintaining their employment with their overseas employer. This exposure can significantly boost their career prospects and professional development. The visa also facilitates the building of a global professional network by allowing employees to work closely with colleagues in the UK.
Employees also benefit from cultural exposure, experiencing a different working style and way of life, enriching both their personal and professional lives.
For employers , the Secondment Worker visa facilitates the transfer of skills and knowledge between international offices, promoting a more integrated and efficient workforce. The visa also supports the expansion of business operations into the UK, aiding companies in establishing a stronger global presence. By contributing to the professional growth of employees, the visa increases their value to the company. UK-based secondments can also enhance workforce diversity by bringing in new perspectives and ideas, which can drive innovation and growth, and strengthen business relationships between UK and overseas offices.
Section B: UK Secondment Worker Visa Requirements
Applications for the Secondment Worker require the following criteria to be met:
1. Applicant Requirements
As a points-based system visa, and in addition to the age and overseas work requirement, the UK Secondment Worker visa requires applicants to be awarded a total of 40 points against the following two criteria: sponsorship and having a job offer at an appropriate skill level.
To score 20 points for sponsorship as a UK Secondment Worker, the applicant must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) assigned by a UK licensed sponsor for the job which they are planning to do in the UK. They must also be being sponsored for employment which is genuine. This means that the Home Office must not have reasonable grounds to believe that the job the applicant is being sponsored to do is either a sham or has been created mainly so that the applicant can apply for entry clearance or leave to remain.
To score 20 points for skill as a UK Secondment Worker, the applicant must be sponsored for a job listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations under the Immigration Rules that is identified as eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes. The sponsor must choose an appropriate occupation code, and the Home Office must not have reasonable grounds to believe that the sponsor has chosen a less appropriate occupation code due to the most appropriate occupation code not being eligible under the GBM routes.
To support the assessment, the Home Office may consider whether or not the sponsor can show a genuine need for the job described, and whether or not the applicant is suitably qualified to do that job. It may also consider the sponsor’s history of compliance with the immigration system including, but not limited to, paying its sponsored workers appropriately.
In addition to the points-based requirements, a UK Secondment Worker from a listed country must provide a valid tuberculosis test certificate. Those applying for either entry clearance or leave to remain, where they have been in the UK for less than 12 months, must also satisfy a financial requirement. The financial requirement must be met by showing proof of funds of at least £1,270. The applicant will need to have had the money available for at least 28 consecutive days, where the end date of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date that they apply. Alternatively, the sponsor must certify maintenance on the CoS for one month.
Read our guide to Certificates of Sponsorship here >>
2. Sponsorship Requirements
To obtain a UK Secondment Worker visa, the applicant will need to be sponsored by a Home Office approved employer authorised to sponsor this category of worker.
To sponsor a worker under the UK Secondment Worker route, the employer must first hold an A-rated sponsor licence. Businesses should therefore be taking steps to apply for a sponsor licence, if not already on the register of licensed sponsors, or to add Secondment Workers to their existing licence. Only once permission has been granted by the Home Office can the UK employer assign a valid CoS to a prospective overseas worker.
You can read our comprehensive guide to Sponsor Licence Applicantions here >>
When applying for a licence to sponsor workers under any of the GBM routes, the sponsor must show that there is a qualifying link with an overseas business that will send the workers to the UK, although the nature of that link will depend on the route. In the context of the UK Secondment Worker route, the sponsor must have an investment or contract for goods or services with an overseas business worth at least £10 million per year, and no less than £50 million in total. This therefore means that if the duration of the contract is less than a period of 5 years, it must be at least £50 million in value. If the contract is 5 years plus, it must be at least £10 million per year in value. If the contract has no express end date, it must be worth at least £50 million over the first 5 years. This is known as the ‘eligible contract requirement’.
Under the eligible contract requirement, the UK sponsor must have at least one eligible contract with an overseas service provider. This must be the contract the applicant will be working on whilst in the UK. The sponsor will need to register the contract with the Home Office via the Sponsorship Management System (SMS), either when they apply for their sponsor licence or prior to assigning a CoS to the Secondment Worker. The sponsor must also confirm which contract the applicant will be working on when they assign the CoS. If an application for a sponsor licence on the Secondment Worker route is approved, the sponsor can only assign an CoS to a worker who is coming to the UK to fulfil that specific contract.
If the sponsor wants to bring workers to the UK under a new contract, they must tell the Home Office about this and not assign any CoS in connection with the new contract until they have agreed that it meets the relevant requirements. The sponsor can use the ‘Request change of circumstances function’ in their SMS account to tell the Home Office about any new contract and request an increase in their CoS allocation. Once reported, the sponsor will be asked for supporting evidence, together with a timeframe to provide this documentation.
Section C: Apply for a UK Secondment Worker Visa
The application for a Secondment Worker Visa involves the following steps:
Step 1: Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK sponsor.
Step 2: Complete the visa application form online with 3 months of the CoS being issued. Include the CoS reference number in the application. Ensure all details are accurate and consistent with your supporting documents to avoid delays or rejections.
Step 3: Pay the visa application fee and the healthcare surcharge.
Step 4: Submit the required documents. These typically include valid passport, proof of employment with the overseas employer, CoS, and evidence of financial support. Ensure all documents are up-to-date and meet the specified requirements.
Step 5: Attend a biometric appointment, to provide fingerprints and photograph, at a visa application centre.
Step 6: Wait for a decision from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Processing times can vary, but you will typically receive a decision within a few weeks. Be sure to monitor any communications from UKVI and respond promptly if additional information is requested.
| Secondment Worker Visa Application Process | |
|---|---|
| Step | Description |
| Step 1 | Obtain a certificate of sponsorship from your UK sponsor. |
| Step 2 | Complete the visa application form online. |
| Step 3 | Pay the visa application fee and the healthcare surcharge. |
| Step 4 | Submit required documents (passport, proof of employment, financial support, etc.). |
| Step 5 | Attend a biometric appointment (fingerprints and photograph). |
| Step 6 | Wait for a decision from UKVI. |
1. Supporting Documents
As part of their application for a UK Secondment Worker visa, they will need to prove their identity and provide any supporting documents. They may need to attend an appointment to do this and to provide their biometric information. When applying, the applicant must have:
a. a valid sponsorship certificate from a UK licensed sponsor
b. a passport or other travel document showing their identity and nationality
c. evidence that they have worked for their employer outside the UK for at least 12 months, where applicable
d. proof of funds, where applicable
e. a valid tuberculosis test certificate, where applicable.
| Secondment Worker Visa Supporting Documents | |
|---|---|
| Document | Description |
| Passport | Valid passport or travel document. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | Electronic document issued by your UK sponsor. |
| Proof of Employment | Letter from your overseas employer confirming your employment status and duration. |
| Financial Documents | Bank statements or other proof showing you can support yourself financially. |
| English Language Certificate | Evidence of English language proficiency (if required). |
| Biometric Information | Fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre. |
Once the applicant has submitted their application, proved their identity, provided their documents and paid the application fee, a decision will usually be made within around 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK and around 8 weeks for in-country applications.
2. Secondment Worker Visa Application Costs
The Secondment Worker visa application fee is £298. In addition, the applicant will have to pay annual immigration health surcharge, which is payable at £1035 per year of leave.
You can read more about the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge here >>
As well as the application fees, the applicant will also have to show maintenance funds of at least £1,270, unless their sponsor will be certifying for this on the CoS.
The sponsor will also incur costs, such as the fee to apply for a Temporary Worker sponsor licence, and a fee of £21 for issuing each CoS.
3. Secondment Worker Visa Processing Times
Secondment Worker visas are typically processed within 3 weeks if applying from overseas, or 8 weeks if applying from within the UK.
Fast-tracked processing may be available for an additional fee; for £500, the priority service provides a decision in 5 working days, while the super priority service, at £1000, gives a decision by the end of the next working day.
Read more about UK visa processing times here >>
Section D: Can Dependants Join Secondment Workers?
A UK Secondment Worker can be accompanied or joined by their partner and dependent children if they meet the relevant requirements for dependants. This includes unmarried partners, provided they are aged 18 or over and have lived with the applicant in a relationship that is akin to a marriage or civil partnership for a period of at least 2 years. The relationship must also be genuine and subsisting, where the applicant and their Secondment Worker partner must intend to reside together throughout the applicant’s stay in the UK.
Anyone applying for permission to stay as a partner or child of a Secondment Worker must be in the UK on the date of application and must not have or have last been granted leave as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, a Domestic Worker in a Private Household or outside the UK’s Immigration Rules.
Where eligible, dependants will be required to apply online, prove their identity, provide their biometric information and any supporting documents. They will also be required to pay an application fee and healthcare surcharge, and may need to meet a financial requirement.
Section E: Managing Your Secondment Worker Visa
You can extend a Secondment Worker visa by up to 12 months. However, the maximum total time you can spend in the UK on a Secondment Worker visa is 2 years.
You can apply to extend your Secondment Worker visa from within the UK if certain conditions are met. This means you must still be employed by the UK sponsor who provided your current CoS. You also have to continue working on the same contract that your employer has with your sponsor. It is also essential that you have not yet reached the maximum total stay permitted under this visa.
It is important to note that extending your visa does not automatically extend the visas of your partner or children. Their visas will remain valid only until their original end date unless they also apply for an extension. They can choose to apply for their extension either simultaneously with yours or at any time before their current visa expires.
During the application process, you must remain within the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. Traveling outside these areas before receiving a decision will result in your application being withdrawn. It is mandatory to be physically present in the UK to apply for an extension of your visa.
If there are changes to your job, you will need to apply to update your visa instead of extending it.
Section F: Summary
The Secondment Worker Visa is a specialist route designed for specific types of assignments. While the route eligibility provides valuable opportunities for employees to gain international experience and for employers to enhance their global operations, the eligibility and procedural requirements are complex. Supporting documents in particular play a key role in the application, ensuring the applicant proves that they meet the visa criteria. This requires the employer and employee to work closely to provide a comprehensive submission.
Section G: Need Assistance?
DavidsonMorris’ business immigration specialists provide guidance on the Home Office requirements to deploy personnel under the Secondment Worker visa including advice on the sponsorship obligations for employers and the visa application process for your employees.
As a team of immigration lawyers and former Home Office personnel, we can work in support of your employers and their personnel, taking care of all aspects of sponsor licence management and sponsored visa applications. Contact us for specialist advice.
Section H: UK Secondment Visa FAQs
What is a Secondment Worker Visa?
A Secondment Worker Visa allows employees to work in the UK temporarily while remaining employed by an overseas company. It facilitates the transfer of skills and knowledge between international offices.
Who is eligible for a Secondment Worker Visa?
To be eligible, you must be employed by an overseas company for at least 12 months and have a UK sponsor that is approved for this visa category.
How long does the application process take?
The application process typically takes about three weeks if you are applying from outside the UK and eight weeks if you are applying from within the UK.
What documents are needed for the application?
You will need a valid passport, proof of employment with your overseas company, a CoS from your UK sponsor, and evidence of financial support.
Can my family members join me in the UK?
Your spouse or partner and children under 18 can apply to join you as dependants on your Secondment Worker Visa.
Can I switch to a different visa category while in the UK?
Switching to another visa category may be possible, depending on the specific rules and eligibility criteria of the desired visa.
How long can I stay in the UK on a Secondment Worker Visa?
The length of stay depends on the terms specified on the CoS, typically ranging from six months to two years, with possible extensions.
Can I apply for a Secondment Worker Visa if I am self-employed?
No, the visa is specifically for employees of overseas companies being seconded to a UK branch or affiliate.
How much does it cost to sponsor an overseas worker?
The cost of sponsoring an overseas worker can include a sponsor licence fee, a fee for issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship and even an Immigration Skills Charge, although these costs will depend on the sponsored immigration route in question.
Do businesses who want to sponsor workers from outside the UK have to have a sponsor licence?
If a business is looking to sponsor an overseas worker, they will need a licence to sponsor that category of worker, for example, as a Skilled Worker or as a worker under one of the Global Business Mobility routes.
Section I: Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Secondment Worker Visa | A visa that allows an employee to work temporarily in the UK while employed by an overseas company. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship | An electronic document issued by a licensed UK sponsor required for the visa application. |
| UKVI | UK Visas and Immigration, the branch of the Home Office responsible for the UK’s visa system. |
| Sponsor | A UK-based organisation that supports and endorses an applicant’s visa application. |
| Dependants | Family members (spouse/partner and children under 18) who can join the visa holder in the UK. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Specific conditions and requirements that must be met to qualify for the visa. |
| Public Funds | Government benefits and support that visa holders are generally not entitled to claim. |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain | The status allowing a person to live in the UK indefinitely, also known as settlement. |
| Biometric Appointment | A required appointment where applicants provide fingerprints and a photograph for their visa. |
| Financial Support | Evidence that the applicant has sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependants in the UK. |
| Employment Duration | The length of time an applicant must have been employed by the overseas company before applying. |
| Processing Time | The period it takes for the visa application to be reviewed and a decision made. |
| Immigration Advisor | A professional who provides guidance and assistance with visa applications and immigration issues. |
| Healthcare Surcharge | A fee paid by visa applicants to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during their stay. |
| Visa Application Fee | The cost required to submit a visa application. |
Section J: Additional Resources
UK Government – Secondment Worker Visa
https://www.gov.uk/secondment-worker-visa
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) – Guidance
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
Visa Application Form and Instructions
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-uk-visa-to-work-study-and-for-dependants-and-right-of-abode-form-vaf2
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is a recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals
