The Service Supplier visa is a Global Business Mobility route for overseas employees and overseas self-employed professionals delivering services to a UK business under a qualifying international trade agreement.

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At a glance

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Sponsorship: Required from a licensed UK organisation.

Contract: Must fall within a qualifying trade agreement and be registered with the Home Office.

Length of stay: Normally up to six or 12 months per assignment, depending on the agreement.

English: No route-specific English language requirement.

Settlement: No direct route.

Dependants: Eligible partners and children may apply.

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Main eligibility requirements

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You must be at least 18 and be an employee of an overseas service provider or an eligible self-employed professional based overseas.

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The UK sponsor must hold a qualifying service contract covered by an applicable international trade agreement. The service, nationality or residence conditions, and any agreement-specific limitations must all be checked.

You normally need at least 12 months' work for the overseas employer. Self-employed applicants normally need at least 12 months' relevant professional work immediately before application.

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You must either have an eligible occupation code or meet the alternative qualifications and professional-experience criteria. Under that alternative, the usual requirement is a degree or equivalent technical qualification, with three years' relevant experience for employees or six years for independent professionals. Some services have different requirements.

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You must also meet suitability and any applicable TB or ATAS requirements.

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Financial requirements and conditions

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There is no route-specific general salary threshold, but the assignment must comply with applicable UK employment requirements.

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You normally need £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days before application, unless an eligible sponsor certifies maintenance or the qualifying 12-month UK residence exemption applies. Dependants may need additional funds. Visa fees and the healthcare surcharge normally apply.

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Your permission is restricted to the sponsored assignment. A second job is not permitted. Earlier GBM and relevant intra-company permission counts towards the overall five-years-in-six limit.

 

Evidence commonly required

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Passport and nationality evidence; CoS; service-contract details; overseas employment or self-employment records; qualifications and professional experience; and any required maintenance, TB, ATAS and family evidence.

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Application process

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Confirm trade-agreement coverage and contract registration, assess the skill and experience pathway, obtain the CoS, then submit the application and complete identity checks.

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Common issues

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A commercial contract alone does not establish eligibility. The type of service, applicant's nationality and experience, and sponsor's authorisation must match the relevant agreement.

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Frequently asked questions

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Can an overseas freelancer qualify?

Potentially, where the applicable agreement permits independent professionals and all relevant requirements are met.

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Can I use this visa for any UK consultancy project?

No. The project must fall within the permitted service and trade-agreement arrangements.

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