Eligibility Requirements

To qualify under this route, applicants must satisfy a number of specific criteria that reflect both the commercial nature of the arrangement and the individual’s employment status.

Applicants must:

• Be employed by an overseas business that has entered into a Home Office-approved high-value contract with a UK sponsor
• Have been employed by that overseas business for a minimum period of 12 months outside the UK
• Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the UK sponsor, detailing the role to be undertaken
• Be assigned to a role that falls within the list of eligible occupations recognised under the route

These requirements ensure that only genuine secondments linked to substantive commercial activity are permitted.

Permitted Activities

The Secondment Worker Visa offers flexibility for individuals during their time in the UK. Visa holders are permitted to:

• Work exclusively for their UK sponsor in the role outlined in their Certificate of Sponsorship
• Undertake study alongside their employment
• Be accompanied by eligible dependants, including a partner and children
• Participate in voluntary work
• Travel freely in and out of the UK during the validity of their visa

However, certain restrictions apply. Visa holders are not permitted to:

• Access most public funds or claim the State Pension
• Take on additional employment or secondary roles
• Change employers or job roles without submitting a new application
• Apply for indefinite leave to remain under this visa category

Supporting Documentation

A carefully prepared application, supported by appropriate documentation, is essential to a successful outcome.

Core Documents

Applicants will typically need to provide:

• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship reference number issued by their UK sponsor
• A current passport or other official documentation confirming identity and nationality
• Details of their job title and occupation code
• Information relating to their sponsor, including sponsor licence number
• Evidence of sufficient personal savings to support themselves in the UK, unless this is certified by the sponsor
• Proof of relationship for any dependants applying alongside them
• Tuberculosis test results, where required by nationality

Additional Documentation

Depending on the circumstances, further evidence may be required, including:

• Proof of employment with the overseas employer for at least 12 months (such as payslips, bank statements, or employer letters)
• Supporting documentation validating online payslips
• An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate, where the role involves sensitive research at an advanced level

All documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by certified translations in accordance with Home Office requirements.

Duration of Stay

The visa is granted for a defined and limited period, reflecting the temporary nature of the secondment. Applicants may remain in the UK for:

• Up to 12 months from the start date specified in their Certificate of Sponsorship, or
• The duration stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus a short additional period, whichever is shorter

An extension of up to 12 months may be available, subject to a maximum stay of 2 years under this route. It is important to note that time spent in the UK under certain other work visa categories may contribute towards an overall limit of 5 years within any 6-year period.

Application Process

Applications for the Secondment Worker Visa must be submitted online via the official UK Government platform.

As part of the process, applicants will be required to:

• Complete the relevant application form
• Upload all supporting documentation
• Verify their identity, either by attending a visa application centre or by using the UK Immigration: ID Check app

Where attendance at a visa application centre is required, applicants will need to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a photograph.

Processing Times

Processing times will depend on where the application is submitted:

• Applications made from outside the UK are typically decided within approximately 3 weeks
• Applications submitted from within the UK are generally processed within up to 8 weeks

Priority and super priority services may be available in certain locations, offering significantly faster decision times. Applicants should also ensure that they apply no earlier than 3 months before the intended start date of their role in the UK.

Extensions

An extension may be sought where the secondment continues, provided that:

• The applicant remains employed by the same UK sponsor
• The assignment continues under the same qualifying contract
• The maximum permitted stay has not been reached

Extension applications must be submitted from within the UK and are usually processed within 8 weeks.

Switching into This Route

In some circumstances, individuals already present in the UK may be eligible to switch into the Secondment Worker Visa category.  However, switching is not permitted from certain immigration routes, including visitor visas, short-term student visas, and seasonal worker visas. Individuals in these categories must leave the UK and apply from overseas. Additional considerations apply to those switching from a Student visa, including course completion requirements.

Changes to Employment

If there is a change to the applicant’s role, particularly where it involves a different occupation code, a new visa application will be required. This will involve obtaining a new Certificate of Sponsorship and demonstrating that the new role continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the route. Applicants must not commence the new role until permission has been granted.

Dependants

Eligible Family Members

The route allows applicants to be accompanied by close family members, including:

• A spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner in a durable relationship
• Children under the age of 18
• Children over 18 who are already in the UK as dependants

Requirements

Applicants must provide evidence of genuine and subsisting relationships. For partners, this may include proof of marriage, civil partnership, or at least two years of cohabitation. Children aged 16 or over must meet additional requirements, including living with the applicant (unless in full-time education), remaining financially dependent, and not being married or forming independent family units.

Financial Requirements

Dependants must demonstrate that they can be adequately maintained while in the UK. The minimum financial thresholds are:

• £285 for a partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Funds must generally be held for a continuous 28-day period prior to the date of application, unless an exemption applies.

Specialist Legal Advice and Representation

The requirements for a Secondment Worker Visa can vary significantly depending on your individual circumstances. Careful preparation and a clear legal strategy are essential to ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules and is supported by the appropriate evidence. Our specialist immigration lawyers provide comprehensive legal advice and representation, guiding you through each stage of the application process with precision, clarity, and a focus on achieving a successful outcome.

Our Service

We offer a fully managed service on a fixed-fee basis, covering all aspects of your application from initial instruction through to a decision by the Home Office.

If instructed, your matter will be handled by a specialist immigration lawyer who will:

• Take detailed instructions to establish all relevant facts
• Advise you on the eligibility and suitability requirements of your application
• Assess the strengths and potential risks in your case, and advise on how these may be addressed
• Provide a tailored schedule of supporting documents
• Review all documentation to ensure compliance with the Immigration Rules and required format
• Advise on any additional evidence required following review
• Prepare and complete your application form for your approval
• Draft detailed legal representations demonstrating how the requirements are met
• Prepare witness statements where necessary
• Submit your application and supporting documents via the Home Office portal
• Arrange your biometric enrolment appointment
• Liaise with the Home Office on your behalf, including responding to any further enquiries

Where appropriate, we will also take steps to secure priority processing in order to minimise decision times.

Our Approach

Our approach is defined by careful preparation, technical expertise, and a clear focus on results. Each application is handled with close attention to detail to ensure that it is properly evidenced, accurately presented, and aligned with Home Office requirements. Your matter will be assigned to a lawyer with specialist expertise in immigration law, who will manage your case throughout. In more complex matters, additional specialist input will be provided to ensure a thorough and considered approach. We provide a flexible service to clients based in the UK and internationally. Consultations and case handling can be conducted remotely without compromising on quality, alongside in-person meetings where preferred.

Fees and Accessibility

We offer our services on a transparent fixed-fee basis, providing certainty as to legal costs from the outset. Payment plans may be available to assist with managing fees.

You may also submit an initial enquiry online to receive preliminary guidance on your circumstances before deciding how you wish to proceed