Service Supplier

This is for contractual service suppliers employed by an overseas business or self-employed independent professional based overseas who are being assigned to the UK to provide services covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements.

You can apply for a Service Supplier Worker Visa if you have a contract to provide services for a UK company, either as:

an employee for an overseas company
a self-employed professional based overseas

Eligibility

You must:

Be an employee of an overseas business, or a self-employed service provider based overseas
Be providing a service to a UK business under a contract that is covered by a valid international trade agreement
Be doing an eligible job – if you job is not eligible you may still qualify if you have relevant qualifications and experience
Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your UK sponsor with information about the work you will be doing in the UK
Have worked for your employer for at least 12 months outside the UK, or have at least 12 months’ professional experience if you are a self-employed service provider

How long you can stay

How long you can stay in the UK depends on the type of trade agreement you’re providing services under.

You can stay for whichever is the shorter of:

6 months or 12 months - this depends on the trade agreement you’re providing services under
the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days

You can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if you’ve 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)

What you can and cannot do

You can:

work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
study
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
do voluntary work
travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
change jobs unless you update your visa
apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’)
do a second job

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Service Supplier visa.

How to Apply

If you wish to apply, talk with our team who will advise you on your position and complete the form and collect any necessary documentation from you that will help make the application successful.

Why choose Hallmark Solicitors

Our team will collaborate with you to make sure that your application is filled in correctly and that all the correct supporting documents to evidence your eligibility. We typically also provide a supporting letter setting out your circumstances in detail to Home Office which puts the Application in the best position on submission.

Our assistance is based on a considered and knowledgeable understanding of UK Business Immigration. We can save you time and to reduce your stress. Please contact our solicitors on 01482 616 616 or via our online contact form and we will get back to you.