Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Service Supplier visa, you must:
- be an employee of an overseas business, or a self-employed service provider based overseas
- be providing a service under a contract that is covered by a valid international trade agreement
- be providing a service to a UK business that has been approved as a sponsor by the Home Office
- do an eligible job - or prove you have relevant qualifications and professional experience
- have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your UK sponsor with information about the work you’ll 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’re a self-employed service provider
You must also have worked for at least 12 months either:
- for your current employer outside the UK
- immediately before you apply and in the same sector as the service you will provide, if you’re self-employed
Check if your job is eligible
Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. You can get this from your employer or your certificate of sponsorship.
When you know your occupation code, check the table of eligible jobs to see if it’s eligible for your visa type.
If your job is not eligible
If you do not have an eligible occupation code, you may still be able to apply for a Service Supplier visa if you have relevant qualifications and experience.
You will normally need one of the following qualifications:
- a bachelor’s degree or higher in any subject
- a technical qualification that’s equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
You’ll also need:
- 3 years’ professional experience relevant to the service you provide if you’re an overseas employee
- 6 years’ professional experience if you’re self-employed
Some services have different experience and qualifications requirements:
| Services | Qualifications and experience |
|---|---|
| Advertising or translation | Relevant qualifications |
| Chef de cuisine | Advanced technical qualification and 6 years experience |
| Entertainment services (excluding audio-visual services under the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement) | No qualifications required |
| Fashion and modelling | No qualifications required |
| Management consulting services | Bachelor’s degree |
| Technical testing and analysis | Bachelor’s degree or relevant technical qualification |
If you’re not providing services in one of these areas, you might still be eligible if you have at least a bachelor’s degree (in any subject) or equivalent technical qualifications.
Ask your UK sponsor if you’re not sure if your qualifications are eligible.
Work covered by a valid trade agreement
Your work in the UK must be covered by a valid trade agreement. Check with your UK sponsor what trade agreement your work is covered by and if it’s valid.
Approved UK sponsors
You must have an approved UK sponsor before you apply for a Service Supplier visa.
View the list of approved UK sponsors.
Getting a certificate of sponsorship
Your UK sponsor will give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ with information about the work you’ll be doing in the UK. It’s an electronic record, not a paper document.
You’ll need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.