The Service Supplier Visa is a subcategory of the UK’s Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa, designed for foreign workers who are contracted to provide services in the UK under an international trade agreement. This visa route is intended for businesses needing to transfer overseas staff temporarily to fulfill service contracts with UK clients. Here’s an outline of the key requirements, eligibility, and application process for the Service Supplier Visa.

Purpose of the Service Supplier Visa
The Service Supplier Visa is specifically for individuals providing services to UK businesses under international trade agreements, such as:

• The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
• The UK’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with countries like Canada, Japan, and the EU.
• Other contractual service supply agreements involving international trade commitments.

Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
To qualify for a Service Supplier Visa, applicants must:

• Be Employed by an Overseas Company: They should be employed by a company that has a contract to supply services to a UK business.
• Provide Services under a Relevant Trade Agreement: The services provided must fall under a trade agreement the UK has with the applicant’s home country.
• Experience Requirements:
  
  1. If the applicant is a self-employed contractor, they must have a minimum of 6 months of relevant experience in the services they provide.
  2. If the applicant is employed by a company, they must have 12 months of experience with the company and be providing services relevant to the contract.
• Skill Level: The job must be at least at RQF Level 6 (graduate level), equivalent to jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Salary Requirement: The applicant must earn the equivalent of at least £24,220 annually or the “going rate” for the role, whichever is higher.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Applicants must have a valid CoS issued by the UK company sponsoring them under the Service Supplier Visa route.

Sponsor Requirements
The UK business receiving the service must:

• Be registered as a licensed sponsor with the Home Office.
• Issue a Certificate of Sponsorship that provides details of the service contract, role, salary, and duration of the service agreement.

Visa Duration and Extensions

• Initial Duration: The Service Supplier Visa is typically granted for up to 12 months or the length of the service contract, whichever is shorter.
• Extensions: The visa can generally be extended if the service contract is ongoing, up to a maximum of 5 years within a 6-year period.

Permitted Activities and Limitations

• Activities Allowed: Service Supplier Visa holders may only work in the UK on the specific contract covered by the Certificate of Sponsorship. This means they cannot take up additional employment outside of the scope of the service contract.
• No Path to Settlement: The Service Supplier Visa is a temporary visa and does not directly lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, holders may switch to other visa routes within the UK that do provide a pathway to settlement if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Application Process

• Step 1: Secure a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the sponsoring UK company.
• Step 2: Complete the online application, submit required documents, and pay the relevant visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
• Step 3: Attend a biometric appointment (if required) and submit supporting documents, such as proof of employment and relevant experience.

Benefits of the Service Supplier Visa

• Facilitates International Trade: The visa enables businesses to fulfill UK service contracts without needing a long-term visa.
• Multiple Entrants: Companies can apply for multiple Service Supplier Visas if they have ongoing contracts requiring various overseas employees to perform the work.
• Specialised Expertise: The visa allows the UK to benefit from specialised expertise or unique services that may not be available locally.

Limitations

• Limited Scope: The visa only covers services provided under specific international agreements and does not allow the holder to engage in other work or change roles.
• Non-Settlement Visa: This visa does not directly lead to UK permanent residency or settlement options.

Please contact us at contact@aaraflawy.co.uk and one of our UK immigration lawyer shall call you back. Alternatively you can call us on 0203 442 0292 .