When an overseas business signs a major contract with a UK organisation, fulfilling the contractual obligations may require the placement of trusted employees on British soil via immigration pathways such as the Secondment Worker visa.
The UK Secondment Worker visa was introduced in April 2022 as one of five routes under the Global Business Mobility framework. It allows employees of an overseas company to be temporarily seconded to a British organisation as part of a high-value contract or investment.
It is a project-based immigration route rather than a general work permit, and it is essential to understand the visa’s purpose and requirements before migrating staff or committing resources to the application process.
What Makes a Contract Eligible for the Secondment Route?
According to UK government guidance, the overseas employer must hold a contract with the UK sponsor for goods or services worth at least £10 million per year or £50 million in total. The UK sponsor must register the contract in the Sponsorship Management System, and the Home Office must approve it before any worker can be seconded.
Each secondment must also relate to a single, registered, high-value contract. The route cannot be stretched to cover multiple agreements or open-ended roles, and businesses with contracts below the threshold should consider alternatives such as the Service Supplier or Senior or Specialist Worker routes instead.
Eligibility Requirements for Employees
An individual seeking to obtain the Secondment Worker visa must meet the following requirements:
- Be an existing employee of the overseas organisation that holds the approved high-value contract with the UK sponsor
- Have worked for that overseas employer for at least six months outside the UK
- Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, issued no more than three months before the application, describing the UK role
- Be taking up a job that is on the Home Office list of eligible occupations for the GBM routes, which sit at graduate level (RQF Level 6) or above.
- Be at least 18 years old on the date of application
Two features make this route stand out among other UK work visas. First, there is no minimum salary threshold, although the role must still be genuine and skilled. Second, there is no English language requirement, which is usually a challenge, particularly for non-English speaking applicants.
Applicants must also show they can support themselves by holding at least £1,270 in savings for 28 consecutive days before applying. This requirement is waived if the UK sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS or if the applicant has already been in the UK lawfully for 12 months or more.
Obligations for the UK Sponsor
The UK organisation sponsoring the worker must hold a valid sponsor licence covering the before a worker can be sponsored.
Beyond registering the qualifying contract, the sponsor must issue a CoS for each worker and ensure the role matches the registered contract and occupation code. The sponsor must also meet ongoing duties such as record-keeping and reporting changes in the worker’s employment.
What Will the Visa Cost?
The application fee, following the April 2026 fee changes, is £340 per person, payable by the main applicant and each dependant included in the application. Every applicant must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, currently £1,035 per year of the visa, which grants access to NHS care.
A partner and children under 18 can apply as dependants, provided they meet the relationship and financial requirements. Dependants must show additional funds of £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child, unless an exemption applies. Optional priority services are available in most countries for applicants who need a faster decision.
How the Application Process Works
Applications are made on the UK government website, no more than three months before the start date shown on the CoS. The applicant enters the CoS reference number, pays the fee and surcharge, and uploads supporting documents (with certified translations where needed).
They must also prove their identity, either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by providing biometrics at a Visa Application Centre.
Decisions usually arrive within three weeks for applications made outside the UK and around eight weeks for in-country applications. Successful applicants will receive an eVisa, a digital immigration status accessed through a UKVI account.
Documents Required for the Application Process
To apply for the Secondment Worker visa, employees must provide the following documents:
- A certificate of sponsorship reference number showing the sponsor’s name, licence number, the job title and occupation code
- A valid passport or other document that shows their identity and nationality
- Bank statement showing sufficient personal savings to support themselves in the UK (unless the CoS specifies that the sponsor will support the applicant)
- Proof of your relationship with their partner or children if they’re applying with them
- A tuberculosis test results depending on the applicant’s country of residence.
How Long Can a Secondment Worker Stay in the UK?
The Secondment Worker visa will usually be valid for 12 months after the job start date, or the period specified on the CoS plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. The visa can be extended once, by a further 12 months, giving a maximum of two years on this route.
The total time an individual can spend on the Secondment Worker visa and on other visas on the Global Business is capped at five years in any six-year period.
It is essential to note that a secondment worker can study, travel, and volunteer, but cannot take a second job, access public funds, or count the time spent on the visa towards indefinite leave to remain.
Conclusion
The requirements for the Secondment Worker visa are specific and all criteria mut be met to ensure a successful outcome.
Before proceeding with an application, the sponsoring company should register the qualifying contract with the Home Office and issue the correct Certificate of Sponsorship to the employee. Individuals applying for the visa should gather evidence of their overseas employment, finances, and eligibility for the visa.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: The UK Secondment Worker visa enables international companies to temporarily transfer overseas employees under qualifying high-value contracts, supporting cross-border business operations and workforce mobility.. Cover Photo Credit: freepik
