Service Supplier Visa UK

The UK Service Supplier visa is one of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes, created to allow overseas professionals to deliver services to UK companies under international trade agreements. It is a temporary, non-settlement visa route that plays an important role in supporting cross-border trade by giving UK businesses access to specialist overseas expertise.

What this article is about:
This article provides a detailed guide to the Service Supplier visa. It explains the purpose and scope of the route, who is eligible, the application process, costs involved, and the compliance duties placed on UK employers. HR directors and business owners will also gain practical insight into how this visa fits within workforce planning and immigration compliance strategies.

 

 

Section A: Understanding the Service Supplier Visa

 

The Service Supplier visa is a category within the UK’s Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes. It is designed specifically for overseas contractual service suppliers or self‑employed independent professionals to deliver services in the UK under the terms of a qualifying international trade agreement. This visa enables UK companies to access overseas expertise where those services are covered by a trade commitment, while ensuring compliance with the UK’s immigration framework.

 

1. What is the Service Supplier Visa?

 

The Service Supplier visa allows overseas workers to come to the UK temporarily to provide a service under a contract that has been agreed between a UK business and an overseas service provider. Unlike other GBM routes such as the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, the Service Supplier route is not a pathway for intra‑company transfer but instead focuses on fulfilling international trade obligations.

It applies where services are covered under the UK’s trade agreements, including the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and specific Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Applicants must either be employed by an overseas service provider or be a self‑employed professional established overseas.

 

2. Purpose of the Visa

 

The primary purpose of the Service Supplier visa is to enable UK companies to receive specialist services from overseas providers in line with the UK’s trade commitments. This supports business flexibility by allowing companies to contract short‑term expertise without making a permanent hire.

• A UK business requires niche or highly specialised expertise not readily available in the domestic market.
• A trade agreement specifically permits and regulates the cross‑border provision of that service.
• The need for the service is time‑limited, linked to a specific project or contract.

 

By enabling UK firms to access these services, the visa underpins trade liberalisation commitments while ensuring immigration compliance.

 

3. Key Features

 

• Length of stay: Time limited to a maximum of 12 months in any 24‑month period, as determined by the relevant trade agreement and the Certificate of Sponsorship. This is a hard cap across stays and extensions within that period.
• Type of work: Holders are restricted to the contract of service for which their Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned. Secondary employment is not permitted.
• No settlement: The route does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain. It is a temporary mobility scheme rather than a path to permanent residence.
• Dependants: Eligible family members (partner and children) may accompany the main applicant, subject to meeting financial requirements.
• Sponsorship requirement: A UK business must hold a sponsor licence under the Global Business Mobility routes to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to the applicant.

 

Section A Summary
The Service Supplier visa is a targeted immigration route that facilitates international trade by allowing overseas professionals to provide specialist services in the UK. It is temporary, contract‑based, and limited to activities permitted under trade agreements. For UK employers, it offers access to international expertise while ensuring strict compliance with sponsorship and immigration controls.

 

 

Section B: Eligibility & Requirements

 

To use the Service Supplier visa route, both the individual applicant and the sponsoring UK business must meet specific eligibility criteria. These requirements ensure that the route is only used in accordance with trade agreements and that services provided are genuinely specialist and necessary.

 

1. Individual Eligibility Criteria

 

Applicants for the Service Supplier visa must meet a number of personal and professional conditions. Key requirements include:

• Employment status: The applicant must either be employed by an overseas service provider or be a self-employed independent professional established outside the UK.
• Service contract: The applicant must be providing services under a contract covered by a UK trade agreement with the applicant’s home country.
• Skills and qualifications: Depending on the trade agreement, applicants may need to hold a degree-level qualification, a relevant technical qualification, or professional registration/licensing.
• Work experience: Applicants must usually show at least 12 months’ employment with their overseas service provider, or 12 months of self-employment in the relevant sector.
• Financial requirement: Unless exempt, applicants must show they have held at least £1,270 in savings for 28 consecutive days prior to application, unless the UK sponsor certifies maintenance.
• English language: There is no English language requirement for this route, distinguishing it from many other UK work visas.

 

 

2. Employer/Sponsor Requirements

 

UK businesses hosting service suppliers must also meet specific conditions:

• Sponsor licence: The UK company must hold a valid sponsor licence under the Global Business Mobility routes, with permission to sponsor Service Supplier visa holders.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): The sponsor must assign a defined CoS to the applicant, setting out details of the contract, duration of stay, and confirmation that the work meets trade agreement requirements.
• Genuine need: The UK sponsor must demonstrate a genuine need for the overseas service supplier and that the role is compliant with the scope of the trade agreement.
• Compliance duties: Sponsors must commit to all compliance obligations, including record-keeping, reporting changes, and ensuring the worker performs only the permitted role.

 

 

3. Documents & Evidence

 

Applicants must provide a range of supporting documentation with their application, including:

• A valid passport or travel document.
• The Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the UK sponsor.
• Evidence of qualifications and/or professional registrations, where relevant under the trade agreement.
• Proof of 12 months’ prior employment with the overseas service provider, or 12 months of self-employment in the relevant sector.
• Financial evidence, such as bank statements, unless maintenance is certified by the sponsor.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results, if applying from a listed country.

 

The exact documents required may vary depending on the nature of the contract and the relevant trade agreement.

 

Section B Summary
Eligibility for the Service Supplier visa is two-tiered, requiring both the individual applicant and the sponsoring UK business to meet defined standards. The applicant must hold appropriate qualifications and work experience, and the UK sponsor must be licensed and able to demonstrate a genuine service need. Together, these safeguards ensure the route is reserved for legitimate service supply under international trade agreements.

 

 

Section C: Application Process & Costs

 

The Service Supplier visa application process is designed to be relatively straightforward but requires careful preparation by both the applicant and the sponsoring UK business. Ensuring all steps are followed correctly is crucial to avoid delays or refusals.

 

1. Application Steps

 

The application process generally follows these steps:

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Before an application can be submitted, the UK sponsor must issue a CoS through the Sponsor Management System, detailing the role, duration, and contract covered by the relevant trade agreement.
• Online application: The applicant must complete the Service Supplier visa application form online via the Home Office website.
• Biometrics and identity verification: Applicants must attend a visa application centre (if outside the UK) or a UKVCAS centre (if applying inside the UK) to provide fingerprints and a photograph. In some cases, identity can be verified through the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
• Supporting documents: The applicant must upload or submit all required supporting documents, including evidence of qualifications, prior employment, financial maintenance, and TB test results where applicable.
• Decision: The Home Office will consider the application, and if successful, issue a visa allowing entry or stay in the UK for the period stated on the CoS.

 

 

2. Visa Fees & Costs

 

Applicants and sponsors must be aware of the financial implications of this route. Key costs include:

• Application fee: £298 per applicant, whether applying inside or outside the UK.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year of the visa, payable at the time of application. This provides access to the NHS.
• Sponsor licence costs: The UK employer must hold a valid sponsor licence. Fees vary depending on business size and type, typically £536 for a small company or £1,476 for a medium/large company.
• Certificate of Sponsorship fee: £239 per assignment.

 

Applicants should also budget for additional costs such as translation of documents, priority processing (if chosen), and legal or professional support.

 

3. Processing Times

 

Service Supplier visa applications are generally processed quickly, but times can vary depending on location and demand. Typical timelines include:

• Standard processing: Around 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK and 8 weeks for in-country applications.
• Priority processing: In many locations, applicants can pay an additional fee for faster decisions, often within 5 working days.
• Super priority service: Where available, a decision may be made within 24 hours for an additional fee.

 

It is also possible to switch into this route from certain eligible visas inside the UK, though not from visitor routes. Applicants and sponsors should check the current guidance before applying.

 

Section C Summary
The Service Supplier visa application process requires coordination between the overseas applicant and the UK sponsor. Costs include the application fee, health surcharge, and sponsor licence obligations, making careful financial planning necessary. Processing times are generally efficient, but advance preparation is key to avoiding disruption to business projects.

 

 

Section D: Compliance & HR Considerations

 

Once a Service Supplier visa has been granted, the UK sponsor takes on significant compliance responsibilities. These obligations are designed to ensure that the visa is used appropriately, in line with trade agreements and UK immigration law. HR directors and business owners should view compliance not just as a legal duty but as an integral part of workforce governance and risk management.

 

1. Sponsor Duties

 

As licensed sponsors, UK businesses must adhere to a strict set of duties under the Home Office sponsorship framework. These include:

• Right to work checks: Sponsors must conduct and retain compliant right to work checks on all Service Supplier visa holders before they start employment.
• Record-keeping: Employers must keep accurate records of the visa holder’s contact details, evidence of their qualifications, employment history, and a copy of the signed contract.
• Reporting duties: Sponsors are required to notify the Home Office of key changes, such as early termination of the contract, unauthorised absences, or any breaches of visa conditions.
• Contractual compliance: Sponsors must ensure that the individual only carries out the role specified in the Certificate of Sponsorship and does not engage in unpermitted work.

 

These obligations are monitored by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) through compliance visits and audits.

 

2. Risks of Non-Compliance

 

Failing to meet sponsor duties can have serious consequences for UK businesses, including:

• Suspension or revocation of the sponsor licence.
• Financial penalties for illegal working.
• Reputational damage affecting future contracts or international partnerships.
• Disruption to business projects reliant on overseas service providers.

 

Non-compliance can also directly affect visa holders, potentially resulting in curtailment of their visa and removal from the UK.

 

3. Best Practices for HR Teams

 

To manage compliance effectively, HR teams should integrate sponsorship obligations into their wider HR systems and procedures. Best practices include:

• Establishing a centralised immigration compliance process with clear lines of accountability.
• Training HR and line managers on visa conditions and sponsor duties.
• Implementing regular audits of employee records to ensure documents remain up to date.
• Using digital right to work tools to maintain accurate compliance records.
• Building immigration compliance into workforce planning to align business needs with visa timelines.

 

By embedding these practices into day-to-day HR operations, employers can reduce the risk of compliance breaches and maintain good standing with the Home Office.

 

Section D Summary
Compliance is a critical element of the Service Supplier visa route. UK sponsors must meet strict obligations covering right to work checks, reporting, and record-keeping. Non-compliance carries severe risks, but by adopting proactive HR processes, businesses can minimise exposure and ensure the effective use of this visa category in line with their international service needs.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

How long is the Service Supplier visa valid for?
The visa is capped at a maximum of 12 months in any 24-month period, as determined by the relevant trade agreement and the Certificate of Sponsorship. This limit applies whether the visa is granted initially or extended.

Can dependants join Service Supplier visa holders?
Yes. Partners and children under 18 can apply to join the main applicant as dependants, provided they meet financial and immigration requirements. Each dependant must submit their own application and pay the relevant fees, including the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Can Service Supplier visa holders apply for settlement in the UK?
No. This route does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain. It is designed as a temporary work visa tied to international trade commitments. Applicants who wish to settle must switch into a visa route that provides a pathway to settlement.

What is the difference between the Service Supplier visa and the UK Expansion Worker visa?
The Service Supplier visa is for overseas service providers delivering contract-based services in the UK under trade agreements. By contrast, the UK Expansion Worker visa allows overseas businesses to send senior employees to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary. They serve different purposes within the Global Business Mobility routes.

 

 

Conclusion

 

The Service Supplier visa plays a vital role in enabling UK businesses to access international expertise in line with the UK’s trade commitments. It is a temporary and tightly regulated route, designed to ensure services are delivered under specific contractual arrangements while maintaining immigration control.

For employers, the visa offers flexibility to bring in overseas specialists where domestic expertise is not available, but it also imposes strict compliance duties. HR directors and business owners must be proactive in managing sponsorship obligations, including right to work checks, reporting, and record-keeping, to avoid the risks of penalties or loss of sponsor status.

Used effectively, the Service Supplier visa provides a compliant mechanism for UK companies to benefit from cross-border trade and enhance their business projects through targeted access to overseas service providers.

 

 

Glossary

 

Term	Definition
Service Supplier Visa	A Global Business Mobility route allowing overseas contractual service suppliers or self-employed professionals to deliver services in the UK under international trade agreements.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)	An electronic document issued by a licensed UK sponsor confirming the details of the role and contract, required for the visa application.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)	A fee paid as part of the visa application that entitles the visa holder to access NHS services during their stay in the UK.
Global Business Mobility (GBM)	A category of UK work visas covering five routes: Service Supplier, Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, and Secondment Worker.
Trade Agreement	A treaty between the UK and another country that regulates cross-border trade, including the supply of specific services by overseas providers.

 

 

Useful Links

 

Resource	Link
GOV.UK – Service Supplier visa guidance	https://www.gov.uk/service-supplier-visa
GOV.UK – Global Business Mobility visas overview	https://www.gov.uk/global-business-mobility
DavidsonMorris – Service Supplier Visa	https://www.davidsonmorris.com/service-supplier-visa/
Xpats.io – Service Supplier Visa	https://www.xpats.io/service-supplier-visa/