Route type
Temporary Global Business Mobility route for qualifying secondment assignments.
Overview
What is the Secondment Worker Visa?
The Secondment Worker Visa is part of the Global Business Mobility framework. It is for an overseas worker who is being temporarily assigned to the UK because their overseas employer has a qualifying high-value contract or investment with a UK sponsor.
This route is useful where a business needs a specialist employee to carry out work connected to a specific UK contract, but it is not designed for ordinary UK recruitment, general outsourcing or permanent UK employment. The evidence must show a genuine secondment and a clear link between the overseas employer, the UK sponsor and the work in the UK.
Latest position
What are the current Secondment Worker Visa rules?
Current route position
The route remains a temporary Global Business Mobility route for overseas workers being seconded to the UK as part of a qualifying high-value contract or investment. It does not directly lead to settlement.
Overseas work requirement
Current route rules use a 6-month overseas work requirement for new Secondment Worker applications, unless an extension exception applies for the same sponsor.
Fees and costs
The current application fee is £319 per applicant. The immigration health surcharge is usually £1,035 per year and is payable separately unless an exemption applies.
Financial evidence
The main applicant usually needs £1,270 in available funds unless they qualify for an exemption or the sponsor certifies first-month maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Key facts
Secondment Worker Visa UK: key points before you apply
UK sponsor
The UK organisation must hold the correct sponsor licence and the relevant contract must support the secondment.
Overseas employer
The applicant must be an existing employee of the overseas business linked to the UK sponsor’s qualifying contract.
Overseas work
Current rules usually require at least 6 months’ overseas work for the overseas business before applying.
Stay length
Initial permission is usually up to 12 months, with a maximum of 2 years on this route.
Settlement
This route does not directly lead to ILR, so long-term planning is essential.
Eligibility
Who can apply for a Secondment Worker Visa?
The applicant must be aged 18 or over, be an existing employee of the overseas business, have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a properly licensed UK sponsor, and work in an eligible occupation code.
The UK sponsor must have the correct sponsorship permission for this route, and the contract or investment underpinning the secondment must be suitable for this route. The role must be genuine, skilled at the appropriate level and aligned with the work described in the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Existing overseas employee
The applicant must be employed by the overseas business that is connected to the UK sponsor’s qualifying contract or investment.
Registered high-value contract
The secondment must be linked to a qualifying contract or investment between the overseas business and the UK sponsor, normally a high-value commercial arrangement.
Certificate of Sponsorship
The UK sponsor must assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship confirming the role, start date, sponsor details and secondment basis.
Eligible occupation code
The UK role must be in an eligible occupation code and the sponsor must select the correct code for the actual work being performed.
Genuine role and compliance
The role must be genuine and must not be created mainly for the visa application. Employment terms must comply with relevant UK workplace rules.
Financial requirement
The applicant must normally show maintenance funds unless exempt or sponsor-certified maintenance is recorded correctly.
Fees
How much does a Secondment Worker Visa cost?
Application fee
£319 per applicant.
Immigration Health Surcharge
Usually £1,035 per year, payable separately for each applicant unless an exemption applies.
Main applicant maintenance
Usually £1,270 unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption or the sponsor certifies maintenance.
Dependant maintenance
£285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child where evidence is required.
Other likely costs
Translation, tuberculosis testing where required, priority services and professional advice may add to the overall cost.
Sponsor costs
The UK sponsor may have sponsorship-related compliance and licence responsibilities linked to the assignment.
Need a full cost review?
We can help check the likely application fee, healthcare surcharge, dependant costs, evidence costs and sponsor-related planning before you proceed.
Documents
What documents are usually important for a Secondment Worker Visa?
The strongest applications are built around a clear evidence strategy rather than a long generic checklist. The evidence should show the genuine secondment, the sponsor relationship, the overseas employer, the qualifying contract, the applicant’s role and the applicant’s immigration position.
Access Global can review the sponsorship record, Certificate of Sponsorship, contract fit, occupation code, overseas work history, financial position and dependant evidence before the case is prepared.
Sponsorship and contract evidence
We check whether the sponsor position, secondment basis, contract details, CoS wording and role description are consistent.
Employment and role evidence
We review overseas employment history, the proposed UK role, occupation-code fit and evidence that the role is genuine.
Financial and personal evidence
We check identity, residence, funds, translations, TB testing where relevant, and dependant relationship evidence.
Want your Secondment Worker evidence checked before submission?
We can identify weak, missing or inconsistent evidence before the application is prepared.
Request Document ReviewDependants
Can your partner and children apply with you?
A partner and dependent children can apply where they meet the relevant relationship, age, care and financial requirements. Their permission normally ends on the same date as the main applicant’s permission, or the earlier date if a child’s parents have different expiry dates.
Dependant planning is important because family members may need their own evidence of relationship, funds, identity, residence and any required supporting documents.
Extension
Can a Secondment Worker Visa be extended?
A Secondment Worker Visa can normally be extended from inside the UK if the applicant continues working for the same sponsor, on the same qualifying contract, and has not reached the maximum stay limit. The maximum time on this route is 2 years.
There is also a wider Global Business Mobility and Intra-company route limit of 5 years in any 6-year period. This makes timing and immigration history important where the applicant has held other mobility permissions before.
Settlement
Does the Secondment Worker Visa lead to ILR?
The Secondment Worker route does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain. Applicants who want a long-term UK future should consider route planning early rather than waiting until the permission is close to expiry.
Another route may be possible later, depending on sponsorship, role, salary, eligibility, timing and immigration history. Access Global can advise whether a longer-term strategy is realistic.
How we help
How Access Global supports Secondment Worker Visa applicants
Build the secondment case around contract evidence, sponsorship and route strategy
We help employers, sponsors and applicants understand whether this is the right route, whether the sponsor and contract position is clear, whether the occupation-code evidence is strong, and whether the case should be planned alongside dependant, extension or long-term route strategy.
Process
Secondment Worker Visa support pathway
1
Initial consultation
We review the business contract, sponsor position, overseas employment history, role, timing and family circumstances.
2
Eligibility strategy
We assess whether Secondment Worker is the correct GBM route or whether another UK work route may be more suitable.
3
Sponsorship review
We check the Certificate of Sponsorship, contract basis, occupation code and role description before submission.
4
Evidence preparation
We help organise the evidence bundle so the secondment purpose, applicant profile and sponsor record are clear.
5
Outcome planning
We advise on dependants, extension, visa updates, refusal risks and longer-term UK immigration strategy where relevant.
Ask Access Global Immigration Visa Experts to review your secondment case
We can assess the sponsor record, contract evidence, CoS details, overseas employment history, funds, dependants and future route strategy before the application is submitted.
FAQs
Secondment Worker Visa FAQs
What is the Secondment Worker Visa used for?
It is used for temporary work assignments where an overseas employee is seconded to the UK as part of a qualifying high-value contract or investment involving their overseas employer and a UK sponsor.
Is this route the same as Skilled Worker?
No. Skilled Worker is usually used for UK employment with a sponsoring UK employer and can lead to settlement. Secondment Worker is a temporary Global Business Mobility route and does not directly lead to settlement.
How long must I have worked for the overseas employer?
Current route rules usually require at least 6 months of overseas work for the overseas business before applying, unless an extension exception applies for the same sponsor.
Does the Secondment Worker route have an English language requirement?
There is no separate English language points requirement for this route. The key focus is sponsorship, eligible occupation, genuine secondment and financial eligibility.
Is there a salary threshold for a Secondment Worker Visa?
There is no separate salary-threshold points requirement, but the sponsor must record pay details and the role must comply with relevant employment rules.
How long can I stay in the UK as a Secondment Worker?
Initial permission is normally up to 12 months or the CoS period plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. The maximum stay on this route is 2 years.
Can I bring my partner and children?
A partner and dependent children can apply where they meet the relationship, age, care and financial requirements. Their permission is normally linked to the main applicant.
Can I extend a Secondment Worker Visa?
An extension may be possible if the applicant continues working for the same sponsor on the same qualifying contract and has not reached the maximum stay limit.
Does the Secondment Worker Visa lead to ILR?
No. This route does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain. Long-term UK plans should be reviewed early, especially if settlement is important.
What happens if my UK role changes?
A visa update may be needed if the occupation code changes or the role no longer matches the sponsored assignment. The position should be reviewed before any role change is implemented.