--- title: "UK Service Supplier Visa" url: https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/uk-service-supplier-visa/ type: page date: 2024-02-14 modified: 2026-10-27 markdown_url: https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/uk-service-supplier-visa.md author: "T Shah" --- # UK Service Supplier Visa [Home](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com) # Service Supplier Visa UK The Service Supplier Visa supports overseas service providers and self-employed professionals who need to come to the UK temporarily under a qualifying service contract. This route is evidence-led because the sponsor, contract, trade agreement, occupation and professional experience must all align. [Book a Service Supplier Visa Consultation](#contact) ## Quick case check Review whether the trade agreement, sponsor, contract and professional evidence are strong enough before you apply. ### Valid service contract? ### Approved UK sponsor? ### Trade agreement covered? ### Experience evidence ready? [Ask a Service Supplier Adviser](#contact) Book Consultation Overview Eligibility Key Facts Documents Fees Extension ILR How We Help FAQs ### Overview ## What is the Service Supplier Visa and who is it for? The Service Supplier Visa is designed for overseas service providers who need to deliver a service to a UK business under a contract covered by a qualifying international trade agreement. It can be used by an employee of an overseas business or by a self-employed professional based overseas, provided the service, contract and applicant all meet the route requirements. This is not a general work visa and it is not suitable for standard UK recruitment. The UK sponsor must be authorised to sponsor the person for the relevant contract and must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship that matches the service being provided, the applicant’s role, dates and work details. For many applicants, the difficulty is not completing a form. The real risk is proving that the trade agreement, occupation code, qualifications, professional experience and overseas work history all support the same application. Immigration Visa Expert can review the case structure before the application is prepared. ### Latest position ## What are the current Service Supplier Visa rules? Temporary route This is a short-term Global Business Mobility route for a qualifying service contract. It does not directly lead to settlement. Current fee and IHS The application fee is £340 per applicant. The Immigration Health Surcharge is usually £1,035 per year. Maintenance funds The main applicant usually needs £1,270 in available funds unless an exemption or sponsor-certified maintenance applies. Contract and trade agreement The sponsored service must fit a qualifying international trade agreement and the Certificate of Sponsorship should reflect this clearly. ### Key facts ## Service Supplier Visa UK: key points before you apply Applicant type For an overseas employee or a self-employed professional based overseas. Contract requirement The service must be provided under a qualifying international trade agreement. Sponsorship A UK sponsor must issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship or sponsorship reference. Work history At least 12 months of relevant overseas work or professional activity is usually required. Stay length Usually up to 6 or 12 months depending on the relevant trade agreement and work dates. Settlement This route does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain. ### Eligibility ## Who can qualify for a Service Supplier Visa? A Service Supplier applicant must be an employee of an overseas business or a self-employed service provider based overseas. The service must be delivered to a UK sponsor under a contract that is covered by a qualifying international trade agreement. The applicant must be sponsored for eligible work. If the occupation is not eligible, the applicant may still qualify under the alternative qualification and professional-experience provisions. They will normally need a bachelor’s degree or higher in any subject, or a technical qualification equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, plus at least 3 years of relevant professional experience if they are an overseas employee or 6 years if self-employed. Some services have different qualification or experience requirements, including advertising or translation, chef de cuisine, entertainment, fashion or modelling, management consulting, and technical testing or analysis. Check the current GOV.UK guidance and relevant trade agreement for the sector-specific rules. The evidence must show that the applicant’s skill, sector experience and service being supplied are consistent with the sponsored role. An overseas employee must usually have worked for the overseas employer outside the UK for at least 12 months. A self-employed professional must usually show at least 12 months of relevant professional activity in the same sector as the service being supplied. Trade agreement fit is central to this route The sponsor, service contract, occupation code, qualifications and applicant background should be reviewed together. A strong application explains why the service falls within the route and why the applicant is the right professional to deliver it. ### Trade agreement ## How does the trade agreement requirement affect the application? The Service Supplier route is closely linked to international trade commitments. This means the service contract must fall within a trade agreement that allows the relevant type of service supplier to come to the UK temporarily. The trade-agreement analysis can affect eligibility, nationality or residence requirements, service sector coverage and maximum stay. Some agreements allow up to 12 months, while others allow up to 6 months. The Certificate of Sponsorship should support the relevant contract and agreement clearly. This is one of the most important parts of the application. If the trade agreement, contract description, sponsor record or applicant evidence does not align, the application can be weakened even where the person is highly experienced. ### Documents ## What documents are usually important for a Service Supplier Visa? The document strategy should confirm identity, sponsorship, contract fit, occupation or qualification position, overseas work history, financial position and family relationship evidence where dependants are included. The exact evidence depends on whether the applicant is an overseas employee or a self-employed professional. It may also depend on the relevant trade agreement, the service sector, the occupation code and whether the applicant relies on qualifications and professional experience instead of a listed eligible occupation. Sponsor and contract fit Evidence should show the sponsored service arrangement clearly. Professional background Work history, qualifications and experience should match the route relied on. Family and funds Dependants and maintenance evidence should be checked before submission. ## Request a Service Supplier Visa document review We can review the sponsor details, contract position, applicant evidence and dependant documents before the application is prepared. [Request Document Review](#contact) ### Fees ## How much does a Service Supplier Visa cost? Application fee **£340 per applicant.** Paid by each main applicant and dependant applying under this route. Immigration Health Surcharge **Usually £1,035 per year.** Calculated separately according to the period of permission requested. Main applicant maintenance **Usually £1,270.** Required unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption or sponsor-certified maintenance. Dependant maintenance **£285 partner, £315 first child and £200 each additional child. ** Required where evidence is needed and no exemption or sponsor certification applies. Other costs **Case-dependent.** Translation, tuberculosis testing where required, priority services and professional advice may add to the overall cost. ### Dependants ## Can dependants apply with a Service Supplier? A partner and dependent children can apply with or after the main applicant if they meet the relevant relationship, age, care and financial requirements. Their permission is usually linked to the main applicant’s permission. Dependent partners and children may normally work, study and travel, subject to the conditions of their permission. They cannot normally access public funds. Family applications should be planned carefully because evidence of relationship, residence, finances and timing can affect whether dependants are approved with the main applicant or need a separate strategy. ### Extension ## Can a Service Supplier Visa be extended? A Service Supplier Visa may be extended from inside the UK if the applicant continues to work for the same sponsor under the relevant contract, still meets the route requirements, and has not reached the maximum permitted stay. The maximum stay depends on the trade agreement and the sponsored work dates. In many cases the single assignment limit is 6 months, while certain agreements may allow up to 12 months. The wider maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period across the relevant Global Business Mobility and legacy Intra-company routes can also restrict total time in the UK across relevant mobility routes. If the role, contract, sponsor or service arrangement changes, the position should be reviewed before any extension or visa update is planned. ### Settlement ## How Immigration Visa Expert supports Service Supplier Visa applicants The Service Supplier Visa does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain. It is a temporary work route for a specific service arrangement under a qualifying trade agreement. If the applicant wants a longer-term UK work and settlement plan, they may need to consider whether another route such as Skilled Worker could become available later, depending on sponsor licence position, role, salary and eligibility. Settlement planning should not be left until the visa is close to expiry. Early advice can help decide whether the current route is suitable or whether another UK immigration strategy may be more appropriate. ### How we help ## How Immigration Visa Expert supports Service Supplier Visa applicants ## Build the application around trade agreement, sponsorship and professional evidence We help applicants, overseas service providers and UK sponsors structure the case around eligibility, trade agreement coverage, sponsorship evidence and future planning. - trade agreement - sponsor review - CoS check - work history - dependants - extension planning Process ### Service Supplier Visa support pathway 1 #### Initial consultation We review the service contract, applicant profile, sponsor position and timing. 2 #### Eligibility strategy We assess trade agreement coverage, applicant type, work history and route suitability. 3 #### Sponsor and CoS review We check whether the sponsorship record supports the contract, role and assignment dates. 4 #### Evidence preparation We help organise professional, financial and family evidence in a clear case bundle. 5 #### Outcome planning We advise on dependants, extension, visa updates and longer-term route planning where relevant. ## Ask Immigration Visa Expert to review your Service Supplier Visa case We can assess the sponsor, trade agreement, Certificate of Sponsorship, professional evidence, funds, dependants and extension strategy before the application is submitted. [Book Consultation](#contact) [Request Document Review](#contact) ### FAQs ## Service Supplier Visa FAQs [What is a Service Supplier Visa?](#collapse-d64d1886ae0b24df3e7c) It is a temporary Global Business Mobility route for an overseas employee or self-employed professional who will provide services to a UK business under a qualifying international trade agreement. [Is the Service Supplier Visa open to self-employed professionals?](#collapse-1a593046ae0b24df3e7c) Yes, self-employed professionals based overseas may qualify if the service, trade agreement, professional experience and sponsorship requirements are met. [Do I need a Certificate of Sponsorship?](#collapse-c8785b16ae0b24df3e7c) Yes. You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved UK sponsor before you apply. The CoS is an electronic record containing details of the work you will do in the UK, and you will use its reference number in your visa application. [Does a Service Supplier need a UK sponsor?](#collapse-1d2e7c66ae0b24df3e7c) Yes. The UK business receiving the service must be an approved sponsor and must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship or sponsorship reference number for the relevant work. [Do I need 12 months of experience?](#collapse-96193e06ae0b24df3e7c) An overseas employee usually needs 12 months of overseas work with the relevant employer. A self-employed professional usually needs 12 months of relevant professional activity in the same sector. [Is there a salary threshold for the Service Supplier route?](#collapse-a0ded056ae0b24df3e7c) The route is not usually assessed through a general salary threshold in the same way as some other work routes. The case instead focuses on sponsorship, trade agreement coverage, eligible work, qualifications, experience and contract fit. [How long can I stay in the UK as a Service Supplier?](#collapse-5f423fc6ae0b24df3e7c) The maximum single assignment is usually 6 or 12 months depending on the relevant trade agreement and the Certificate of Sponsorship dates. The wider maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period across the relevant Global Business Mobility and legacy Intra-company routes can also apply. [Can my family apply with me?](#collapse-7a785786ae0b24df3e7c) A partner and dependent children may apply if they meet the relationship and financial requirements. Their permission is usually linked to the main applicant. [Can I extend a Service Supplier Visa?](#collapse-35c8c1a6ae0b24df3e7c) An extension may be possible from inside the UK if the same sponsor and contract continue, the route requirements remain met and the maximum stay has not been reached. [Does the Service Supplier Visa lead to ILR?](#collapse-6ed96146ae0b24df3e7c) No. This route does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain. Longer-term settlement planning may require another immigration route. [How can Immigration Visa Expert help with a Service Supplier Visa?](#collapse-a84e9726ae0b24df3e7c) We can review the trade agreement position, sponsorship record, Certificate of Sponsorship, occupation or qualification evidence, overseas work history, funds, dependants and extension or settlement strategy. [Can I switch to a Service Supplier Visa from inside the UK?](#collapse-84bae3d6ae0b24df3e7c) Switching may be possible from some UK immigration categories if you meet all Service Supplier requirements. If you have Student permission, you must meet one of the course-completion, job-start or full-time PhD conditions. You cannot switch from a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker or Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa, while on immigration bail, or with permission outside the Immigration Rules. [Check the current GOV.UK switching rules](https://www.gov.uk/service-supplier-visa/switch). [What can I do if my Service Supplier Visa application is refused?](#collapse-6c9e6bf6ae0b24df3e7c) Review the decision promptly. You may be able to apply for Administrative Review under [Appendix AR](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-administrative-review) if you believe the refusal contains a caseworking error. Depending on the refusal reason and the evidence available, a fresh application or another immigration route may sometimes be more appropriate. ### Related guides ## Related UK immigration guides Related guide ## Senior or Specialist Worker For overseas group employees moving to a UK linked business in a senior or specialist role. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/senior-specialist-worker-visa-global-business-mobility/) Related guide ## UK Expansion Worker For overseas businesses sending senior staff to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/expansion-worker-visa-global-business-mobility/) Related guide ## Secondment Worker For overseas workers seconded to the UK under a qualifying high-value contract or investment. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/secondment-worker-visa-global-business-mobility/) Related guide ## Graduate Trainee For overseas group employees joining a UK graduate training programme leading to a senior or specialist role. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/post-study-graduate-trainee-global-business-mobility/) Related guide ## Sponsor Licence for Global Business Mobility For UK organisations that need the correct sponsor licence before assigning a mobility Certificate of Sponsorship. [Read guide](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/sponsor-licence-for-uk-employers/) Related guide ## Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) For understanding healthcare surcharge costs across UK work visa routes and dependant applications. [Read guide](https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application) ## Ready to discuss a Service Supplier Visa? Speak to Immigration Visa Expert for advice on sponsorship, trade agreement coverage, professional evidence, dependants, extension and long-term route planning. ### Ask an Immigration Adviser Share your visa query and our team will guide you on the next step.