The Secondment Worker visa is intended for overseas workers who are taking up a temporary work position in the UK as part of a high-value contract, investment, or project. This is a brand-new visa scheme that was launched by the Government alongside reforms to other types of Global Mobility Visa.

There are strict entry requirements for anyone who wishes to apply for a Secondment Worker visa. This makes it even more important to put forward the strongest possible application with supporting evidence to demonstrate exactly why you qualify and how you’ll be an asset to your employer and the organisation you’ll be on secondment to.

This guide explains more about the Global Business Mobility: Secondment Worker visa. Read on to learn more about how the experienced WH Solicitors team could help you to file a successful visa application.

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H2: What is the Global Business Mobility Visa Scheme?

On 15 March 2022, the UK Government launched a new set of visa schemes under the revised points-based immigration system. The Global Mobility visa scheme was established at this time, and provides skilled workers with a variety of routes to enter and work in the UK for a temporary period.

H2: Global Business Mobility Visa –Requirements for Secondment Workers

To qualify for a Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa, you will need to show that you meet the relevant requirements. You must:

• Get a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer with a sponsor licence from the Home Office.
• Have been approved for a secondment to a UK business or organisation that has a contract with your overseas employer for the work that you will do.
• Have worked for your overseas employer, or a member of the same business group, for at least 12 months before making an application.
• Have been sponsored for a job that is on the government’s list of eligible occupations.
• Be paid at least the minimum eligible salary for the role you are taking.
• Be able to show that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself when you come to the UK.

H2: Getting a Certificate of Sponsorship

To get approved for a Secondment Worker visa, you will need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK business that has received a sponsorship licence from the Home Office. The sponsorship certificate will provide details of the work that you will do whilst in the UK, and show that your overseas employer is connected to the secondment business by common ownership or control.

In some cases, the Home Office may consider whether there is a genuine need for the job described in the Certificate of Sponsorship. They may also wish to investigate the sponsor’s history with the immigration system to determine whether they are likely to comply with the relevant rules including those relating to pay and working conditions for migrant workers.

H2: Visa Conditions

Once you have been approved for a Secondment Worker visa, you will be able to stay in the UK for the shorter of either a period of 12 months, or for a maximum of 14 days longer than the date shown on your sponsorship certificate.

Whilst in the UK, you will be permitted to work for your sponsor in the job that is described on your certificate of sponsorship, start an educational course and study, bring your dependant partner, spouse or children to the UK if they are eligible, undertake voluntary or charity work, and travel overseas and return to the UK.

Secondment Worker visa holders are not permitted to do the following:

• apply for public funds, most benefits, or the State Pension;
• change to another job without updating their visa;
• take on a second job;
• apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain to stay in the UK permanently.

H2: How We Can Help

WH Solicitors is a specialist immigration law practice that offers expert advice and practical help that allows businesses and individual migrants to navigate the UK legal system. We make it easy for clients to apply for a visa and assist companies as they apply for a sponsorship licence.

For a personal, professional approach to immigration law, contact our expert team today by calling (+44) 01483 608 786 or by emailing contact@whsolicitors.co.uk.

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