WH Solicitors
Global Mobility
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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Secondment Worker Visa
FAQs
Yes, all Global Business Mobility visa routes require sponsorship from an employer with a valid sponsorship licence. You will not be able to gain leave to remain as a secondment worker without a valid certificate of sponsorship.
When applying for a Secondment Worker visa, you will usually need to pay:
- the £259 application fee; and
- the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay in the UK.
You will also need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependants when you come to the UK.
If you will not be coming to the UK on secondment for a project or major contract, you will need to apply for leave to remain under another visa category and will not be able to attain a valid certificate of sponsorship.
Applications for a Secondment Worker visa can be made up to 3 months before the day you intend to start work in the UK. This date should be listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
Once your application has been submitted, it could take up to three weeks for a decision to be made if you are applying from outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you’re already in the country.
The contents of this webpage are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal advice. All information is correct as of the date of publication, and any individual or organisation should be careful to seek qualified advice from a specialist immigration lawyer before acting on any of the topics referenced by this content.
WH Solicitors
Dependant Visas
Dependent Visas: Who is a Dependent under UK Immigration Law and How to Apply for a Visa
Do you have family who want to join you in the UK or accompany you when you travel? A Dependent Visa could be the answer. Find out how to apply here
A UK Dependent Visa is for the family members of people who have applied for visas in different Worker categories, Representatives of overseas businesses, Innovators, and Global Talent migrants, as well as those granted visas based on UK ancestry.
Who is Eligible to Apply for a Dependent Visa?
To apply for a Dependent Visa, you must be the dependent family member of a qualifying migrant or a migrant who is applying to come to the UK and who qualifies for entry.
Under the immigration rules, a dependent is defined as a husband, wife, or civil partner, an unmarried or same-sex partner, or a child under eighteen years old when the application is made. Unmarried or same-sex partners must be able to demonstrate that they have been in a genuine and subsisting relationship for at least the previous two years.
Financial Status
An essential requirement is that the family have enough money to support themselves in the UK without having to rely on public funds. The sums required depend upon the visa status of the principal applicant.
What Documents Do You Need to Apply for a Dependent Visa?
When you apply for a Dependent Visa, you will need the following documents: –
- A valid passport or other travel document
- If married, the marriage certificate for the spouse or the birth certificate if the applicant is a child
- Bank statements
- Evidence of a genuine and subsisting relationship if the applicant is part of a same-sex or unmarried couple
- A clear Tuberculosis test certificate, if relevant
Applications are made online either inside or outside the UK. Documents are verified using the Immigration: ID Check app. If you are unable to use this for any reason, then you will need to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre to give your biometric information – this is a photograph and fingerprints.
Do you Want to Apply for a Dependent Visa?
There are essentially four essential requirements to apply for a Dependent Visa successfully. You must be able to prove your identity and evidence your relationship to the primary applicant, which is more challenging if you are not married. You must also have an intention to live with your sponsor in the UK for the duration of their visa and have enough funds to support yourself without relying on public funds, i.e., state benefits.
UK immigration law is tightly regulated, and any errors in the application, even if they are genuine mistakes, will result in refusal. Appointing an immigration specialist can make your chances of success much greater. They will organise the documents for your application and represent you throughout the process.
WH Solicitors, the Family Friendly Immigration Experts
WH Solicitors are experienced immigration professionals with a long track record representing clients applying for Dependent Visas. Our specialist team provides cost-effective and practical advice that is easy to understand.
Why Use WH Solicitors?
As focused immigration professionals, WH Solicitors increase the chances of your partner or family member being able to accompany you to the UK on a Dependent Visa. We understand this is a worrying and stressful time, and our friendly team and straightforward approach aim to make this process as easy as possible. All our fees are set out clearly from the outset, so you know exactly how much it costs, and there are no hidden charges.
Here’s how we can help.
- Review your situation and status and check your eligibility
- Identify and verify the documents required to evidence your identity and your relationship with the main applicant
- Arrange for legalised translations of documents that are not in English or Welsh
- Prepare and submit your application
- Robustly represent you throughout the entire process, including handling any queries or challenges from the Home Office
- Assist with the primary visa application and other visas for family members
- Offer general guidance and advice about living, working, and studying in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the application for a Dependent Visa take?
Allow around twelve weeks from your visa appointment date or verification of your documents if you are outside the UK. If you are in the UK, the average processing time is about eight weeks. If you are not within the UK and attending an appointment at a UKVCAS centre, then for an extra fee, you can opt for a priority service, which usually produces a result within five working days. There is also a super-priority service that gives a decision within 24 hours.
How much does a Dependent Visa application cost?
The fee to apply for a Dependent Visa is based on the visa status of the principal applicant, so it varies. There is also the Immigration Health surcharge, which is £624 per year for an adult dependent visa applicant and £470 for a child.
Who are the leaders in Dependent Visa applications?
The main applicant or leader is someone qualified for a UK visa; this is typically based on work or a study placement. The principal applicant can sponsor their dependent family members to allow them to apply for a Dependent Visa to join them in the UK or accompany them if they have not yet arrived.
How long does a Dependent Visa last for?
The duration of stay for a Dependent Visa is always granted in line with the sponsor. If a child is coming to the UK and both parents have UK visas, then the child’s visa is tailored to match the visa of the parent with the shorter time allowed to stay or remaining. If the main applicant has been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain, a dependent partner can also apply for ILR if they qualify.
WH Solicitors offers a specialist immigration service for all types of visas and can advise on Dependent Visas and other routes to come to the UK. Our experts are proactive and practical and handle visa applications in a robust manner, ensuring you have the best outcome. Let us take all the complexity, worry, and stress out of applying for a visa. With reasonable and cost-effective fees, you know you are making the best choice with WH Solicitors, immigration experts you can trust.
The contents of this webpage are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to constitute legal advice. All information is correct as of the date of publication, and any individual or organisation should be careful to seek qualified advice from a specialist immigration lawyer before acting on any of the topics referenced by this content.