UK Work Visas
Overseas Domestic Worker
The Domestic Worker visa allows private and diplomatic employers to bring their domestic workers with them when visiting to the UK. A domestic worker may include a cleaner, chauffeur, gardener, cook, nanny or carer in a private household.
Overseas Domestic Worker Visa Requirements
To qualify for a Domestic Worker visa, applicants must have been employed as a domestic worker in their employer's private or diplomatic household for at least six (6) months and intend to work full-time as their domestic worker in the UK. Furthermore, applicants must:
- be 18 – 65 years of age;
- intend to work in the UK with their private or diplomatic employer;
- not intend to undertake any other employment in the UK;
- be able to support themselves without any recourse to public funds; and
- cannot change employers or have accompanying dependants.
Domestic Worker visa applicants may also be required to meet certain health and character requirements.
Overseas Domestic Worker Visa Entitlements
Successful applicants from private households will initially be given permission to live in the UK for a maximum of 6 months. the UK Border Agency may not extend their permission to stay for additional periods. Applicants cannot switch employers and cannot have any dependants.
For successful applicants from Diplomatic Households the initial grant of leave is for 12 months at a time, 5 years for diplomatic households in total or if the diplomatic posting is shorter than it will be limited to this.
Domestic Worker Visa Processing Time and Costs
| OVERSEAS DOMESTIC WORKER | OUTSIDE THE UK (ENTRY CLEARANCE) | INSIDE THE UK (FLR) |
|---|---|---|
| Government Main Application Fee | UK£265 | UK£550 |
| Government Partner Application Fee | UK£265 | UK£275/550* |
| Government Child Application Fee | UK£265 | UK£275/550* |
| Premium Migration Service | US$1999 | |
| Processing Times | 1-12 weeks | 4-16 weeks |
* The reduced fee will be applicable when the dependent applies at the same time with the main applicant.
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Tier 1 (General) Visa Extension
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Tier 2 (General) Visa
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Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer)
The Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa allows those with an offer of transfer or secondment to live and work in the UK as a sponsored worker. -
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The Tier 5 visa category includes a range of temporary work visas which allow specific types of workers to undertake short term and temporary work in the UK. -
Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme)
The Youth Mobility Scheme allows 18 - 30 year olds from participating countries an opportunity to holiday and work in the UK for up to two (2) years. -
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