This visa is if an overseas employer is transferring you to the UK to do an eligible job for a different organisation.

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Your overseas employer must have a high-value contract with the UK organisation.

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Your employer will tell you if their contract allows you to be eligible for a Secondment Worker visa

You can stay in the UK for 12 months after the start date detailed in your certificate of sponsorship or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days. Whichever is shorter of the two.

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If you have spent time in the UK on a Secondment Worker visa or another visa before, you can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period.

 

REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for a Secondment Worker visa you must:

• Be an existing employee of an overseas organisation that has a high value contract with your UK sponsor that has been approved by the UK Home Office

• Have worked for your overseas employer for at least 12 months outside the UK

• Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your sponsor with information about the work you will do in the UK

• Do a job in the UK that is on the list of eligible occupations. You can check on the gov.uk website, you can find your occupation from the 4 digit occupation code on your certificate of sponsorship.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be made online.

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As part of your applications you will need to prove your identity. To do so you will either:

• Have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre to get a biometric residence permit

• Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document. By doing this, you will create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

 

You will also be told what you need to do further when you apply.

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You will only be allowed to extend your visa from inside the UK if you are still working for the UK sponsor who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship.

 

You are still working on the same contract that your employer has with your sponsor. And you have not reached the maximum total stay.

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To switch to this visa you must meet the eligibility requirements.

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You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you are currently in the UK:

• On a visit visa

• On a short-term student visa

• On a Parent of a Child Student visa

• On a seasonal worker visa

• On a domestic worker in a private household visa

• On immigration bail

• Because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules

 

You must leave the UK and apply for a Secondment Worker visa from abroad if you are in one of these categories.

 

TIME FRAME:

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship. You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this.

 

Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you will usually get a decision on your visa within:

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3 weeks, if you are outside the UK

And

8 weeks if you are inside the UK.

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What you can and cannot do

What you can do

• Work for sponsor in the job described on certificate

• Study

• Bring your partner and children as ‘dependents’

• Do voluntary work

• Travel abroad and return to the UK

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Cannot do

• Apply for most benefits (public funds) or the State Pension

• Change jobs unless you are eligible and update visa

• Have a second job

• Apply to settle permanently in the UK

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We have extensive experience in handling all immigration matters. To discuss about your UK Senior or Secondment Worker Visa application with one of our immigration Solicitors, please contact us on 01279 312185 or submit our enquiry form given below.