UK Service Supplier visa consultant in India talks about the newly introduced ‘Global Business Mobility routes’

Update

The UK Service Supplier visa has replaced the T5 International Trade Agreement routes, from 11th April, 2022.

The Home Office UK had done some significant changes to the UK immigration rules for entrepreneurs and professionals, seeking opportunities to start their business/career in the UK.

One very popular business immigration route in the UK was the ‘Representative of an Overseas Business visa’ (also called as UK Sole Representative visa) which was unfortunately closed down from 11th April, 2022, for new applicants.

Instead, the Home Office launched a few new visas, amended some existing ones, and introduced a special category ‘Global Business Mobility’ which has 5 visas under it, that cater to business owners in the UK, overseas firms, and skilled professionals. These visas came into effect from 11th April, 2022.

One of these 5 visas is the ‘Service Supplier visa‘ which is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK. The worker must either be a contractual service supplier employed by an overseas service provider, or a self-employed independent professional based overseas.

Get in touch with The SmartMove2UK to know about these visas in detail. As a UK Service Supplier visa consultant in India, we accurately guide clients to set up their presence in the UK and the UK Service Supplier visa application process.

Table of contents

– What is the Service Supplier visa?
– What are the eligibility criteria to apply for a Service Supplier visa?
– What is the English language requirement for a Service Supplier visa?
– How can I get a Certificate of Sponsorship?
– What documents will I need to apply for a Service Supplier visa?
– How to apply for a Service Supplier visa?
– How long can I stay in the UK on a Service Supplier visa?
– How can I extend a Service Supplier visa?
– How can I switch to a Service Supplier visa from my current visa?
– How much is the cost of the UK Service Supplier visa?
– How long does it take to get a decision on the Service Supplier visa application?
– What is permitted/not permitted in the Service Supplier visa?
– How can The SmartMove2UK be of help for your Service Supplier visa application?
– FAQ’s on UK Service Supplier visa

What is the Service Supplier visa?

  • The Service Supplier visa is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK.
  • The worker must either be a contractual service supplier employed by an overseas service provider, or a self-employed independent professional based overseas.
  • The worker also needs to undertake an assignment in the UK to provide services covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements.
  • The main applicant can be accompanied by a partner and children (under 18 years) to the UK on this visa.
  • The Service Supplier visa does not permit settlement in the UK.

What are the eligibility criteria to apply for a Service Supplier visa?

Eligibility criteria for a UK Service Supplier visa are listed below:

  • Be an employee of an overseas business, or a self-employed service provider based overseas.
  • Be providing a service under a contract that is covered by a valid international trade agreement.
  • Be providing a service to a UK business that has been approved as a sponsor by the Home Office.
  • Do an eligible job – or prove the applicant has relevant qualifications and professional experience.
  • Have a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ from the UK sponsor with information about the work they will be doing in the UK.
  • Have worked for their employer for at least 12 months outside the UK, or have at least 12 months of professional experience if the applicant is a self-employed service provider.

The applicant must also have worked for at least 12 months either:

  • For their current employer outside the UK.
  • Immediately before the applicant applies and in the same sector as the service, they will provide, if they are self-employed.

What is the English language requirement for a Service Supplier visa?

Under the UK Service Supplier visa requirements, this is the English language requirement:

  • A Service Supplier visa applicant does not need to satisfy the English language requirement.

How can I get a Certificate of Sponsorship?

  • The UK-based employer – also known as a ‘Sponsor’ – must provide the applicant with a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ stating all the information regarding the job role for which the applicant is employed in the UK.
  • It’s an e-Certificate. That means, it is an electronic record and not a paper document.
  • The applicant will need the reference number from the Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for the visa.
  • The applicant is required to apply for the visa within 3 months of getting the Certificate of Sponsorship.

What documents will I need to apply for a Service Supplier visa?

Documents required for a UK Service Supplier visa are listed below:

  • A Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – given by the UK-based employer.
  • A valid passport to prove identity. The passport must have a blank page.
  • Job title and annual salary.
  • Job’s occupation code.
  • Name of the employer and their Sponsor Licence number – this is mentioned on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
  • Evidence that the applicant has enough personal savings to support their stay in the UK. For example, bank statements.
  • Proof of relationship – partner or children (if they are applying along with the applicant).
  • Tuberculosis test results (if required).
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How to apply for a Service Supplier visa?

The applicant must apply for a Service Supplier visa online.
Depending on the following circumstances the applicant can apply from;

  • Outside the UK to come to the UK.
  • Inside the UK and extend the current visa.
  • Inside the UK and switch from a different visa.
  • The applicant can include a partner and children (under 18 years) in the application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
  • If the applicant wants to change the job or employer, it is required that the applicant applies to update the visa.

How long can I stay in the UK on a Service Supplier visa?

This depends on the type of trade agreement of the services being provided by the applicant.
The applicant can stay for whichever is the shorter span:

  • 6 months or 12 months – this depends on the trade agreement provided for the services offered.
  • 12 months.

If the applicant has spent time in the UK on a Service Supplier visa or another visa before, they can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if they have spent time on any of these visas:

How can I extend a Service Supplier visa?

The applicant can apply to extend the Service Supplier visa if all the following are true:

  • The applicant is still contracted to work for the sponsor who gave them the current Certificate of Sponsorship.
  • The applicant has not reached the maximum total stay.
  • The job, qualifications, and experience still meet the eligibility requirements.
  • The applicant must be in the UK to extend the visa.
  • The applicant must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until a decision is received. If done so, the application will be withdrawn.
  • If the applicant changes the job/employer, it is then mandatory to apply to update the visa instead.

How can I switch to a Service Supplier visa from my current visa?

The applicant might be able to apply to change (switch) to a Service Supplier visa if they are already in the UK on a different type of visa. However, the eligibility requirements must be met.

Who cannot apply to switch?

Individuals who 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,
  • Permitted to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

The applicant is required to leave the UK and apply for a Service Supplier visa from abroad if they come under any one of these categories.

How much is the cost of the UK Service Supplier visa?

While applying for a Service Supplier visa, the applicant needs to have enough money to:

  • Pay the £259 Application fee.
  • Pay the Healthcare surcharge – this is usually £624 per year.
  • Support themselves after arriving in the UK – the applicant usually needs to have at least £1,270 available (unless exempted from this requirement).

How long does it take to get a decision on the Service Supplier visa application?

Once applied online, submitted identity proofs, and provided all relevant documents, the decision usually takes:

  • 3 weeks, if applied from outside the UK.
  • 8 weeks, if applied from inside the UK.

What is permitted/not permitted in the Service Supplier visa?

With a Service Supplier visa, the applicant can:

  • Work for their sponsor in the job described in the Certificate of Sponsorship.
  • Study.
  • Bring partner and children as ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
  • Do voluntary work.
  • Travel abroad and return to the UK.

The applicant cannot:

  • Apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.
  • Change jobs
  • Have a second job.
  • Apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’).

If the application is successful, the applicant gets a full list of what activities are permitted and not permitted on this visa.

How can The SmartMove2UK be of help for your UK Service Supplier visa application?

The SmartMove2UK’s business immigration lawyers are well-versed to assist overseas firms to expand to one of the biggest international markets, which is, the United Kingdom.

Be it a small business or a large multinational company in any sector, even a niche category firm, we have achieved positive results for many business owners around the globe.
We have been assisting clients from all over the world and our clientele is spread across 26+ countries, with 1,000 success stories.

The SmartMove2UK is a UK immigration law firm, established in 2009. As a UK Service Supplier visa consultant in India, our firm has a team of UK immigration solicitors and experts.

Our UK-qualified solicitors have the expertise of over 2 decades in providing Legal Advice for all UK immigration-related assistance. We also offer Full Representation service and Filing Appeals for Refused applications.

  • Our law firm was announced as the winner of the IAE Corporate Immigration Law (India) award, in 2016.
  • We are recognized by Who’s Who Legal (WWL) as a Corporate Immigration Firm in 2016.
  • We take pride in being members of prominent institutions like The Law Society and Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.

Our offices are located in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.
You can get in touch with our UK immigration lawyer to book a consultation!

Call for UK Vis Expert +91 9819127002 WhatsApp for UK Immigration Visa Expert +91 9819127002
Book UK Visa Consultant Book your Consultation Mail for UK Immigration Visa Expert info@smartmove2uk.com

A professional advice will go a long way to make your Service Supplier visa a successful one!

Fill this form and one of our Service Supplier visa consultant based in India will contact you asap.

FAQ’s on Service Supplier visa

What is a UK Service Supplier visa?

The Service Supplier visa is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK. The worker must either be a contractual service supplier employed by an overseas service provider, or a self-employed independent professional based overseas. The worker also needs to undertake an assignment in the UK to provide services covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements.

The Service Supplier visa is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK. The worker must either be a contractual service supplier employed by an overseas service provider, or a self-employed independent professional based overseas. The worker also needs to undertake an assignment in the UK to provide services covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements.

While applying for a Service Supplier visa, the applicant needs to have enough money to:

  • Pay the £259 Application fee.
  • Pay the Healthcare surcharge – this is usually £624 per year.
  • Support themselves after arriving in the UK – the applicant usually has to have at least £1,270 available (unless exempted from this requirement).

Documents required for a UK Graduate Trainee visa are listed below:

  • A Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – given by the UK-based employer.
  • A valid passport to prove identity. The passport must have a blank page.
  • Job title and annual salary.
  • Job’s occupation code.
  • Name of the employer and their Sponsor Licence number – this is mentioned on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
  • Evidence that the applicant has enough personal savings to support their stay in the UK. For example, bank statements.
  • Proof of relationship – partner or children (if they are applying along with the main applicant).
  • Tuberculosis test results (if required).

Documents required for a UK Service Supplier visa are listed below:

  • A Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – given by the UK-based employer.
  • A valid passport to prove identity. The passport must have a blank page.
  • Job title and annual salary.
  • Job’s occupation code.
  • Name of the employer and their Sponsor Licence number – this is mentioned on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
  • Evidence that the applicant has enough personal savings to support their stay in the UK. For example, bank statements.
  • Proof of relationship – partner or children (if they are applying along with the main applicant).
  • Tuberculosis test results (if required).

The applicant must apply for a Service Supplier visa online.

Depending on the following circumstances, the applicant can apply from;

  • Outside the UK to come to the UK.
  • Inside the UK and extend the current visa.
  • Inside the UK and switch from a different visa.
  • The applicant can include a partner and children (under 18 years) in the application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
  • If the applicant wants to change the job or employer, it is required that the applicant applies to update the visa.

Yes, a Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK employer is a mandatory requirement for the applicant to apply for a Service Supplier visa.

This depends on the type of trade agreement of the services being provided by the applicant.
The applicant can stay for whichever is the shorter span:

  • 6 months or 12 months – this depends on the trade agreement provided for the services offered.
  • The time mentioned on the Certificate of Sponsorship, plus 14 days.

With a Service Supplier visa, the applicant can:

  • Work for their sponsor in the job described in the Certificate of Sponsorship.
  • Study.
  • Bring partner and children as ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
  • Do voluntary work.
  • Travel abroad and return to the UK.

The main applicant can be accompanied by a partner and children (under 18 years) to the UK on a UK Service Supplier visa.

The Service Supplier visa does not permit settlement in the UK.

Watch our video on ‘What must you know about the UK’s soon launching Global Business Mobility visas?’

In this video. Mr. Hemang Laaher – Lawyer and Partner in The SmartMove2UK, explains ‘What is Global Mobility Business Visa’ & ‘Existing Visa Routes’.

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