UK Service Supplier Visa – Complete Guide 2025

The UK Service Supplier visa is a temporary immigration route that allows overseas workers and independent professionals to come to the UK to deliver services under an eligible international trade agreement. It sits within the Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes.

This guide explains what the visa is, who can apply, the requirements, costs, application process, and what it means for families. You will also find practical tips to avoid common mistakes and understand how this visa fits into wider UK immigration policy.

What is the UK Service Supplier Visa?

The Service Supplier visa is one of five routes under the Global Business Mobility framework, which replaced several older business and temporary work routes.

It is designed for two types of applicants:

• Contractual service suppliers – employees of an overseas business who need to deliver a service in the UK under a contract covered by a trade agreement.
• Independent professionals – self-employed individuals established overseas who have been contracted to provide services in the UK.

The service being delivered must fall within the scope of an eligible international trade agreement, such as the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) or the CARIFORUM UK Economic Partnership Agreement.

Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, the Service Supplier visa is temporary. It allows stays of 6 or 12 months per assignment, depending on the trade agreement, and does not lead directly to settlement in the UK.

For general guidance on UK immigration, you can also access Free Immigration Advice UK.

UK Service Supplier Visa Requirements

To qualify, both the worker and the UK business must meet strict eligibility criteria.

Worker requirements

Applicants must show that they are:

• Employed by an overseas service provider or are self-employed professionals established outside the UK.
• Working under a contract with a UK business, and the contract must be covered by a trade agreement recognised by the UK.
• Employed outside the UK for at least 12 months with their current employer, or if self-employed, able to show at least 12 months  professional activity in the same sector.
• Qualified or experienced in the service they provide. This usually means holding a bachelor’s degree or equivalent technical qualification plus three years’ professional experience (six years if self-employed). Some services such as entertainment or modelling do not require formal qualifications.

UK sponsor requirements

The UK business must:

• Hold a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office.
• Register the underlying service contract through the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
• Issue the applicant with a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) containing details of the role, start date, and confirmation of contract coverage.

These steps are essential because unregistered contracts or incorrect CoS details are among the top reasons for visa refusals.

Financial requirements

Applicants must show they can support themselves in the UK. The financial thresholds are:

• £1,270 for the main applicant.
• £285 for a partner.
• £315 for the first child.
• £200 for each additional child.

Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days, with the end date within 31 days of the application. A UK sponsor may certify maintenance on the CoS, removing the need for personal bank statements. For guidance on financial evidence, see our Financial Evidence for Student and Child Student Visa page the principles are similar for Service Supplier applicants.

Eligible jobs and service categories

The visa applies only to services covered by trade agreements. Examples include:

• Management consulting
• IT and technical testing
• Legal and accounting services
• Translation and advertising
• Chefs de cuisine (6 years’ experience required)
• Fashion models and entertainers (no formal qualifications needed)

Applicants must either fall under an eligible occupation code or demonstrate that they meet the qualification and experience requirements for the service category.

How to Apply for a UK Service Supplier Visa

The application process is carried out online via UKVI.

Step 1 – Gather documents

Typical documents include:

• Valid passport with a blank page.
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
• Proof of overseas employment or self-employment.
• Copy of the UK contract showing trade agreement coverage.
• Qualifications or professional certificates.
• Bank statements or sponsor maintenance confirmation.
• TB test results if required by UKVI.

Step 2 – Complete the online application

Applicants must:

• Apply within 3 months of receiving their CoS.
• Apply no earlier than 3 months before the job start date listed on the CoS.
• Complete the online application form and upload documents.

Step 3 – Pay fees and Immigration Health Surcharge

• Application fee: £319 per person.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per person, per year. Paying the IHS provides access to the NHS during the stay.

For faster processing, applicants can use the Priority or Super Priority Visa Services.

Step 4 – Provide biometrics

Applicants must provide fingerprints and a facial photograph either via the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre.

Step 5 – Wait for a decision

Processing times are:

• 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK.
• 8 weeks if applying from inside the UK.

Priority services may provide faster decisions:

• £500 for a 5-working-day decision.
• £1,000 for next-working-day super priority.

Can Family Members Join on a Service Supplier Visa?

Yes. Dependants can apply if they meet the relationship and financial rules. Eligible dependants include:

• A spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
• Children under 18.
• Children over 18 if already living in the UK as dependants.

Dependants must:

• Pay their own visa fee and IHS.
• Provide relationship documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate).
• Show proof of maintenance funds unless exempt.

Rights of dependants:

• They can work in the UK, except as professional sportspersons or coaches.
• They can study without restriction.
• They have access to healthcare via the IHS.

How Long Can You Stay in the UK on a Service Supplier Visa?

The visa is strictly temporary.

Assignment length and time limits

• 6 or 12 months per assignment, depending on the trade agreement.
• Overall cap of 5 years in any 6-year period across all GBM routes and predecessor Intra-Company Transfer visas.

Extending the visa

Extension is possible if:

• The applicant remains with the same sponsor and contract.
• They still meet eligibility criteria.
• They have not exceeded the overall 5 year cap.

Applications must be made before the current visa expires. Travelling outside the UK while the application is pending will result in withdrawal.

Switching to another visa

Applicants may switch to another route from inside the UK, provided they are not on a short-term visa such as a visitor visa. Common options include:

• Skilled Worker visa – provides a pathway to indefinite leave to remain.
• Innovator Founder visa – for those starting a business in the UK.
• Family visas – for applicants with qualifying partners or family in the UK.

The Service Supplier visa itself does not lead to settlement.

Common Reasons for Service Supplier Visa Refusals

Many applications are refused due to errors or misunderstandings. The most common reasons include:

• Contract not covered by a trade agreement – the Home Office will refuse if the service is not clearly listed in a valid trade agreement.
• Unregistered contract – if the UK sponsor fails to register the contract on the SMS, the CoS is invalid.
• Insufficient funds – failure to provide 28-day bank statements or incorrect evidence.
• Missing or inconsistent documents – discrepancies between the CoS, contract, and application documents.
• Job not matching eligible categories – the role must fall under an approved occupation or service category.

For help avoiding these issues, you can use our Immigration Documents Checking Service.

Ready to Apply? Contact Deluxe Law Chambers

Our team can assist UK sponsors and overseas service providers with every step of the Service Supplier visa process, from sponsor licence applications to Certificate of Sponsorship guidance and document checking.Call us on 0161 464 4140 or book an appointment online to get started.

UK Service Supplier Visa FAQs