Global Business Mobility: Service Supplier

Eligibility

Employee of an overseas service provider (12 months with employer, plus professional experience/qualifications) or self-employed (6 years’ experience) providing services covered by a UK trade agreement. Funds £1,270.

Key facts (checked 31 Oct 2026)

What you can and cannot do, how long you can stay (official)

How long you can stay

How long you can stay in the UK depends on the type of trade agreement you’re providing services under.

You can stay for whichever is the shorter of:

• 6 months or 12 months - this depends on the trade agreement you’re providing services under
• the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days

The maximum you can stay on a Service Supplier visa is 6 or 12 months depending on the type of trade agreement you’re providing services under.

If you’ve spent time in the UK on a Service Supplier visa or another visa before

You can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period if you’ve spent time on any of these visas:

• Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
• Intra-company Transfer visa
• Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
• UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

What you can and cannot do

You can:

• work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
• study
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• do voluntary work

Any voluntary work you do must be unpaid and for one of the following:

• a registered charity
• a voluntary organisation
• an associated fundraising body (an organisation that raises money for a charity or voluntary organisation)
• a statutory body (a government-appointed body, for example Historic England)

You cannot:

• apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
• change jobs unless you update your visa
• apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’)
• do a second job

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Service Supplier visa.

Source: GOV.UK – Overview

Full eligibility criteria (official)

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Service Supplier visa, you must:

• 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 you have relevant qualifications and professional experience
• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your UK sponsor with information about the work you’ll be doing in the UK
• have worked for your employer for at least 12 months outside the UK, or have at least 12 months’ professional experience if you’re a self-employed service provider

You must also have worked for at least 12 months either:

• for your current employer outside the UK
• immediately before you apply and in the same sector as the service you will provide, if you’re self-employed

Check if your job is eligible

Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. You can get this from your employer or your certificate of sponsorship.

When you know your occupation code, check the table of eligible jobs to see if it’s eligible for your visa type.

If your job is not eligible

If you do not have an eligible occupation code, you may still be able to apply for a Service Supplier visa if you have relevant qualifications and experience.

You will normally need one of the following qualifications:

• a bachelor’s degree or higher in any subject
• a technical qualification that’s equivalent to a bachelor’s degree

You’ll also need:

• 3 years’ professional experience relevant to the service you provide if you’re an overseas employee
• 6 years’ professional experience if you’re self-employed

Some services have different experience and qualifications requirements:

If you’re not providing services in one of these areas, you might still be eligible if you have at least a bachelor’s degree (in any subject) or equivalent technical qualifications.

Ask your UK sponsor if you’re not sure if your qualifications are eligible.

Work covered by a valid trade agreement

Your work in the UK must be covered by a valid trade agreement. Check with your UK sponsor what trade agreement your work is covered by and if it’s valid.

Approved UK sponsors

You must have an approved UK sponsor before you apply for a Service Supplier visa.

View the list of approved UK sponsors.

Getting a certificate of sponsorship

Your UK sponsor will give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ with information about the work you’ll be doing in the UK. It’s an electronic record, not a paper document.

You’ll need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.

Source: GOV.UK – Eligibility (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Documents checklist (official)

Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

• your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer or sponsor in the UK will give you this
• a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
• your job title and your job’s occupation code
• the name of your sponsor and their sponsor licence number - this will be on your certificate of sponsorship
• evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your sponsor can support you)
• proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you
• your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country

Ask your sponsor for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one.

Other documents you might need

Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide:

• evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK
• a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher
• proof of your degree or qualifications

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

Evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK

After you apply you might be asked to show that you have:

• worked for your overseas employer outside the UK for 12 months
• been doing relevant work for the 12 months immediately before you apply if you’re self-employed

If you’re an overseas employee, you’ll need to show you’ve been paid by your employer over this time period. You can provide:

• printed payslips
• online payslips supported by a letter from your sponsor signed by a senior staff member
• bank or building society statements
• a building society pass book

If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to show evidence of work you’ve done over this time period. You can provide:

• invoices for work you’ve done
• copies of your business accounts
• an accountant’s letter confirming the activity of the business and its profits
• leases on business premises
• adverts or marketing material for the business
• business or personal bank statements to prove the income of the business

Source: GOV.UK – Documents you'll need to apply (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How to apply, step by step (official)

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a Service Supplier visa.

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

Proving your identity

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

• you’ll need to take your passport with you to the visa application centre (you’ll be able to collect it on the day)
• you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)

Apply for a Service Supplier visa

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

Continue your application

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Source: GOV.UK – Apply from outside the UK (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Partner and children (official)

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
• your child over 18 if they currently have permission (‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’) to be in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship to your dependant when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove one of the following:

• you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
• you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
• you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture

If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:

• communicate regularly with each other
• support each other financially
• care for any children you have together
• spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events

Your child

They must:

• live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
• not be married or in a civil partnership

You’ll need to provide evidence of their address, such as:

• a bank statement
• credit card bills
• driving licence
• NHS registration document
• an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Example

You - or your partner or child - would need to have £600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (£285 for your partner and £315 for your child). You would also need to have £1,270 to support yourself for your own application.

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

• you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
• your sponsor can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

• apply online as your partner
• apply online as your child

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

They’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity from outside the UK

As part of an application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.

They’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

If they need an appointment:

• they’ll need to take their passport with them to the visa application centre (they’ll be able to collect it on the day)
• they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country)

Getting a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

If their application is successful, their decision email will tell them what they’ll get to prove their immigration status and what they need to do next.

Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa)

If you extend or switch your visa, your partner or child’s current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to extend or switch their visa, either:

• at the same time as you
• at any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK:

Source: GOV.UK – Your partner and children (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Extending, switching and changing job (official)

Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your Service Supplier visa if:

• you’re still contracted to work for the sponsor who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
• you have not reached the maximum total stay
• your job, qualifications and experience still meet the eligibility requirements

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

You must be in the UK to extend your visa.

If your job changes

You’ll need to apply to update your visa instead.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

Providing your biometric information and supporting documents

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

Apply to extend your Service Supplier visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Source: GOV.UK – Extend your visa (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Update your visa if your job changes

You’ll need to apply to update your Service Supplier visa if your job changes to a different occupation code. You must still be contracted to work for the sponsor who issued your current certificate of sponsorship.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. There’s no fee for this.

Eligibility and documents you’ll need to apply

Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship.

You’ll only need to provide other evidence again if you’ve been in the UK for less than one year.

When to apply to update your visa

You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.

You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered - as long as you apply before your current visa expires.

You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You’ll be told how to do this when you apply. You’ll also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to.

Apply to update your Service Supplier visa

You must apply online.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Source: GOV.UK – Update your visa if your job changes (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Switch to this visa

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Service Supplier visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements.

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Switching from a Student visa

If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must meet the eligibility requirements and one of the following must apply:

• you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
• your job start date is after your course has finished
• you’re studying for a PhD full time, and have been for at least 24 months

Who cannot apply to switch

You cannot apply to switch to a Service Supplier visa if you’re 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, for example on compassionate grounds

You must leave the UK and apply for a Service Supplier visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.

Fees

Check how much it costs.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to switch to a Service Supplier visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Source: GOV.UK – Switch to this visa (checked 31 Oct 2026)

Processing times and faster decisions (official)

Standard: Usually 3 weeks (GOV.UK visa processing times).

• Priority service: +£500, usually a decision within 5 working days (settlement, citizenship and family-from-outside-UK: usually 30 working days).
• Super priority service: +£1,000, usually a decision by the end of the next working day after you prove your identity. Not available for citizenship.
• Availability depends on the route, the country and whether you use a UKVCAS centre or the ID Check app; there is a daily limit. You are told at the point of applying whether it is offered.

Source: GOV.UK – Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application (checked 31 Oct 2026)

How the application works (official)

1. Check eligibility and gather documents (sections above). Sponsored routes: get your CoS/CAS reference first; endorsed routes: get your endorsement first.
2. Apply online on GOV.UK and pay the fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (if it applies) – IHS.
3. Prove your identity: either the UK Immigration: ID Check app (if offered) or an appointment at a visa application centre (outside the UK) or UKVCAS service point (inside the UK) for fingerprints and photo.
4. Upload documents and wait for the decision. Do not travel or leave the UK before a decision if applying from inside the UK – it can withdraw your application.
5. Your permission is issued as an eVisa in your UKVI account; physical BRPs are no longer issued. Link your passport to it and use share codes to prove your rights – GOV.UK eVisas.

Path to settlement (ILR) and citizenship

Does not lead to settlement.

Citizenship normally needs ILR (or settled status) held for 12 months – or immediately if married to a British citizen – plus the residence, absences, good character, Life in the UK test (£50) and English B1 requirements. See GOV.UK – Settle in the UK and GOV.UK – Citizenship if you have ILR.