Secondment Worker Visa UK | Global Business Mobility
The Secondment Worker visa is a UK Global Business Mobility route for overseas employees being temporarily assigned to a UK organisation in connection with an eligible high-value contract. Hudson McKenzie advises UK sponsors, overseas businesses and international employees on Secondment Worker visa eligibility, sponsorship, Certificate of Sponsorship requirements and immigration compliance.
What is the UK Secondment Worker Visa?
The Secondment Worker visa allows an employee of an overseas business to work temporarily in the UK where their overseas employer has an eligible high-value contract with a UK organisation.
The route forms part of the UK's Global Business Mobility visa system and is designed for specific assignments connected to substantial contracts involving the provision of goods or investment.
The UK organisation receiving the worker must normally hold an appropriate Home Office sponsor licence and assign the employee a valid Certificate of Sponsorship under the Secondment Worker route.
Hudson McKenzie’s UK immigration lawyers advise businesses and international employees on whether the Secondment Worker route is appropriate, sponsor licence requirements, qualifying contracts, sponsorship and visa applications.
Secondment Worker Visa Requirements
Who Can Apply for a Secondment Worker Visa?
High-Value Contract Requirements
UK Sponsor Licence and Certificate of Sponsorship
Role, Salary and Genuine Employment Requirements
How Long Can a Secondment Worker Stay in the UK?
A Secondment Worker can normally remain in the UK for the shorter of:
- 12 months from the start date of the job stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
- the period stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days.
The visa may generally be extended for a further 12 months where the relevant requirements continue to be met. The maximum continuous period permitted on the Secondment Worker visa is normally two years.
Secondment Workers are also subject to the wider Global Business Mobility maximum-stay provisions. Time spent in the UK on specified Global Business Mobility routes may count towards an overall limit of five years in any six-year period.
Eligible partners and dependent children may also be able to accompany or join a Secondment Worker in the UK, subject to making separate applications and satisfying the relevant immigration requirements.
The Secondment Worker route is temporary and does not itself lead directly to indefinite leave to remain. Where a business or employee requires a longer-term UK employment arrangement, the Skilled Worker visa, Senior or Specialist Worker visa or another appropriate immigration route may need to be considered.
Hudson McKenzie’s UK immigration lawyers advise UK organisations, overseas businesses and international employees on Secondment Worker visa applications, Global Business Mobility sponsorship, sponsor licences and wider United Kingdom immigration requirements. We can assist businesses with assessing the appropriate immigration route, securing the required sponsorship permissions and managing ongoing Home Office compliance.
