UK Service Supplier Visa - Global Business Mobility Visa
UK Service Supplier Visa: Part of the Global Business Mobility Visa
The UK Service Supplier Visa is part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route, allowing overseas service providers to temporarily work in the UK under a contract covered by an international trade agreement. This visa is designed for self-employed professionals and employees of overseas businesses who provide services to a UK company.
What is the UK Service Supplier Visa?
The UK Service Supplier Visa allows skilled workers to deliver services in the UK under a contract that falls under a valid international trade agreement between the UK and another country.
This visa is available to:
- Employees of overseas businesses that have service contracts with UK companies.
- Self-employed professionals who provide contracted services in the UK.
It is a temporary work visa and does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, visa holders may be able to switch to a different visa category if eligible, such as the UK Skilled Worker visa.
Who Can Apply for a UK Service Supplier Visa?
To be eligible for the UK Service Supplier Visa, you must:
- Be an employee of an overseas business or a self-employed professional.
- Be providing services to a UK company under a valid international trade agreement.
- Have worked for your overseas employer for at least 12 months OR
- If self-employed, have at least 12 months of experience in the relevant sector.
- Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK employer that is a Home Office licensed sponsor.
- Meet the skill and salary requirements.
Eligible Trade Agreements for the UK Service Supplier Visa
Your contract with the UK company must fall under one of the following international trade agreements:
- General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
- UK-European Union Trade and Cooperation Agreement
- UK-Switzerland Mobility Agreement
- Bilateral trade agreements with Canada, Japan, South Korea, and other countries
Salary and Skill Requirements for the UK Service Supplier Visa
Skill Level Requirement
Your job must be at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above unless your role is exempt under a trade agreement.
Minimum Salary Requirement
Your salary must meet the UK ‘going rate’ for your role, as outlined in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
Some trade agreements allow exemptions from the standard salary and skill level rules, so requirements may vary.
How Long Can You Stay in the UK on a UK Service Supplier Visa?
The maximum stay depends on your country’s trade agreement:
- Up to 6 months in any 12 months if the contract falls under GATS or other WTO rules.
- Up to 12 months in any 24 months for most other agreements.
After reaching the maximum stay, you must leave the UK or apply for a different visa if eligible.
What You Can and Cannot Do on a UK Service Supplier Visa
You can:
- Work in the UK for the UK company named on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Take on voluntary work.
- Travel in and out of the UK during your visa period.
You cannot:
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
- Take on permanent employment with a UK company.
- Work outside your sponsoring employer’s contract.
- Access public funds or benefits.
Sponsorship and Employer Requirements
Your UK employer must:
- Hold a valid Home Office Sponsor Licence under the Service Supplier route.
- Assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) before you apply.
- Ensure that your contract aligns with an eligible trade agreement.
The UK employer is responsible for reporting compliance issues and ensuring that you only work in the role described in your CoS.
Required Documents for a UK Service Supplier Visa
To apply a Serice Supplier visa, you must provide:
- A valid passport (with at least one blank page).
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from your UK employer.
- Proof of employment with your overseas company for at least 12 months OR
- If self-employed, evidence of at least 12 months of experience in the sector.
- Details of the contract between the UK and overseas company (provided by your sponsor).
- Proof of qualifications, if required.
- Financial evidence, if necessary.
If you are from a country where tuberculosis (TB) testing is required, you must also provide a TB test certificate if your visa will be valid for more than six months.
How to Apply for a UK Service Supplier Visa
Step 1: Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
Your UK sponsor must issue a CoS before you apply.
Step 2: Check if You Can Use the UK Immigration: ID Check App
Some applicants do not need to attend a visa application centre and can verify their identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
You can use the app if:
- You are applying from outside the UK.
- You hold a biometric passport from an eligible country.
If eligible, you will be prompted to use the app during the online application process.
Step 3: Apply Online
- Complete your application through the official UK government website.
- Pay the visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Step 4: Verify Your Identity
If you cannot use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, you must book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to:
- Provide fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information).
- Submit any additional required documents.
Step 5: Await a Decision
- Standard processing time: 3 weeks.
- Priority processing (optional): 5 working days for an extra £500.
Once approved, you will receive:
- A digital status if you used the ID Check app.
- A visa vignette in your passport if you applied via a VAC.
UK Service Supplier Visa Fees and Costs
Visa Application Fee:
- £298
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):
- £1,035 per year
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Fee:
- Paid by the UK employer (£239 per worker)
The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) does not apply to this visa.
How Immtell Can Help
Applying for a UK Service Supplier Visa requires careful preparation to ensure compliance with Home Office requirements. Immtell provides expert support to help:
- UK businesses secure a Service Supplier Sponsor Licence.
- Service providers complete their visa application accurately.
- Ensure contracts meet Home Office eligibility requirements.
- Assist with visa compliance and extension advice.
Deliver Services in the UK with Confidence
Get expert guidance for your UK Service Supplier Visa application and ensure a straightforward process for you and your sponsoring business.
Get expert guidance for your UK Service Supplier Visa application and ensure a straightforward process for you and your sponsoring business.
Further Reading
Guide to Successfully Obtaining a UK Work Visa in 2025
How to Obtain a Work Visa for the UK in 2025
UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa - Global Business Mobility Visa
UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa - Previosully the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa
What is the Skilled Worker Visa in the UK?
Your Guide to the Skilled Worker Visa in the UK: Meeting Eligibility and Navigating Compliance
How to Get a Skilled Worker Visa UK
Updated Guide to Getting a Skilled Worker Visa for the UK (2025)
