Domestic Worker Visa UK Guide

The UK Domestic Worker visa allows overseas nationals employed in private households to travel to the UK with their employer and work for them for a short period. It is designed for individuals who provide personal services in the home, such as nannies, carers, chauffeurs, cooks, housekeepers, and other household staff. The visa ensures that these workers can accompany their employer while visiting the UK, while also safeguarding their employment rights during their stay.

What this article is about: This guide explains the UK Domestic Worker visa in detail, covering who can apply, the eligibility requirements, how to make an application, the rights and restrictions attached to the visa, and the obligations that employers must follow when bringing domestic workers to the UK. We will also address common questions about the visa to help both workers and employers understand their responsibilities under UK law.

Section A: Understanding the Domestic Worker Visa

The Domestic Worker visa exists to allow employers who are visiting the UK to bring their trusted household staff with them for the duration of their trip. This visa type recognises that in some cultures and households, domestic staff form a long-standing part of the family’s day-to-day life, and their presence may be essential when travelling abroad. However, it is also a tightly controlled visa route with strict eligibility criteria and time limits.

Since changes to the Immigration Rules in April 2012, the Domestic Worker visa has been significantly more restricted than in the past. Before these changes, domestic workers could apply to settle in the UK after a qualifying period, but this is no longer possible under the current rules. Today, the visa is strictly temporary, with a maximum validity of six months and no route to permanent residence.

1. What is the Domestic Worker Visa?

The Domestic Worker visa is a short-term visa that enables an overseas domestic worker to enter the UK accompanying their employer. It is specifically for workers employed in a private household, not for commercial or business premises. The visa covers roles such as:

• Nannies and child carers.
• Private carers for elderly or disabled family members.
• Cooks.
• Housekeepers.
• Chauffeurs.
• Other staff whose duties are exclusively within the employer’s household.

The visa is issued for a maximum of six months, matching the duration of the employer’s visit to the UK. The worker must leave the UK at the same time as the employer and cannot remain beyond the visa expiry date.

2. Who Can Apply?

To qualify, the worker must already be employed by the employer outside the UK. The rules require that the worker has been employed by the same employer for at least 12 months before the date of application. This ensures that the relationship is genuine and ongoing, rather than arranged solely for the purpose of entering the UK.

The employer must be a private household who is visiting the UK — such as a family returning temporarily to a UK home or a household travelling for business or leisure. The visa cannot be used for employment in hotels, care homes, or any other commercial setting.

3. Key Restrictions

While the visa does allow the worker to carry out their usual duties in the UK, it comes with several important restrictions:

• Length of stay: Maximum six months, with extensions possible only in very limited compassionate circumstances (e.g., serious illness or hospitalisation of the employer) and never exceeding six months in total from entry.
• No switching: The visa holder cannot change into another visa category from within the UK.
• No settlement route: There is no path to Indefinite Leave to Remain under this visa.
• No other employment: The worker can only work for the employer who brought them to the UK and must perform only the duties agreed in their employment contract.

Section Summary: The Domestic Worker visa is a highly restricted immigration route designed to allow trusted household staff to accompany their employer to the UK for a short visit. While it offers a practical solution for employers who rely on domestic staff, it is not a long-term work route, and workers must leave the UK with their employer at the end of the visit. Both parties should understand these limits before applying to ensure compliance with UK immigration law.

Section B: Eligibility Requirements

The Domestic Worker visa has strict eligibility criteria designed to ensure that only genuine, long-standing employment relationships qualify. These rules apply both to the worker and to the employer, and all requirements must be met for a successful application.

1. Applicant Requirements

The worker applying for a Domestic Worker visa must meet the following criteria:

• Age: The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date they plan to travel to the UK.
• Employment history: They must have been employed by the same employer for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before the application.
• Nature of duties: The work must involve providing personal services within a private household, such as childcare, housekeeping, cooking, driving, or caring for a family member.
• Intention to leave: The worker must intend to leave the UK at the end of the visa period, with no intention to settle or remain long-term.

2. Employer Requirements

The employer must meet several conditions to bring a domestic worker to the UK:

• Private household status: The employer must be a private individual or family, not a business or corporate entity.
• Visiting the UK: The employer must be travelling to the UK for a short visit, not relocating permanently. This can include leisure, business, or a temporary stay at a UK property.
• Existing relationship: The employer must have employed the worker for at least 12 months before the application and continue to employ them while in the UK.
• Financial arrangements: The employer must be able to support and accommodate the worker without recourse to public funds and must guarantee payment in line with UK employment law.

3. Financial & Relationship Evidence

The application must be supported by evidence showing that the employment relationship is genuine and ongoing. This typically includes:

• Employment contract: A signed contract that meets UK requirements, setting out pay, duties, hours, accommodation, and holiday entitlement.
• Payslips and bank statements: Documents confirming regular payment for at least the past 12 months.
• Employer’s travel plans: Evidence that the employer will be visiting the UK, such as flight bookings or a letter confirming their intended stay.
• Proof of accommodation: Details of where the worker will live during the visit, which must be with the employer or in accommodation provided by the employer.

Section Summary: Both the domestic worker and the employer must satisfy strict eligibility requirements before the visa will be granted. For the worker, this means being over 18, working in a qualifying role, and having been employed by the same employer for at least a year. For the employer, it means being a genuine private household visiting the UK, maintaining the employment relationship, and meeting all financial obligations. Accurate and consistent documentation is key to a successful application.

Section C: Application Process

Applying for a UK Domestic Worker visa is a structured process that must be completed before travelling to the UK. Applications cannot be made from inside the UK, and the worker must receive their visa decision before entering the country.

1. How to Apply

The application is made online via the UK Government’s visa application portal. The worker should:

• Complete the online application form for the Domestic Worker visa.
• Pay the application fee.
• Book and attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) in their country of residence to provide fingerprints and a photograph.
• Submit all required supporting documents.

The worker must apply outside the UK and should only do so when their travel plans with the employer are confirmed. The application should be made well in advance to allow for processing time and any additional checks.

2. Supporting Documents

To prove eligibility, the worker will need to provide:

• Valid passport or travel document with at least one blank page.
• Signed employment contract that complies with UK requirements, specifying pay, duties, hours, accommodation, and holidays.
• Evidence of employment history with the employer for at least 12 months (such as payslips, bank statements, tax records).
• Employer’s travel plans (flight bookings, hotel confirmations, or details of temporary UK residence).
• Proof of accommodation for the worker in the UK.
• Evidence of pay arrangements showing that the worker will be paid at least the UK National Minimum Wage.

All documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.

3. Visa Fees & Processing Time

• Application fee: £637 (correct as of February 2025 — always check GOV.UK for updates before applying).
• Processing time: Standard processing is usually around three weeks from attending the biometric appointment, though delays can occur. Priority services are not available in all countries, so applicants should check the VAC’s local guidance before applying.

It is important to plan the application so that the visa is granted shortly before the intended travel date, as it will have a fixed validity period starting from the date of issue.

Section Summary: The Domestic Worker visa application must be made online from outside the UK, supported by evidence of a genuine long-term employment relationship and the employer’s planned visit. The process involves completing the application form, paying the fee, providing biometrics, and submitting comprehensive documentation. Timely preparation is crucial to avoid travel delays and ensure all requirements are met.

Section D: Rights & Restrictions in the UK

Holders of the Domestic Worker visa have specific rights while in the UK, balanced by strict restrictions that must be followed at all times. These conditions are in place to protect the worker from exploitation and ensure the visa route is not used for purposes beyond its original intention.

1. Work Rights

While in the UK on a Domestic Worker visa, the holder is entitled to:

• Carry out their agreed duties in the employer’s private household, as set out in their employment contract.
• Be paid at least the UK National Minimum Wage for all hours worked.
• Receive paid holiday and rest breaks in line with UK employment law.
• Work in safe conditions that meet UK health and safety standards.

Although the worker is employed by a non-UK employer, UK employment law applies while they are in the UK. In some cases, workers may need to bring claims to a UK Employment Tribunal while still in the country to enforce these rights.

2. Prohibited Activities

The visa comes with several strict limitations, including:

• No other employment: The worker cannot take a second job or work for another household or business while in the UK.
• No public funds: The worker cannot claim benefits or public money from the UK government.
• No switching visa categories: They cannot change to another visa route from within the UK.
• No settlement: The visa does not provide a route to Indefinite Leave to Remain, regardless of how long the worker has been employed.

Any breach of these conditions could lead to the visa being curtailed and could harm future UK immigration applications.

3. Rights Protection

The UK takes the protection of domestic workers seriously, particularly in cases of exploitation or mistreatment. Workers have the right to:

• Report mistreatment to the police, UKVI, or the Modern Slavery Helpline.
• Leave an abusive employer and seek help from UK authorities.
• Access legal support and advice from employment rights organisations and charities.

UK Border Force officers may interview domestic workers on arrival to assess whether there is any risk of trafficking or exploitation. Where a worker leaves an employer due to abuse, they may be referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for victims of modern slavery. However, unless a separate immigration status is granted, they must still leave the UK when their visa expires.

Section Summary: The Domestic Worker visa provides important employment rights while in the UK, ensuring fair pay, safe working conditions, and legal protection from exploitation. However, these rights are paired with strict restrictions: the worker may only work for their named employer, cannot access public funds, and cannot remain beyond six months. Both worker and employer must understand and respect these rules to stay compliant with UK immigration law.

Section E: Employer Obligations

Employers bringing a domestic worker to the UK under this visa category have a number of legal responsibilities. These obligations are designed to protect the worker’s rights, ensure fair treatment, and maintain compliance with UK immigration and employment laws.

1. Employment Contract Requirements

Before applying for the visa, the employer must provide the worker with a written employment contract that meets UK requirements. The contract must be signed by both parties and should clearly set out:

• Duties and responsibilities of the worker.
• Hours of work and rest periods.
• Rate of pay (at least the UK National Minimum Wage).
• Accommodation arrangements (if provided).
• Holiday entitlement in line with UK statutory requirements.
• Notice periods for termination by either party.

This contract will form part of the visa application and will be scrutinised by UKVI to ensure it complies with UK employment law.

2. Right to Work Checks

Although the worker will be employed by a non-UK employer, the employer must still carry out right to work checks before the worker begins their duties in the UK. This involves:

• Checking the worker’s visa and passport to confirm that they are permitted to work for the employer in the UK.
• Keeping a copy of these documents for the employer’s records.
• Ensuring that the worker only carries out the work described in the visa application and employment contract.

Failure to carry out these checks could result in penalties or allegations of illegal working.

3. Compliance & Penalties

The employer is responsible for ensuring that the worker is treated fairly and within the law. Key compliance points include:

• Paying at least the National Minimum Wage for all hours worked.
• Providing a safe working environment in line with UK health and safety rules.
• Respecting working time regulations, including rest breaks and paid holiday entitlement.
• Not withholding the worker’s passport or ID documents, which is an offence under the Identity Documents Act 2010 and may also constitute a modern slavery offence.

Employers who fail to meet these obligations can face serious legal consequences, including fines, civil penalties, and potential criminal prosecution in cases of exploitation or modern slavery.

Section Summary: Employers have a duty to provide domestic workers with a fair, lawful employment arrangement that complies with both UK immigration and employment laws. This includes supplying a compliant contract, carrying out right to work checks, paying the correct wages, and ensuring a safe and respectful working environment. Breaching these obligations not only risks penalties but also damages the employer’s immigration credibility.

FAQs

1. Can I extend my Domestic Worker visa in the UK?
Generally, no. The Domestic Worker visa is granted for a maximum of six months, and extensions are only possible in very limited compassionate circumstances, such as if the employer’s stay is unexpectedly extended due to illness or hospitalisation.

2. Can my family join me on a Domestic Worker visa?
No. Dependants, including spouses and children, cannot accompany or join a Domestic Worker visa holder in the UK.

3. What happens if I leave my employer while in the UK?
If you leave your employer before your visa expires, you must notify UKVI and arrange to leave the UK. You may be able to seek help from UK authorities if you have left due to mistreatment.

4. Can I change employers in the UK?
No. You are only permitted to work for the employer named in your visa application.

5. What are my rights if I’m mistreated in the UK?
You are protected under UK employment law and can report mistreatment to the police, the Modern Slavery Helpline, or an employment rights organisation. If you are a victim of exploitation, you may be referred to the National Referral Mechanism.

Conclusion

The Domestic Worker visa provides a means for overseas household staff to accompany their employer to the UK for a short visit while maintaining their employment rights and legal protections. However, it is a tightly regulated route with strict eligibility criteria, a maximum six-month stay, and no pathway to settlement.

For workers, understanding your rights and the limits of the visa is essential to avoiding immigration breaches and ensuring fair treatment. For employers, compliance with both immigration and employment law is critical to avoid legal consequences and to maintain credibility with UK authorities. By following the correct application process, supplying accurate documentation, and respecting the rights of the worker, this visa route can operate effectively for both parties.

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Gill Laing

Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law. Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing & Content Agency for the Professional Services Sector.

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