This article explains the UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier route. It is for overseas service providers (employees and independent professionals) delivering a defined service to a UK business under an eligible international trade agreement. It covers eligibility, contracts and sponsorship, documents and timelines, conditions and costs, and common edge cases, with practical guidance for applicants and sponsors.
What this article is about
Helping overseas providers and UK clients decide if the Service Supplier route is the right fit, prepare compliant documentation, budget accurately, and avoid errors that cause refusals or sponsor compliance action.
Section A: Route overview & core eligibility
The Service Supplier route facilitates short, contract-based assignments where an overseas business (or self-employed professional overseas) provides services to a UK sponsor under a trade agreement. It is temporary, does not lead to settlement, and has tight scope and time limits.
1. Who can use this route
You can apply if you are either an employee of an overseas service provider or a self-employed independent professional established overseas, and you will deliver services in the UK covered by a valid international trade agreement to a UK-licensed sponsor. You must be doing an eligible job (or meet the qualifications route) and have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the UK sponsor.
2. Skill/qualification pathways
There are two ways to meet the skill requirement:
- Option A (occupation code): your role is in an eligible SOC 2020 occupation code for GBM.
- Option B (sector/qualification): you meet the sector-specific professional qualification or experience rules for services listed under the relevant trade agreement.
3. Overseas work requirement
Employees must have worked for their overseas employer for at least 12 months outside the UK. Independent professionals must have at least 12 months’ professional experience in the sector.
4. Duration caps
Permission is granted for the shorter of: (i) 6 or 12 months (depending on the trade agreement), or (ii) the CoS period plus 14 days. Across GBM routes combined, total time is capped at 5 years in any 6-year period. This route does not lead to settlement.
Section Summary
The route is narrow, contract-bound, and time-limited. Applicants must satisfy sponsorship, skill/sector, and 12-month overseas experience rules, with stay length controlled by the trade agreement and the 5-in-6 GBM cap.
Section B: Contracts, trade agreements & UK sponsorship
This section focuses on the contract between the overseas provider and the UK sponsor, how trade agreements constrain eligibility, and who can act as the UK sponsor.
1. The UK sponsor must be the service recipient
For the Service Supplier route, the UK sponsor is the UK business receiving the services. The overseas service provider must have a contract to supply services to that UK sponsor. Sub-contracting chains can be acceptable if the sponsor is the UK recipient identified under the rules. Agencies or intermediaries cannot sponsor unless they are themselves the party receiving the services under the relevant contract.
2. Trade agreement coverage and sector scope
Your service must fall under an eligible international trade agreement and within covered sectors. Sponsors and applicants should map the statement of work to the named sector and confirm any qualification or experience thresholds that apply. Not all sectors within a trade agreement are eligible; use the positive list and sector schedules to verify coverage.
3. Eligible jobs vs professional qualifications
Where you rely on Option A, the role must sit in an eligible occupation code listed for GBM routes. Where you rely on Option B, you must satisfy the agreement-specific professional qualification or experience standard for that sector or service. Document your mapping explicitly in the CoS description and contract schedules.
4. Regulated professions
If UK law requires registration or licensing (for example, in healthcare or other regulated activities), the worker must hold it or be appropriately exempt before starting. Sponsors must keep evidence and produce it on request.
5. Contract essentials
Ensure the contract identifies the parties (overseas provider and UK sponsor), scope of services, sector, locations, timetable, deliverables, and confirms the trade agreement basis. The contract should align with the CoS details (job description, SOC code or sectoral qualification pathway, locations, start date). The role must be genuine and necessary for the delivery of the contract, not created to facilitate immigration.
Section Summary
Eligibility rests on the right UK sponsor (end-client), the right sector under a trade agreement, and coherent documentation joining contract, CoS and skill/qualification pathway. Regulated roles require UK registration evidence.
Section C: Documents, application process & timelines
This section sets out the evidence you must prepare, the order of steps for applying, and the time limits that control when you can apply and when you can start work.
1. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) requirements
A valid CoS assigned by your UK sponsor is mandatory. It must match the contract details and be used within three months of assignment. The application can be submitted no earlier than three months before the job start date. If applying from within the UK, you must not have breached immigration conditions in your current or last grant of leave.
2. Core documents for all applicants
- Current passport or travel document showing identity and nationality
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Evidence of 12 months’ employment with the overseas employer (for employees) or 12 months’ professional experience (for independent professionals)
- Proof of meeting the skill/qualification requirement (degree certificate, professional licence, or evidence of experience)
- Evidence of personal savings to meet the financial maintenance requirement, unless sponsor certifies maintenance
- Proof of tuberculosis test, if required by your country of residence
- For regulated professions, proof of UK registration or licensing
3. Contract and trade agreement evidence
You may be asked to provide a copy of the contract between the overseas provider and the UK sponsor. This should clearly show the sector, scope of work, and that the services are covered by the applicable trade agreement. Sponsors should keep additional evidence of the overseas business’s operations and capacity to perform the contract.
4. Application submission and biometrics
Applications are submitted online. After payment, you will need to provide biometrics at a visa application centre or using the UK Immigration: ID Check app if eligible. Some applicants may be invited to an interview or asked for further evidence.
5. Processing times
Typical Home Office processing times are three weeks for applications made outside the UK and eight weeks for those made inside the UK. These may vary depending on caseload and whether additional checks are needed.
Section Summary
You must gather complete, coherent evidence tying your identity, skills, work history, contract, and trade agreement eligibility together. Timing rules on CoS validity and application windows are strict, and missing documents or mismatched details can cause refusal.
Section D: Costs, visa conditions & compliance
This section explains the current fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, the conditions placed on Service Supplier visa holders, and the compliance duties for both sponsors and workers.
1. Application fees and IHS
As of August 2025, the Home Office application fees are:
- £298 if applying from outside the UK
- £287 if applying from inside the UK
Some applicants may pay a reduced fee if the relevant trade agreement provides an exemption.
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is £1,035 per year unless exempt. It must be paid in full at the time of application.
2. Work restrictions
You may only work in the job described on your CoS for your sponsoring employer. You cannot take secondary employment except for certain permitted supplementary work (same sector, no more than 20 hours a week) and voluntary work. You cannot be self-sponsored under this route.
3. Other conditions
You cannot access public funds. You must not undertake any work that is not permitted under your visa conditions. You must leave the UK or apply to switch routes when your permission expires. This visa does not lead directly to settlement.
4. Sponsor compliance duties
UK sponsors must remain A-rated on the sponsor register, keep detailed records of the worker’s contact details, right to work, and professional registration where applicable. They must report to the Home Office if the worker is absent for more than 10 consecutive working days without permission, if the contract ends early, or if there are significant changes to the role or location.
5. Applicant compliance duties
Visa holders must comply with all conditions, keep their contact details updated with both the sponsor and the Home Office, and only work for their licensed sponsor in the role approved. Breaches can result in visa curtailment and refusal of future applications.
Section Summary
The Service Supplier visa carries specific costs and conditions. Both sponsor and worker must follow detailed compliance rules, with strict limits on work and reporting. Fees and IHS add to the cost of entry and must be budgeted for alongside contract and delivery commitments.
FAQs
The following questions address common issues for Service Supplier visa applicants and UK sponsors. They provide practical guidance and should be read alongside the Immigration Rules, sponsor guidance and the terms of the relevant trade agreement.
1. Is there an English language requirement?
No. The Service Supplier route does not have an English language requirement.
2. Can I be self‑sponsored by my own UK entity?
No. The UK sponsor must be the UK service recipient under the qualifying contract. You cannot self‑sponsor via your own UK company unless that company is genuinely the UK recipient of the services under the contract.
3. Can I take on additional paid work for another UK business?
No. Second jobs and supplementary work are not permitted on this route. Your permission is limited to the sponsored role for the named UK sponsor.
4. Can I switch into the Service Supplier route from inside the UK?
In many cases yes, provided you meet all eligibility requirements and you are not in a category that prohibits switching (for example visitor, short‑term student, Parent of a Child Student, seasonal worker, domestic worker in a private household, immigration bail, or leave outside the Rules). If you are in a prohibited category, you must apply from overseas.
5. Can I bring dependants?
Yes. Partners and children under 18 can apply as dependants if they meet the eligibility and maintenance requirements. Each dependant must submit a separate application and pay the relevant fees and Immigration Health Surcharge unless exempt.
6. What if my contract is extended but I am near the time cap?
You may extend your permission if you remain with the same sponsor and stay within the applicable maximum stay under the relevant trade agreement (usually 6 or, in some cases, 12 months) and within the Global Business Mobility aggregate cap of 5 years in any 6‑year period.
7. Do dependants have to meet maintenance separately?
Yes. Dependants must meet their own maintenance thresholds unless an exemption applies or the sponsor has certified maintenance on the main applicant’s CoS where permitted.
8. Are there special rules for regulated work?
Yes. Where UK law requires professional registration or licensing (for example in certain healthcare roles), the worker must hold the appropriate UK registration before starting work. The sponsor must keep and, if requested, provide evidence.
9. How long do decisions take?
Typical decision times are around three weeks for applications made outside the UK and around eight weeks for those made inside the UK. Priority services may be available for an additional fee, but availability can vary.
Conclusion
The Service Supplier visa is a specific immigration route within the Global Business Mobility framework designed to facilitate temporary service provision under international trade agreements. It offers a pathway for overseas contractual service suppliers and independent professionals to deliver agreed services in the UK, but its scope is narrow, time-limited, and highly regulated.
Success under this route depends on careful preparation. The service must fall squarely within an eligible trade agreement sector, the UK sponsor must be the genuine recipient of the services, and all contractual, occupational, and qualification requirements must be satisfied and evidenced. For sponsors, maintaining compliance with record-keeping and reporting duties is essential to protect their licence. For applicants, adherence to the conditions of stay and the strict prohibition on unsanctioned work is critical to maintaining lawful status.
While the Service Supplier visa does not lead to settlement, it enables businesses and professionals to fulfil cross-border contractual obligations legally and efficiently. Both sponsors and applicants should treat the compliance requirements as integral to the contract’s delivery, ensuring that immigration obligations are met alongside commercial objectives.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| UK sponsor | The UK business receiving the services and holding a Service Supplier sponsor licence. |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) | Online record assigned by the sponsor; must be used within 3 months to apply and cannot be used earlier than 3 months before the start date. |
| Eligible occupation (Option A) | A SOC 2020 occupation code listed for Global Business Mobility routes in the Home Office tables. |
| Sector/qualification route (Option B) | Meeting the sector-specific qualification and/or experience thresholds set under the relevant trade agreement schedules. |
| Financial requirement | Maintenance funds of £1,270 for 28 consecutive days unless exempt or the sponsor certifies maintenance. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | A charge payable for each year of permission to access the NHS (adult rate usually £1,035 per year unless exempt). |
| 5‑in‑6 cap | Maximum of 5 years’ total permission in any 6‑year period across GBM routes, including Service Supplier. |
| Regulated profession | A role requiring UK registration or licensing before lawful practice (e.g., certain healthcare professions); evidence must be held by the sponsor. |
| Trade agreement sector | The positive list of services in the applicable agreement under which the contract must fall to qualify for the route. |
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| DavidsonMorris – Service Supplier Visa Overview | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/service-supplier-visa/ |
| UK Government – Global Business Mobility routes sponsor guidance | https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sponsorship-information-for-employers-and-educators |
| UK Government – Immigration Rules: Global Business Mobility routes | https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/global-business-mobility-routes |
| UK Government – Visa fees | https://www.gov.uk/visa-fees |
| UK Government – Immigration Health Surcharge | https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application |
