Secondment Worker Visa: Your Guide to Working in the UK Temporarily

If you're looking for a way to work in the UK temporarily as part of an international company's expansion, the Secondment Worker Visa offers you a flexible and strategic pathway to do so. 

This visa is part of the UK's Global Business Mobility (GBM) route, designed for overseas workers who are seconded to the UK by their employer to fulfill specific contractual obligations. Whether you're an employee or employer looking to bring overseas workers to the UK, understanding this visa can streamline your temporary workforce planning. In this guide, we give an overview of the Secondment Worker Visa, including its eligibility criteria, application process, what you can and cannot do with the visa in the UK, and more.

What Is a Secondment Worker Visa?

Overseas businesses use the Secondment Worker Visa to assign their employees to UK branches or partner companies temporarily. The visa is a part of the UK's Global Business Mobility (GBM) route. It assists international companies seeking to work together on significant investments or projects in the UK. 

Moreover, the Secondment Worker Visa facilitates easier coordination, training, and knowledge sharing among enterprises in the UK and overseas. This visa is initially valid for 12 months, and you can apply to extend it for an additional 12 months before it expires. This makes the total period you can stay in the UK on a Secondment Worker Visa 2 years.

With the Secondment Worker Visa, you cannot settle in the UK. However, before it expires, you can switch to another eligible UK visa type that does (such as Skilled Worker Visa, Global Talent Visa, and Innovator Founder Visa), as long as you meet the requirements. Employees can bring their dependents (their partner and children under 18 or over 18 years of age who are already in the UK as dependents) to the UK.

Who Is Eligible for a Secondment Worker Visa?

To be eligible for a Secondment Worker Visa, the criteria you must meet include the following:

• You must be 18 years or over.

• An overseas company must currently employ you, and you must have worked with them for at least 12 months.

• The UK business must have a minimum of £50 million in qualifying contracts with your employer.

• You must obtain a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer, which should specify your role, reference number, and the nature of the secondment.

• Evidence that your expected job is genuine.

• Your job must be one of the approved occupations for the Secondment Worker route.

• You must present your Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate.

How to Apply for a Secondment Worker Visa

As an overseas worker intending to join a UK-based company, you must be issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) not more than 3 months before you apply for your visa. The following are the specific steps you can take to apply for a UK Secondment Worker Visa:

• Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the UK employer.

• Using your CoS reference number, apply online for the Secondment Worker Visa through the UK government website.

• Gather necessary documents for your visa application, including:

  • A valid passport or travel document.

  • Your national passport.

  • Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

  • Tuberculosis (TB) test certificate.

• Submit your scanned copies of your fingerprints and photograph.

• Pay the relevant application fees.

• Wait for your application to be processed.

• Expect a decision on your application within 3 weeks if you're applying from outside the UK. Or 8 weeks if you're switching to or renewing the Secondment Worker Visa from within the UK.

Secondment Worker Visa Responsibilities

You and your employer must perform certain responsibilities to obtain and maintain the Secondment Worker Visa:

Employee Responsibilities

As an employee seeking to join a UK-based employer, you must fulfill certain duties in obtaining a Secondment Worker Visa, including:

• Meet all the qualifying criteria and have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

• Comply with UK immigration laws and leave the UK before your Secondment Worker Visa expires, unless you intend to switch to an eligible visa within the UK.

• Inform the Home Office and your sponsor of any changes in your circumstances, including contact or employer details.

• Perform the authorised job only for the sponsoring employer.

Employer Responsibilities

Your employer (UK-based sponsor) must perform specific duties in sponsoring you to enter the UK through the Secondment Worker Visa, including:

• Hold a contract with an overseas employer that is valued at £50 million and registered with the Home Office.

• Obtain a sponsor licence under the Global Business Mobility (GMB) Secondment Worker category.

• Issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) specifying your job contract details, reference number, and other relevant information.

• Establish and maintain HR systems to record and monitor employee information.

• Report to the Home Office if your circumstances change, such as terminating your contract or absences.

Permitted Activities in the UK with a Secondment Worker Visa

The Secondment Worker Visa comes with various permissions and restrictions. The following includes what you can and cannot do with a Secondment Worker Visa in the UK:

What You Can Do

• Work in your sponsored job role under the terms of the contract.

• Study part-time or attend training, subject to conditions.

• Engage in unpaid voluntary work.

• Bring eligible dependents.

• Travel abroad while the visa is valid.

What You Cannot Do

• Consider changing to a different employer or taking on a new job.

• Seek to remain in the UK indefinitely under this visa category.

• Access public funds or state pensions.

Final Thoughts

The Secondment Worker Visa can be an ideal choice for international companies seeking to temporarily assign their employees to the UK for specific high-value agreements or contracts. It provides a legal and structured pathway for mobility while supporting bilateral trade and collaboration. Employees and their sponsors must understand the eligibility criteria, application process, responsibilities, and limitations of the Secondment Worker Visa to use it fully. With proper planning and legal support from a professional immigration lawyer, this visa can help companies expand their global workforce reach and enable employees to gain international work experience and build their professional network.