Visa Professionals

Service Supplier Visa

Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa

Overview

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) – Service Supplier route allows overseas workers to come to the UK on a temporary basis to provide services under a qualifying international trade agreement.

This route is designed for businesses that require specialist personnel from an overseas service provider to fulfil a contract for services in the UK. Unlike the Skilled Worker route, the Service Supplier route is intended for temporary assignments and does not lead to settlement in the UK.

One of the main advantages of this route is that there is no English language requirement and no Immigration Skills Charge payable by the sponsor.

When can this route be used?

The Service Supplier route may be suitable where:

  • A UK company receives services from an overseas business.
  • There is a genuine contract for services between the UK business and the overseas service provider.
  • The overseas worker remains employed by the overseas business.
  • The worker is temporarily assigned to the UK to deliver services under that contract.

Example

An overseas engineering company enters into a service agreement with a UK company to provide specialist personnel for a project in the UK.

The workers remain employed by the overseas company and are temporarily assigned to the UK to provide services under the contract.

In these circumstances, the Service Supplier route may be available, subject to the specific requirements being met.

Adding the Service Supplier Route to an Existing Sponsor Licence

If a business already holds a sponsor licence, it must apply to add the Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier category before Certificates of Sponsorship can be assigned under this route.

The Home Office will normally require evidence that:

  • The business is established and operating lawfully in the UK.
  • There is a genuine requirement for overseas workers to provide services in the UK.
  • A qualifying contract for services exists between the UK entity and the overseas service provider.
  • Appropriate HR and compliance systems are in place to meet sponsor duties.

The Home Office may request supporting documentation relating to:

  • The company structure.
  • Service agreements.
  • Contractual arrangements between the UK and overseas entities.
  • The nature of the services being provided.
  • The relationship between the parties involved.

Requirements for the Overseas Worker

To qualify for a Service Supplier visa, the applicant must generally:

  • Be employed by an overseas service provider, or be a self-employed overseas service provider.
  • Have worked for the overseas business for at least 12 months before the application, unless an exemption applies under the relevant trade agreement.
  • Be assigned to provide services covered by a qualifying contract.
  • Be sponsored by a UK organisation holding the relevant sponsor licence category.
  • Be undertaking work in an eligible occupation.
  • Meet the financial requirements of the route, unless maintenance is certified by the sponsor.

Service Contract Requirements

The contract is one of the most important elements of the application.

There must be a genuine contract for services between:

  • The UK recipient of the services; and
  • The overseas service provider.

The contract should clearly identify:

  • The parties to the agreement.
  • The services being provided.
  • The duration of the arrangement.
  • The personnel required to deliver the services.
  • The commercial relationship between the parties.

The worker must be coming to the UK specifically to fulfil obligations under that contract.

The route is generally intended for situations where an overseas business is providing services to a UK business. It is not designed for workers who are effectively being recruited directly into permanent roles with the UK organisation.

Advantages of the Service Supplier Route

  • No English language requirement.
  • No Immigration Skills Charge.
  • Lower overall immigration costs than the Skilled Worker route.
  • Suitable for temporary project-based assignments.
  • Allows specialist overseas personnel to provide services in the UK while remaining employed overseas.

Limitations of the Route

  • Does not lead to settlement in the UK.
  • Temporary route only.
  • Strict eligibility requirements.
  • Requires a qualifying international trade agreement and service contract.
  • Not suitable where the worker is effectively employed directly by the UK business.

Is This Route Right for Your Business?

The suitability of the Service Supplier route depends largely on the contractual and employment arrangements.

The key questions are:

  • Who employs the worker?
  • Is there a genuine overseas service provider?
  • Is there a qualifying contract for services with a UK business?
  • Is the worker coming to the UK specifically to deliver services under that contract?

Where workers remain employed overseas and are being supplied to a UK business under a genuine service agreement, the Service Supplier route can provide a cost-effective alternative to Skilled Worker sponsorship.

However, where workers are employed directly by the UK entity or are filling permanent positions within the UK business, the Skilled Worker route will often be the more appropriate immigration category.

A detailed review of the company structure, employment arrangements and contractual documentation is therefore recommended before proceeding with an application.