The Service Supplier Visa UK enables overseas employees and self-employed professionals to work temporarily in the United Kingdom under international trade agreements. This Global Business Mobility route covers a wide range of services—from legal and IT services to engineering and creative industries—allowing skilled professionals to deliver contracted services to UK clients. With an application fee of £319 and maximum stays of 6-12 months depending on the applicable trade agreement, this visa provides a flexible pathway for international service delivery.
Service Supplier Visa UK: Global Business Mobility Route Overview
The Service Supplier Visa is one of five visa categories under the UK's Global Business Mobility (GBM) framework. This route replaced the previous Tier 5 International Agreement provisions for contractual service suppliers and independent professionals when the GBM routes launched in April 2022.
What makes the Service Supplier visa unique is its connection to international trade agreements. The service you provide must be specifically covered by a trade agreement between the UK and your country of nationality. This ensures the visa supports genuine international trade commitments rather than general employment.
Service Supplier Visa UK at a Glance
What is the Service Supplier Visa?
The Service Supplier Visa is a UK work visa for overseas employees or self-employed professionals who provide services to UK clients under international trade agreements. It allows temporary stays of 6-12 months to deliver contracted services in areas such as legal, IT, engineering, and creative industries.
The Service Supplier visa serves two categories of applicants: contractual service suppliers (employees of overseas companies) and independent professionals (self-employed professionals based overseas). Both must provide services covered by a specific UK trade agreement.
What Trade Agreements Cover the Service Supplier Visa?
The Service Supplier Visa is available under several UK trade agreements including the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), and various bilateral agreements with individual countries.
The specific services covered and maximum stay durations vary depending on which trade agreement applies to your situation. Under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, for example, service suppliers can stay for up to 12 months, while other agreements may limit stays to 6 months.
Services Covered by Service Supplier Visa
The range of services covered depends on the specific trade agreement, but commonly includes:
- Legal services: Legal consultancy and advisory services
- Accounting services: Auditing, bookkeeping, and tax consultancy
- Engineering services: Technical consultancy and project engineering
- IT services: Software development, consultancy, and systems integration
- Research and development: Scientific and technical research services
- Management consultancy: Business and management advisory services
- Creative and cultural services: Design, advertising, and entertainment services
Service Supplier Visa UK Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Service Supplier Visa, you must be a national of a country with a UK trade agreement covering your service, have a contract to provide services to a UK client, hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, and have at least 12 months' experience with your employer (or in your sector if self-employed). You must also meet financial requirements of £1,270 in savings.
Eligibility requirements differ slightly depending on whether you're applying as an employee of an overseas company or as a self-employed professional. Both categories must demonstrate a legitimate service contract covered by a trade agreement.
Requirements for Employees (Contractual Service Suppliers)
- Nationality: Must be a national of a country with a UK trade agreement covering the service
- Employment: Must be employed by an overseas service provider
- Service contract: Work must be covered by a contract between your employer and a UK client
- Work experience: At least 12 months' employment with your overseas employer in the 12 months before applying
- Skill level: Job at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) OR degree + 3 years' experience in the sector
- Certificate of Sponsorship: Valid CoS from a licensed UK sponsor
Requirements for Self-Employed Professionals (Independent Professionals)
- Nationality: Must be a national of a country with a UK trade agreement covering the service
- Self-employment: Must be self-employed and based overseas
- Service contract: Contract for services with a UK client covered by a trade agreement
- Experience: At least 6 years' professional experience in the relevant sector
- Qualifications: University degree (or equivalent) plus any required professional qualifications
- Certificate of Sponsorship: Valid CoS from your UK client
- ☐ National of country with UK trade agreement
- ☐ Service covered by trade agreement
- ☐ 12 months' work experience (employees) or 6 years (self-employed)
- ☐ Valid Certificate of Sponsorship from UK sponsor/client
- ☐ £1,270 in savings for 28 days OR sponsor certification
- ☐ Criminal record certificate (if lived in any country 12+ months in last 10 years)
- ☐ TB test certificate (if from listed country)
How to Apply for a Service Supplier Visa
Apply online through gov.uk after your UK sponsor assigns you a Certificate of Sponsorship. You'll need to provide your CoS reference number, passport, proof of employment/self-employment history, qualifications, evidence of the service contract, and financial evidence. Processing takes approximately 3 weeks from outside the UK.
- Step 1: UK client/sponsor registers service contract with Home Office
- Step 2: Sponsor assigns Certificate of Sponsorship via SMS
- Step 3: Complete online application on gov.uk
- Step 4: Pay visa fee (£319) and Immigration Health Surcharge
- Step 5: Book and attend biometrics appointment
- Step 6: Submit supporting documents
- Step 7: Receive decision (typically 3 weeks from outside UK)
Documents Required for Service Supplier Visa
- Valid passport: Current passport or travel document
- Certificate of Sponsorship: Reference number from your UK sponsor
- Employment evidence: Proof of employment with overseas company (or self-employment history)
- Qualifications: Degree certificates and professional qualifications
- Service contract: Evidence of the contract between your employer/you and the UK client
- Financial evidence: Bank statements showing £1,270 for 28 days (unless sponsor certifies)
- Criminal record certificate: From countries you've lived in for 12+ months in last 10 years
- TB test certificate: If required based on your country of residence
Service Supplier Visa Fees and Costs 2026
The Service Supplier Visa application fee is £319 per person, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year. For a 12-month visa, total costs are approximately £1,354 per applicant. Dependants pay the same fees. Priority processing (where available) costs an additional £500.
Complete Fee Breakdown 2026
For the latest information on all UK visa fees, see our comprehensive guide to UK visa fees.
How Long Can You Stay on a Service Supplier Visa?
The maximum stay depends on the trade agreement under which you're providing services. Under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, you can stay up to 12 months. Under other agreements, the maximum is typically 6 months. You can apply for an extension up to the maximum allowed by the relevant trade agreement.
Service Supplier vs Other Global Business Mobility Routes
The Global Business Mobility framework includes five visa routes. Understanding the differences helps determine which route is appropriate for your situation.
What is the Difference Between Service Supplier and Secondment Worker Visa?
Service Supplier visas require your service to be covered by a UK trade agreement, while Secondment Worker visas require a high-value contract worth at least £50 million. Service Suppliers can work for multiple UK clients under the same trade agreement, whereas Secondment Workers are tied to a specific high-value contract. Both routes have no salary requirement and no path to settlement.
GBM Routes Comparison
- Application fee is £319 plus £1,035/year IHS (2026)
- Service must be covered by a UK trade agreement
- Maximum stay is 6-12 months depending on trade agreement
- No salary requirement and no English language test
- Does not lead to UK settlement (ILR)
- Available to employees and self-employed professionals
For further official guidance, visit the gov.uk Service Supplier visa page or refer to Immigration Rules Appendix Global Business Mobility routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Service Supplier and Secondment Worker visa?
The key difference is the qualifying requirement. Service Supplier visas require your service to be covered by a UK trade agreement (such as the UK-EU TCA), while Secondment Worker visas require a high-value contract worth at least £50 million between your overseas employer and the UK sponsor. Service Suppliers can potentially work for multiple UK clients under the same trade agreement, whereas Secondment Workers are tied to a specific high-value contract.
How much does a Service Supplier Visa cost in 2026?
The Service Supplier Visa application fee is £319 per person. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year, pro-rated for the duration of your visa. For a 12-month visa, the total cost is approximately £1,354 per applicant. Priority processing (where available) costs an additional £500, and dependants pay the same fees.
Can I bring my family on a Service Supplier Visa?
Yes, your spouse or partner and children under 18 can apply to join you in the UK as your dependants. Each dependant must submit a separate visa application and pay the £319 application fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. Dependants can work and study in the UK without restrictions during your visa validity period.
Can I work for multiple UK clients on a Service Supplier Visa?
Yes, you can work for multiple UK clients, provided all the services you provide are covered by the relevant international trade agreement. Each client arrangement must comply with the terms of the trade agreement and the conditions of your visa. You cannot take on work that falls outside the scope of the trade agreement coverage.
What trade agreements cover the Service Supplier Visa?
The Service Supplier Visa is available under several UK trade agreements including the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), and various bilateral agreements with individual countries. The specific services covered and maximum stay durations vary by agreement.
How long can I stay in the UK on a Service Supplier Visa?
The maximum stay depends on the trade agreement under which you're providing services. Under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, you can stay for up to 12 months. Under most other trade agreements, the maximum is 6 months. You can apply for an extension up to the maximum period allowed by the relevant trade agreement.
Can I apply for settlement (ILR) on a Service Supplier Visa?
No, the Service Supplier visa does not provide a path to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK. None of the Global Business Mobility routes lead directly to settlement. If you wish to settle in the UK permanently, you would need to switch to a visa category that does lead to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker visa, and complete the required qualifying period on that route.
Do I need an English language test for Service Supplier Visa?
No, there is no English language requirement for the Service Supplier visa. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, which requires applicants to prove English proficiency at CEFR Level B1, the Service Supplier route under Global Business Mobility does not have this requirement. This reflects the temporary, trade-focused nature of the visa.