The Secondment Worker Visa UK enables overseas employees to work temporarily in the United Kingdom as part of a high-value contract worth at least £50 million. This visa falls under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route, designed for multinational companies that need to transfer staff to fulfil major business contracts or investments. Unlike other work visa routes, the Secondment Worker visa does not lead to UK settlement—but it provides a streamlined pathway for temporary business assignments of up to 2 years.
Secondment Worker Visa UK: Global Business Mobility Route Overview
The Secondment Worker Visa is one of five visa categories under the UK's Global Business Mobility (GBM) framework, which replaced the former Intra-Company Transfer routes in April 2022. This visa specifically targets employees of overseas companies who need to work temporarily in the UK to deliver services under a high-value contract between their overseas employer and a UK-based organisation.
The defining feature of the Secondment Worker route is the £50 million contract threshold. Unlike other GBM routes where the transfer is within the same corporate group, the Secondment Worker visa facilitates transfers where an overseas company has won a major contract with a UK client and needs to send staff to fulfil that contract on UK soil.
The Global Business Mobility routes are designed to facilitate international business operations while maintaining clear boundaries on employment and settlement. For the Secondment Worker route specifically, the Home Office requires the UK sponsor to register their high-value contract before they can issue Certificates of Sponsorship to overseas workers.
Secondment Worker Visa UK at a Glance
The Secondment Worker visa is particularly relevant for industries where major infrastructure, technology, or consultancy contracts are awarded to overseas companies. Construction firms, IT service providers, engineering consultancies, and professional services companies frequently use this route to deploy specialised teams to UK project sites.
What is the Secondment Worker Visa?
The Secondment Worker Visa is a UK work visa for employees of overseas companies who are temporarily assigned to work in the UK to fulfil a high-value contract (minimum £50 million) between their employer and a UK organisation. It allows stays of up to 2 years but does not lead to UK settlement.
The Secondment Worker visa addresses a specific business scenario: when an overseas company wins a major contract with a UK client and needs to deploy staff to deliver that contract on UK soil. Unlike the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, which facilitates transfers within the same corporate group, the Secondment Worker route involves a commercial relationship between two separate entities.
How Long Can You Stay on a Secondment Worker Visa?
You can stay for up to 12 months on an initial Secondment Worker Visa, with the option to extend for an additional 12 months. The maximum total stay is 2 years. Additionally, you cannot spend more than 5 years in any 6-year period across all Global Business Mobility routes combined.
The duration granted on your Secondment Worker visa will be whichever is shorter: 12 months after your job start date, or the period specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days. This reflects the temporary nature of secondment arrangements, where staff are deployed for specific project phases rather than permanent positions.
What Can and Cannot You Do on a Secondment Worker Visa?
The Secondment Worker visa comes with specific permissions and restrictions that distinguish it from other UK work visas:
- ✅ Work: For your sponsor in the job specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship
- ✅ Study: Enrol in courses alongside your work (must not interfere with job)
- ✅ Bring family: Your partner and children can join as dependants
- ✅ Travel: Enter and leave the UK freely during visa validity
- ✅ Volunteer: Unpaid work for registered charities or statutory bodies
- ❌ Change jobs: Cannot work for a different employer without updating visa
- ❌ Second job: Cannot take additional employment
- ❌ Public funds: No access to benefits or State Pension
- ❌ Settlement: Cannot apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR)
Secondment Worker Visa UK Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Secondment Worker Visa, you must be an existing employee of an overseas company with a Home Office-approved high-value contract (£50M+), have worked for your employer for at least 12 months, hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, and be assigned to an eligible occupation at RQF Level 6 or above.
Eligibility for the Secondment Worker visa involves requirements for both the applicant and the sponsoring arrangement. The Home Office assesses applications using a points-based system, where you must score 40 points (20 for sponsorship + 20 for job skill level).
Applicant Requirements
- Current employment: Must be an existing employee of the overseas company sending you to the UK
- 12 months' service: Must have worked for your overseas employer for at least 12 months immediately before applying (waived for extensions with same sponsor)
- Age requirement: Must be 18 years or older at the time of application
- Certificate of Sponsorship: Must hold a valid CoS from your UK sponsor
- Eligible occupation: Job must be on the list of eligible occupations at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above
- Financial maintenance: £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (unless sponsor certifies maintenance)
Sponsorship Requirements
The UK organisation receiving the seconded worker must meet specific requirements before they can sponsor Secondment Workers:
- Sponsor licence: Must hold a valid Global Business Mobility sponsor licence
- Registered contract: The high-value contract must be registered with the Home Office
- Contract value: Minimum £50 million total value with at least £10 million annual value
- Genuine vacancy: The role must be a genuine position, not created primarily for immigration purposes
- ☐ Employed by overseas company with £50M+ UK contract
- ☐ Worked for overseas employer for 12+ months
- ☐ Job is at RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent) or above
- ☐ Valid Certificate of Sponsorship from UK sponsor
- ☐ £1,270 in savings for 28 days OR sponsor certification
- ☐ TB test certificate (if from listed country)
- ☐ Valid passport or travel document
What is a High-Value Contract for Secondment Worker Visa?
A high-value contract for Secondment Worker visa purposes must be worth at least £50 million in total, with a minimum annual value of £10 million. The contract must be between the overseas employer and the UK sponsor, and it must be registered with the Home Office before any Certificates of Sponsorship can be issued.
The high-value contract requirement distinguishes the Secondment Worker visa from other Global Business Mobility routes. This threshold ensures the visa is used for genuinely significant commercial arrangements rather than routine service contracts. Examples include major infrastructure projects, large-scale IT implementations, and significant consultancy engagements.
How to Apply for a Secondment Worker Visa
Apply online through gov.uk up to 3 months before your job start date. You'll need your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number, valid passport, proof of 12 months' employment with your overseas employer, financial evidence (unless sponsor certifies), and a TB test certificate if applicable. Processing takes approximately 3 weeks from outside the UK.
The Secondment Worker visa application process begins with your UK sponsor assigning you a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) through the Home Office's Sponsorship Management System. Once you have your CoS reference number, you can proceed with your online application.
Application Process Step-by-Step
- Step 1: UK sponsor registers high-value contract with Home Office
- Step 2: UK 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 (£1,035/year)
- Step 5: Book and attend biometrics appointment at visa application centre
- Step 6: Submit supporting documents
- Step 7: Receive decision (typically 3 weeks from outside UK)
Documents Required for Secondment Worker Visa
You'll need to provide the following documents with your Secondment Worker visa application:
- Valid passport: Current passport or travel document with at least one blank page
- Certificate of Sponsorship: Reference number provided by your UK sponsor
- Employment evidence: Documents proving 12+ months with overseas employer (employment contract, payslips, employment letter)
- Financial evidence: Bank statements showing £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (unless sponsor certifies maintenance on CoS)
- TB test certificate: Required if you've lived in a listed country for more than 6 months
Processing Times
You can apply up to 3 months before your intended start date in the UK. For more information on visa processing times and what to do if your application is delayed, see our guide on UK visa processing times after biometrics.
Secondment Worker Visa Fees and Costs 2026
The Secondment Worker Visa costs £319 to apply, plus £1,035 per year for the Immigration Health Surcharge. Dependants pay the same fees. Priority processing (where available) costs an additional £500. Total cost for a 12-month visa for one person is approximately £1,354.
Understanding the full cost of a Secondment Worker visa helps with budgeting for your UK assignment. The fees apply to each applicant, including any dependants who apply to join you.
Complete Fee Breakdown 2026
For the latest information on all UK visa fees, see our comprehensive guide to UK visa fees.
Secondment Worker vs Other Global Business Mobility Routes
The Global Business Mobility framework includes five visa routes, each designed for different business scenarios. Understanding the differences helps determine which route is appropriate for your situation.
What is the Difference Between Secondment Worker and Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?
The key difference is the relationship between the entities involved. Senior or Specialist Worker visas are for transfers within the same corporate group (parent company to subsidiary). Secondment Worker visas are for transfers to a separate UK organisation under a commercial contract. Secondment Workers also require a £50M high-value contract, while Senior/Specialist Workers must meet salary thresholds (£52,500 or going rate).
GBM Routes Comparison
None of the Global Business Mobility routes lead directly to UK settlement (indefinite leave to remain). However, time spent on certain GBM routes may count towards settlement if you later switch to a Skilled Worker visa (limited exceptions apply).
Can Secondment Workers Switch to Another Visa?
Yes, Secondment Workers can switch to other visa categories while in the UK, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements of the new visa. Common switches include the Skilled Worker visa (which does lead to settlement) or other Global Business Mobility routes. However, time spent on the Secondment Worker visa does not count towards the 5-year qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain.
For more information on switching visa categories, see our guide on switching UK visas.
- The Secondment Worker Visa costs £319 plus £1,035/year IHS (2026)
- Requires a high-value contract worth at least £50 million
- Maximum stay is 2 years (12 months initial + 12 months extension)
- Does not lead to UK settlement (ILR) but can switch to Skilled Worker
- Part of the Global Business Mobility framework (replaced ICT routes)
- Applicants must have 12 months' employment with overseas employer
For further official guidance, visit the gov.uk Secondment Worker visa page or refer to Immigration Rules Appendix Global Business Mobility routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Secondment Worker and Senior or Specialist Worker visa?
The main difference is the relationship between the entities. The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is for intra-company transfers within the same corporate group (e.g., from a parent company to its UK subsidiary). The Secondment Worker visa is for employees being sent to work for a different UK organisation under a high-value commercial contract worth at least £50 million. Senior/Specialist Workers must meet salary thresholds (£52,500 minimum), while Secondment Workers have no salary requirement but must be linked to a registered high-value contract.
How much does a Secondment Worker Visa cost in 2026?
The Secondment Worker Visa application fee is £319 per person. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 per year 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 for a decision within 5 working days, or £1,000 for super priority (next working day). Dependants pay the same fees.
Can I bring my family on a Secondment Worker Visa?
Yes, your partner (spouse, civil partner, or unmarried 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. Your dependants can work and study in the UK without restrictions. They must provide proof of their relationship to you and may need to show they can be financially supported.
Can I switch from Secondment Worker to Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, you can switch from a Secondment Worker visa to a Skilled Worker visa while in the UK, provided you meet all the eligibility requirements for the Skilled Worker route. You'll need a new Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed Skilled Worker sponsor and must meet the salary and skill level requirements. However, time spent on the Secondment Worker visa does not count towards the 5-year qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain under the Skilled Worker route.
What happens if the high-value contract ends early?
If the high-value contract ends or your secondment is terminated early, your sponsor must report this change to the Home Office. Your permission to stay in the UK may be curtailed (shortened). You would typically have 60 days from the date your sponsorship ends to either leave the UK, switch to another visa category, or find a new sponsor. If you fail to take action within this period, you may become an overstayer, which can affect future UK visa applications.
Do I need an English language test for Secondment Worker Visa?
No, there is no English language requirement for the Secondment Worker visa. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, which requires applicants to prove English proficiency at CEFR Level B1, the Secondment Worker route under Global Business Mobility does not have this requirement. This reflects the temporary nature of the visa and the expectation that seconded workers are primarily working with their overseas employer's systems and processes.
Can I apply for settlement (ILR) on a Secondment Worker Visa?
No, the Secondment Worker 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 then complete the required qualifying period (usually 5 years) on that route. Time spent on the Secondment Worker visa does not count towards settlement.
How long does Secondment Worker Visa processing take?
Standard processing for Secondment Worker visa applications takes approximately 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK. If you're applying from inside the UK (for an extension or to switch visas), processing typically takes 8 weeks. Priority services may be available depending on your location: priority service costs £500 for a decision within 5 working days, and super priority costs £1,000 for a next working day decision. You can apply up to 3 months before your intended start date.