The International Agreement visa (Temporary Work) allows individuals to work in the UK either (i) for an overseas government or a recognised international organisation, or (ii) as a private servant in a diplomatic household. This visa replaced the Temporary Worker – International Agreement Worker visa (Tier 5). You need to be over 18 years old to apply.
A certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer is required before you can make the visa application. The work you plan to do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation. Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work. If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused.
You can apply up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. The start date will be on your certificate of sponsorship.
Decisions are usually made within 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK, or 8 weeks if applying from inside the UK. You may also be able to apply for priority service which will speed up the process to 1 week.
The application fee is £298 per person (whether applying from inside or outside the UK), plus a healthcare surcharge of £1,035 per year of the visa (payable up front at the time of application).
You may need to show that you have enough money to support yourself in the UK – you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa. If your partner and children are applying as your dependants, they will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. In addition to the £1270 you need as the main applicant, you will need to show you have an additional £285 for your partner, £315 for your first dependent child and £200 for any other dependent child.
You will need to provide bank statements to prove this when you apply unless you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months or your employer can certify that they will cover your maintenance during your first month in the UK. In this case your certificate of sponsorship must confirm that they are “certifying your maintenance”
The visa duration depends on the type of work.
For overseas government or international organisation workers, you can stay for up to 2 years or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter.
For private servants in diplomatic households, you can stay for up to a maximum of 5 years. You can apply for up to 2 years at a time or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter.
If you are a private servant applying from outside the UK, you will also need to prove your knowledge of English. You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level CEFR B1. This is based on the Common European Framework of Reference for languages, focusing on speaking and listening. You can meet this requirement in one of three ways: you can be a citizen of a country where English is the main language, pass an accepted English language test at the required level, or have an academic qualification taught in English. This qualification must be recognised by Ecctis as equal to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD.
As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity and provide your documents. You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You will find out if you need a biometric appointment when you start your application, but if you have a non-EU passport, you will normally need one.
After submitting the application online, you will need to upload the following documents before your biometric appointment:
You must provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh. You may need to provide additional documents depending on your particular circumstances.
You can enter the UK on the date your visa starts. You may have to leave the UK within 60 days if your job finishes early, but not if your visa expires anyway within those 60 days.
You must work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship. However, in certain circumstances, you can also study or do a second job (for up to 20 hours per week) whilst on this visa. You can also freely travel inside and outside the UK for the duration of this visa and bring your dependants with you if they are eligible.
You are not entitled to take public funds. You also cannot start working in the UK before you get your visa.
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