A Service Supplier visa allows an individual to enter the UK to work if they intend to provide services to a UK company as either a self-employed individual based outside the UK, or an employee of an overseas company.

In order to qualify for a Service Supplier visa, the relevant individual should:

• be providing a service to a UK business and be doing so under a contract which is covered by a valid and active international trade agreement
• be performing an ‘eligible job’ as defined by the Home Office, or have relevant experience and qualifications
• hold a certificate of sponsorship from the company they’ll be working for in the UK
• have at least 12 months’ experience of self-employment in their field, or have been working for their employer for at least 12 months

Once granted, a Service Supplier visa can be valid for as much as 12 months, though this could be shorter depending on the terms of the trade agreement under which the applicant will be providing their services.

Service Supplier visas can be applied for up to three months before the applicant intends to begin working in the UK. Once the Home Office has received the application and any supporting documents, a decision is usually made within 3 weeks if the application comes from outside the UK, and within 8 weeks from within the UK.

An application for a Service Supplier Visa costs £259, plus a healthcare surcharge which must be paid in advance of receiving the visa. Applicants will also need to prove that they have at least £1270 in their bank account for a minimum of 28 consecutive days prior to submitting their application.

It is possible to add your partner and/or children to this visa when you apply and have them travel to the UK with you, or to join you after you have arrived. However, they will need to submit separate applications of their own and pay the £259 fee. They may also need to pay a healthcare surcharge and show evidence of having enough money to support themselves.

You may be able to extend your visa if you are still contracted to the same sponsor and you have not already spent five of the last six years in the UK on a Global Business Mobility category visa. You should ensure that any request for an extension or update to your existing visa is made before it expires, and that any dependants also apply to extend their own visas.