A1.36 Service Supplier Visa¶
Service Supplier Visa (Global Business Mobility) – September 2025 Update
Official link: https://www.gov.uk/service-supplier-visa
Overview
Part of Global Business Mobility route
For overseas employees/self-employed professionals providing services under international trade agreements
Requires specific qualifications and experience
Eligibility Requirements
Identity:
Employee of overseas business OR
Overseas-based self-employed service provider
Contract Requirements:
Service must be under valid international trade agreement
UK client must be Home Office-approved sponsor
Experience:
Employees: ≥12 months with overseas employer outside UK
Self-employed: ≥12 months relevant professional experience
Qualifications:
Role on eligible occupations list OR
Meet alternative qualification requirements
Alternative Qualification Requirements
If occupation code not eligible:
Education (one of):
Bachelor's or higher degree in any subject OR
Technical qualification equivalent to bachelor's degree
Experience:
Employees: 3 years relevant professional experience
Self-employed: 6 years relevant professional experience
Specific Service Requirements:
Advertising/Translation: Relevant degree
Head Chef: Advanced technical qualification + 6 years experience
Entertainment Services: No degree required
Fashion Modelling: No degree required
Management Consulting: Bachelor's degree
Technical Testing/Analysis: Bachelor's degree or relevant technical qualification
Visa Duration & Restrictions
Stay duration: 6 or 12 months (depending on trade agreement)
Extensions: Possible
Total maximum stay: 12 months (agreement-dependent)
Global Business Mobility limit: 5 years across all relevant visas in any 6-year period
Key Restrictions:
❌ No settlement pathway
❌ No secondary employment
❌ Cannot change work (without visa update)
❌ No public funds
Costs & Financial Requirements
Application fee: £319
Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035/year
Maintenance funds: £1,270 (held 28 days before application)
Application Process & Documents
Required Documents:
Valid passport
Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
Experience evidence:
Employees: 12 months payslips/bank statements
Self-employed: Invoices/business accounts/accountant letters
Qualification proof (degree certificates/technical qualifications)
Financial evidence
Processing Times:
Outside UK: ~3 weeks
Inside UK: ~8 weeks
Work Rights & Restrictions
Permitted:
✓ Provide services to UK sponsor
✓ Study
✓ Volunteer
✓ Bring eligible dependants
Not Permitted:
✗ Change employer/service nature (without visa update)
✗ Secondary employment
✗ Settlement applications
✗ Public funds
Visa Maintenance
Extension Requirements:
Continue serving same sponsor
Still meet qualification requirements
Within maximum stay limits
Service Changes: Must update visa if SOC code changes
Dependants
Eligible: Spouse/civil partner/unmarried partner/children under 18
Additional funds required:
Partner: £285
First child: £315
Each additional child: £200
Rights: Work and study
Important Notes
Trade agreements essential: Visa entirely dependent on valid international trade agreement coverage
Strict qualification requirements: Must meet alternative education/experience criteria if occupation code ineligible
Complex self-employed evidence: Requires comprehensive business activity documentation
Student visa switching: Must complete course OR PhD with 24+ months study