Overseas domestic worker visa

Domestic worker visas, also known as Domestic helpers visa and domestic workers visa are the primary immigration route to the UK for foreign domestic workers coming to the UK to do business for an overseas employer.

Domestic worker Visa is aimed primarily at domestic workers who are employed as a nurse, housekeeping assistants, cooks, or cleaning service providers to their employers and their families.

Those whose domestic work permit was granted will remain in the United Kingdom for 6 months, but after this time they must return home — with no visa extension.

Overseas domestic work visas do not provide access to permanent immigration to Britain.

Employers must be UK citizens who live outside the UK and who do not intend to remain in the UK for more than 6 months.

Alternatively, employers can be foreign citizens who are coming to the UK to visit and who do not intend to remain for more than 6 months.

• What is the Domestic Worker Visa and How to Apply?
• Who can apply for a UK domestic worker visa?
• Extending an overseas domestic worker visa
• Basic requirements for a domestic worker visa
• Application fees and restrictions
• Documents to provide
• How Can IAS Help?

You can apply for an international domestic worker visa if you are personal assistant for a private household, for example:

• A nanny.
• Cleaning service.
• A cook.
• A cleaner.
• A chauffeur.
• A horticulturists.
• Or other.

You must also:

• Live outside of the UK.
• Meet all of the eligibility requirements.
• Work domestically in a private household.
• Have been working for your employer for at least 1 year.

The maximum stay for domestic workers in the UK can last six months.

This means a domestic worker cannot apply for an extended stay in the UK, however they can apply for an additional stay in the United Kingdom by applying from another country, although for ease of process it is advised applicants return home after the 6 months period to avoid confusion of immigration law.

A house worker can apply for work anywhere in Britain and all of the applications are dependent upon the circumstances of their situation.

Overseas domestic worker visa holders must:

• Be over the age of 19.
• Have been under employment with an employer for at least 1 year.
• Work in the same household as your employer.
• Plan to travel to the UK with your employer or their dependents.
• Intend to work as a full-time domestic worker in a UK household that your employer will live in for 6 months.
• Make plans to leave the UK at the end of 6 month period.
• Ensure finances can fund the residency comfortably without relying on UK public funding.

It will take 3 weeks or less for an Overseas domestic worker visa to be processed if the applicant is outside of the UK when the apply.

Applicants can apply up to 3 months before they are due to arrive in the UK.

The current visa fees are £682.

The visa lasts for 6 months, after which time the visa will expire and the individual must return home. There is no visa extension for the overseas domestic worker visa.

Visa holders are permitted to travel outside of the UK during their residency in the UK, as well as change employment to a different private household in the UK, providing you do not exceed 6 months’ stay.

Visa holders are not permitted to exceed 6 months stay in the UK, or work as anything other than their job description listed on their visa. They are also not allowed to receive or apply for public funding during their stay.

There are specific documents that applicants will need to provide when they apply for the visa. This list is not limited to these requirements, depending on your circumstances:

• A valid passport or travel document with a blank page spare for your visa.
• Provide 6 months worth of bank statements to prove you can financially support yourself without relying on public funds.
• Complete an ‘Appendix domestic worker statement’ which will need to be signed by both you and your employer.
• A letter from your employer confirming your job title, and the duration of your employment with them.

You must also provide 1 of the following documents covering the same period of employment:

• Bank statements.
• Tax payment confirmation.
• Health insurance payment confirmation.
• Employment contract.
• A work visa or residence permit for your country of employment with your current employer.

Applying for UK visas can be difficult to navigate, especially if English is not your first language.

Our team at IAS has extensive expertise in providing quality assistance to individuals and their families looking to apply for a UK visa, whatever route they choose to take.

For more information or to schedule a friendly chat about your plans or current situation, get in contact with our team of lawyers today.

Call our friendly team on 0330 828 4145 or get in touch with IAS immigration experts to find out more about our immigration services.