Overseas Domestic Worker Visa

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Overseas Domestic Worker Visa

The UK’s Overseas Domestic Worker visa is a specialized immigration pathway designed for individuals employed in domestic roles who intend to accompany their existing employer to the United Kingdom for a temporary stay of up to six months. This visa category is specifically tailored for professionals such as private nannies, housekeepers, chefs, chauffeurs, and other personal staff offering essential household services to an employer and their family.

This particular visa does not offer a route to permanent residency in the UK. Additionally, it does not permit family members or dependents to accompany or join the primary visa holder during their stay. This temporary visa is strictly for individuals who have been in long-standing domestic employment with their employer outside the UK and wish to continue that employment during the employer’s short-term visit to the country.

Link and Day Lawyers are specialists in UK immigration law, offering clear and confident guidance at every stage. With a focus on precision and care, we support your journey from start to finish.

Eligibility Criteria for the UK Overseas Domestic Worker Visa

To secure a UK Overseas Domestic Worker Visa, applicants must meet strict criteria as set out by UK Visas & Immigration. This visa is designed for individuals who have been working in private households and wish to accompany their employer to the UK on a short-term basis. The following conditions must be satisfied to be considered eligible:

  • Minimum Age Requirement: You must be at least 19 years old at the time of application.

  • Length of Employment: You must have been continuously employed as a domestic worker for a minimum of 12 months immediately prior to the date of your application.

  • Residential History with Employer: You should have lived either with your employer or in a property regularly used by your employer as their primary residence for at least 12 months before applying.

  • Employment Agreement: A written contract outlining the terms and conditions of your employment in the UK must be in place prior to your arrival.

  • Work Intention in the UK: Your purpose for entering the UK must be to work solely for your current employer during their stay in the country.

  • Salary Compliance: Your employer must agree to pay you no less than the UK National Minimum Wage throughout your stay.

  • Accompanying Employer Criteria: You must travel to the UK alongside:

    • A British employer or their British spouse, civil partner, or child under 18, provided their main residence is outside the UK and their stay will not exceed six months; or

    • The foreign national spouse, civil partner, or minor child (under 18) of a British employer, as long as they are not planning to remain in the UK for more than six months; or

    • A foreign national employer or their family member (spouse, civil partner, or child under 18) who is applying for, or has already been granted, a UK Visitor Visa (excluding student visas).

  • Temporary Stay Commitment: You must intend to leave the UK at the end of the 6-month period or at the same time your employer departs whichever comes first.

  • No Long-Term Residency: You must not plan to remain in the UK through repeated or extended visits, nor can the UK become your main home.

  • Financial and Housing Stability: You must demonstrate that you will be adequately supported and housed during your stay, without requiring public funds.

  • Immigration Compliance: Your application must not fall under any of the general grounds for refusal according to UK immigration rules.

It is important to note that individual circumstances may influence the specific documentation or additional criteria required. Seeking tailored legal advice from an experienced immigration advisor is strongly recommended to ensure your application meets all applicable requirements.

Key Benefits:

  • Legal entry to the UK as a private domestic worker for up to 6 months.

  • Permission to work full-time in a private household without sponsorship.

  • Retention of the same rights as under the initial employment contract.

  • Access to UK healthcare services via the Immigration Health Surcharge.

  • Opportunity to experience UK culture and professional standards.

Processing Time:

  • Standard visa processing typically takes around 3 weeks after the appointment at the visa application center.

  • Priority and super priority services may be available in select regions for faster decision-making.

Visa Fees:

  • The current application fee for the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa is £637.

  • Additional costs may include the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and biometric enrolment fees, depending on individual circumstances.

Understanding the Role of an Overseas Domestic Worker

The term ‘Overseas Domestic Worker’ is not explicitly defined in the UK Immigration Rules. However, under the guidance of the Home Office, this category typically includes individuals employed in private households abroad who provide essential personal services such as cleaning, cooking, driving (chauffeurs), childcare (nannies), or other domestic assistance to their employer and the employer’s family.

Essential Documents for an Overseas Domestic Worker Visa Application

To secure an Overseas Domestic Worker visa, applicants must present a well-organised portfolio of documents that clearly demonstrate their eligibility.

Key documentation may include:

  • A formal letter from your employer confirming your position and duties as a domestic worker

  • An employment contract detailing terms and conditions

  • Payslips or bank statements proving salary payments

  • A signed declaration confirming your agreement to the job’s conditions

Depending on your individual circumstances, additional evidence may be required. Seeking advice from a qualified immigration professional is strongly recommended to ensure your application meets all legal criteria.

Validity Period of the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa

Successful applicants will be granted permission to enter the United Kingdom for a fixed period of six (6) months.

This visa is strictly temporary. You are expected to depart the UK before your visa expires or when your employer returns home—whichever occurs first.

Permitted Activities and Restrictions on the Visa

Holders of this visa are allowed to work exclusively as an Overseas Domestic Worker in the UK.

However, you are not permitted to:

  • Undertake any employment outside of domestic work

  • Access public funds or claim government financial assistance

Changing Employers While in the UK

Visa holders may change employers during their stay in the UK without notifying the Home Office. However, the change must take place within the six-month validity of the visa.

Switching into the Overseas Domestic Worker Category

You cannot switch into the Overseas Domestic Worker visa route from within the UK. Applications must be submitted from outside the United Kingdom.

Visa Extensions and Long-Term Stay

The Overseas Domestic Worker visa is not extendable, and it does not lead to permanent settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.

In Case of Visa Refusal

If your visa application is denied, you may be eligible to request an Administrative Review if there is reason to believe an error was made in the decision-making process. For tailored advice and legal representation, it is advisable to consult with a licensed immigration advisor.

How Link And Day Lawyers Can Support You

At Link And Day Lawyers, we are more than just an immigration services provider we are a team of seasoned immigration barristers committed to delivering tailored legal support for all types of UK visa applications. Our specialists possess in-depth knowledge of the intricate immigration pathways, with particular expertise in Overseas Domestic Worker Visas.

Navigating the complex framework of Home Office regulations can be overwhelming. That’s why our immigration barristers offer strategic guidance every step of the way, ensuring your application complies with current legal standards and is positioned for success.

We take pride in offering a responsive, client-focused approach. Our mission is to provide Overseas Domestic Worker Visa applicants with clear, dependable, and forward-thinking immigration advice, all delivered with professionalism and a personal touch. At Link And Day Lawyers, your immigration goals become our legal priority.

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