International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)

United Kingdom•Europe

Open

International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

5 days – 2 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

From GBP £340

Other charges may apply

Stay Duration

2 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

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Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

2% cheaper than United States

Avg Salary£31,000

Quality of Life

174/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Temporary visa for workers under international agreements including diplomatic staff, government workers, and international organisation employees.

The UK International Agreement visa covers workers whose employment is governed by international law or treaty — diplomatic staff, international organisation employees, and private servants in diplomatic households. Applicants need a Certificate of Sponsorship and £1,270 in savings, or a sponsor certifying maintenance.

Stay is up to 2 years for government and international organisation workers, or 5 years in 2-year increments for private domestic staff. The visa is renewable but leads to no settlement. Dependants may accompany and work freely. The fee is £340 plus a £1,035-per-year healthcare surcharge.

This visa is ideal for diplomatic staff, international organisation employees, and private servants in diplomatic households who need a sponsored, treaty-governed UK work permission.

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Cost Breakdown

Application feeGBP £340

Healthcare surcharge (per year)GBP £1,035

recurring

TotalGBP £340

Processing Time

Outside UK (standard)	2–3 weeks
Inside UK (standard)	1–2 months
Priority (where available)	5–10 days

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

2 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)

Processing3 weeks

View Visa Details

United Kingdom

Spouse/Partner Visa

Validity33 months

Processing2 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be 18 years of age or older.

Must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor.

The job must be covered by international law or treaty (e.g., working for an overseas government, international organization, or as a private servant in a diplomatic household).

Must be able to support yourself financially during your stay (typically £1,270 in savings held for 28 days, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance).

Must meet English language requirements if applying as a private servant in a diplomatic household.

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Savings

1,270 GBP

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.

Evidence of financial maintenance (e.g., bank statements) unless exempt.

Evidence of employment under an international agreement (e.g., diplomatic letter or contract).

Proof of English language proficiency (for private servants).

Tuberculosis test results (if applicable).

Certified translations for any documents not in English or Welsh.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Permitted to study alongside employment (if not interfering with work)
Can undertake secondary employment up to 20 hours per week
Freedom to travel internationally and re-enter the UK
Qualifying dependents (partner and children) may accompany

Worth Knowing

No recourse to public funds
Cannot begin work before visa is formally approved
Healthcare surcharge (~£1,035/year) applies in addition to application fee
Dependents must also pay fees and healthcare surcharge separately
Private servant route requires English language test if applying from outside UK

Application Process

Obtain certificate of sponsorship from UK-based sponsor (overseas government, international organisation, or diplomatic household)

Gather required documents and proof of savings

Complete online visa application

Pay application fee and healthcare surcharge

Attend biometric appointment if required

Await decision (~3 weeks outside UK, ~8 weeks inside UK)

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