SSU — Service Supplier Visa (Global Business Mobility)

United Kingdom•Europe

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SSU — Service Supplier Visa (Global Business Mobility)

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

2 weeks – 2 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

GBP £2,645

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

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

For overseas workers providing services to a UK company under a trade agreement.

The Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility) lets employees of overseas businesses and self-employed professionals deliver services in the UK under an international trade agreement. A certificate of sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor is required, plus at least 12 months prior employment or experience.

Stay is 6 or 12 months depending on the trade agreement, extendable within a 5-year cumulative cap in any 6-year period. No English requirement or annual quota applies. A partner and children may accompany. There is no pathway to indefinite leave to remain; the holder remains tied to the sponsor and contract.

This visa is ideal for overseas employees or self-employed contractors sent to the UK under a trade agreement service contract, with no need for permanent residence.

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Cost Breakdown

Application feeGBP £340

Maintenance funds (must be held 28 days)GBP £1,270

Immigration Health SurchargeGBP £1,035

TotalGBP £2,645

Processing Time

Standard (outside UK)	2–3 weeks
Standard (inside UK - extension)	1–2 months

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

1 year

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

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Employee of an overseas business or self-employed service provider based overseas

Work must be covered by a valid UK international trade agreement

Must have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor

Employees: at least 12 months' employment with the overseas employer

Self-employed: at least 12 months' professional experience in the relevant sector

Must perform a qualifying occupation, OR hold a bachelor's degree plus 3 years' relevant experience (employees) or 6 years' experience (self-employed)

Certificate of sponsorship must be used within 3 months of issue

Maintenance funds of £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (unless exempt)

KEY CRITERIA

Experience

1+ years

Min. Savings

1,270 GBP

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.

Valid passport or travel document.

Job title and annual salary.

Job's occupation code.

Name of the sponsor and sponsor licence number.

Evidence of professional qualifications and relevant experience.

Evidence of personal savings (if required).

Proof of relationship for dependants (if applicable).

Tuberculosis test results (if required).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Covers both employees of overseas companies and self-employed professionals
Low application fee (£319) compared to Skilled Worker visa
No English language requirement
No annual quota or numerical cap
Study and voluntary/charity work permitted alongside primary work
Dependants (partner and children) may accompany
Extendable while within 5-year cumulative cap

Worth Knowing

No pathway to indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence explicitly excluded)
5-year cumulative stay limit within any 6-year period across all Global Business Mobility routes
Tied to specific sponsor and contract — cannot change employers without updating visa
No second job permitted
Work must fall under a recognised international trade agreement
Cannot access most public funds
Must not travel outside UK/Ireland/Channel Islands/Isle of Man while extension application is pending