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UK SECONDMENT WORKER VISA
UK SECONDMENT WORKER VISA FOR EMPLOYEES IN SWITZERLAND
The Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa enables Swiss (and non-Swiss) employees residing in Switzerland to be temporarily seconded to the UK by their Swiss employer, as part of a substantial contract or investment.
The Secondment Worker visa does not lead directly to settlement in the UK, but you may switch to another UK immigration route that offers settlement. Applicants from Switzerland can be accompanied by their partner and dependent children.
Requirements for a UK Secondment Worker Visa for Swiss Nationals (and non-Swiss Nationals) Working in Switzerland
To qualify for a UK Secondment Worker visa from Switzerland, you must demonstrate to UK Visas and Immigration that:
Age Requirement: You are aged 18 or above.
Employment and Contract: You are currently employed by an overseas business with a contract valued at least £50 million, registered with the Home Office by your sponsor (unless you are seeking an extension with the same sponsor).
Work Experience: You have worked for this overseas employer outside the UK for a cumulative period of at least 12 months (unless applying for an extension).
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): You possess a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor for the intended role.
Genuine Job and Skill Level: The job you intend to undertake is genuine and at an appropriate skill level.
Financial Sufficiency: You can support yourself financially without relying on public funds.
Specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances, and seeking advice from an immigration lawyer specialising in UK immigration law or a specialist UK immigration law firm is advisable.
To discuss your UK Secondment Worker Visa application with one of our UK immigration lawyers in Switzerland, contact our business immigration team on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below. |
UK Secondment Worker Visa Overseas Work Requirement for Swiss Citizens (and non-Swiss Citizens) Temporarily Seconded to the UK
Initial applicants must currently be employed by an overseas business with a Home Office-registered contract with their UK sponsor, having worked outside the UK for at least 12 months cumulatively.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement for Swiss Employees Seconded to the UK by Their Swiss Employer
To obtain this visa, you need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by a UK employer authorised by the Home Office for secondment workers. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s licensed sponsors register, unless your last permission was as a Secondment Worker with the same sponsor.
The Certificate of Sponsorship must be issued within 3 months of your visa application and include specific mandatory details about your job, salary, current employment with the overseas business, and your work history.
Genuine Job Requirement
Your application must demonstrate that the job you are sponsored for is genuine and not created primarily to secure a visa.
Skill Level Requirement for Residents of Switzerland Seconded to the UK
The job must meet or exceed RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent) and be listed in the Home Office’s eligible jobs for the Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa.
Salary Requirement for Swiss Nationals (and non-Swiss Nationals) Applying for a UK Secondment Worker Visa
Sponsors under this visa are exempt from general salary requirements or the ‘going rate’ for the occupation.
Financial Requirement for Residents of Switzerland
Unless exempt, applicants from Switzerland must demonstrate funds of at least £1,270, held for 28 consecutive days within the month preceding the visa application. Exemptions apply if the UK sponsor commits to supporting and accommodating you.
English Language Requirement for Swiss Residents
No English language requirement is necessary for Secondment Worker Visa applicants.
Switching into the Second Worker Route
Applicants from Switzerland may switch to the Secondment Worker route from another UK immigration category, except specific exceptions like Visitor or Short-term Student visas.
UK Secondment Worker Visa Duration and Conditions of Stay for Swiss Employees Seconded to the UK
Secondment Worker visas are initially granted for up to 1 year or the duration stated in the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, with an option to extend up to 2 years. Working, studying, and voluntary activities are permitted under this visa, but access to public funds is not allowed.
Settlement in the UK as a Secondment Worker
This visa does not lead directly to settlement, but you may switch to other routes such as the Skilled Worker route or the Innovator route combined with the Start-up route, subject to meeting their respective requirements.
Dependants of UK Secondment Workers from Switzerland
Dependents of UK Secondment Workers over 18 and children under 18 may accompany or join you on this visa.
Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence Application for a UK Business Linked to a Swiss Business
To qualify as a sponsor, UK businesses must have a trading presence outside the UK and a contractual link to an overseas business, meeting specific criteria including key personnel and compliance systems.
How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help
Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.
Our UK visa and immigration services for Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) residing in Switzerland encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, along with a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland.
Our experienced business immigration lawyers assist employers and employees across various industries and company sizes, ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws, securing sponsor licences, and providing expert guidance tailored to your needs.
For reliable and clear immigration advice, contact our dedicated team committed to meeting your business immigration requirements with professionalism and efficiency.
WE CAN ALSO ASSIST WITH
Applications for extension of stay as a Secondment Worker by Swiss Citizens and non-Swiss Citizens
If your application for a Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa is approved, you will be granted entry clearance or permission to stay for either 1 year after the start date of the job detailed in your Certificate of Sponsorship, the time given on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, the date on which you will have had continuous permission as a Secondment Worker totalling 2 years or the date on which you will have had cumulative permission in the Global Business Mobility routes totalling 5 years in any 6-year period, whichever is shorter.
You will be able to extend your stay in the UK on the Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker route up to a maximum period of 5 years in any 6 year period.
Applications for settlement by Secondment Workers from Switzerland
The Global Business Mobility: Secondment Worker Visa does not lead to settlement in the UK. However, you may be able to switch into another immigration route which does lead to settlement.
You may also be eligible to extend your stay until you qualify for settlement on the basis of Long Residence.
Fresh applications, Administrative reviews and Judicial reviews for Secondment Workers from Switzerland
If your application for entry clearance or leave to remain as a Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Migrant has been refused, our immigration barristers can advise on the merits of making a fresh application or challenging the decision.
If the decision-maker failed to apply the Immigration Rules or Home Office policy correctly, we can bring Administrative Review proceedings to challenge the decision.
If the decision to refuse your application was unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally improper, our immigration barristers can apply for Judicial Review and provide representation at Judicial Review hearings.
Obtaining a Secondment Worker Sponsor Licence for a UK Business Linked to a Swiss Business
In order to obtain a Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa, applicants need to be sponsored by an employer that is authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Secondment Worker.
Our business immigration barristers assist UK employers to obtain the right sponsor licence, maintain their licence at the highest rating and comply with their sponsor duties.
Whether you require advice on the correct company-related documentation to provide in support of a Secondment Worker sponsor licence application, assistance with drafting a compelling business case that will satisfy UKVI that you need a sponsor licence in order to fill a genuine role or guidance on running a compliant recruitment process, our immigration barristers can manage the sponsor licence application process on your behalf.
Applications for Skilled Worker Visas by Residents of Switzerland
The Skilled Worker Visa is open to individuals of all nationalities (except British and Irish) who have an offer of an eligible skilled job in the UK from a Home Office-approved sponsor. The route can lead to settlement and applicants can be joined by dependent partners and children.
In order to qualify for a Skilled Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
You are aged 18 or over;
You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you are planning to do;
Your job offer is a genuine vacancy;
Your sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge;
Your job is at an appropriate skill level;
You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0);
You will be paid a salary which equals or exceeds both a general salary threshold and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation;
You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
You have provided a criminal record certificate, if required; and
You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
WHAT CAN WE HELP YOU WITH?
To arrange a consultation meeting, call our UK immigration lawyers in Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or fill out the form below.
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