UK Temporary Work International Agreement visa

UK Temporary Work International Agreement visa

 You can apply for a Temporary Work – International Agreement visa if you’ll be contracted to do work covered by international law or treaty while in the UK. 

Your work in the UK must be for an overseas government or international organisation, as a private servant in a diplomatic household or as an employee in the household of someone who works for a ‘recognised international organisation’

You can stay for 2 years, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus up to 28 days, whichever is shorter.

This visa has replaced the Temporary Worker – International Agreement Worker visa (T5).

➤ You must be 18 or over when you apply

➤ You can apply for a Temporary Work visa for for an overseas government or international organisation, as a private servant in a diplomatic household, or as an employee in the household of someone who works for a ‘recognised international organisation’

➤ You need to be sponsored (have a certificate of sponsorship from a licensed employer) before you can apply to come to the UK

➤ A certificate of sponsorship is a unique reference number that holds information about you and your job. It’s not an actual certificate or paper document. Your sponsor will give you the certificate of sponsorship

➤ Your sponsor must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship

➤ You must have a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher

➤ The work you do in the UK must relate to the work of your sponsor organisation

➤ You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship

➤ Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK, 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

➤ Application fee - The application fee for each person applying is £259. The fee is the same whether you’re applying from inside or outside the UK

➤ You must pay the healthcare surcharge, which is usually £624 per year 

➤ You must have enough money to support yourself in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

➤ Your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

➤ Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours. £285 for your partner, £315 for one child, £200 for each additional child

➤ You must have tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

➤ You can enter the UK 14 days before the start date on your certificate of sponsorship

You may be asked to leave the UK within 60 days if your job finishes early. It’s unlikely you’ll have to leave if your visa has less than 60 days remaining.

➤ You must have tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

➤ You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

study - for some courses you’ll need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme certificate

work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship

do a second job on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list or one in the same sector as your main job for up to 20 hours per week (unless you are a private servant)

study, as long as it does not interfere with the job you’re sponsored for

travel abroad and return to the UK

bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible

You cannot:

get public funds

start working before you get your visaa