UK Overseas Domestic Worker Visa

What is the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa?

The Overseas Domestic Worker Visa allows foreign domestic workers to work in the UK temporarily, typically for up to 6 months. This visa is specifically designed for domestic roles, which include a wide range of services such as:

• cleaning
• chauffeuring
• cooking
• nannying
• personal care for the employer and their family

This visa is generally available only in specific circumstances and does not provide long-term employment or settlement options in the UK.

Visa Pathway

This visa does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship. The maximum stay is 6 months, making it suitable for temporary visits, not permanent relocation.

Dependents & Family Members

Dependents and family members cannot accompany or join you on this visa.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa, both the domestic worker and their employer must meet the visa eligibility requirements. The criteria are divided into two categories:

Domestic Worker Requirements

To qualify for the UK domestic worker visa, you must:

• Live outside the UK.
• Be at least 19 years old.
• Be employed as a domestic worker in a private household.
• Have worked for your overseas employer for at least 1 year before applying.
• Work in the same household as your employer or one they use regularly.
• Plan to travel to the UK with your employer, partner, or their children.
• Intend to work full-time as a full-time domestic worker in a UK household your employer will live in.
• Be able to support yourself without relying on public funds.
• Plan to leave the UK at the end of your 6-month stay.

Eligible roles for a full-time domestic worker include housekeeper, cleaner, cook, chauffeur, gardener, nanny, or carer.

Employer Requirements

Your employer must be either:

• A British citizen who usually lives outside the UK and does not intend to stay in the UK for more than 6 months, or
• A foreign citizen visiting the UK who does not intend to stay for more than 6 months.

Furthermore, your employer must pay you at least the UK national minimum wage while you are in the UK on a domestic worker visa.

National Minimum Wage Regulations

As a domestic worker on the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa, your employer must pay you at least the UK National Minimum Wage (NMW). The rates depend on your age and employment status.

Current National Minimum Wage Rates (from April 2024):

• Age 21 and over (National Living Wage): £11.44 per hour
• Ages 18 to 20: £8.60 per hour
• Apprentices (under 19 or in the first year of apprenticeship): £6.40 per hour

These rates are reviewed annually and are legally enforceable. Your employer must comply with these minimum pay requirements for the entire period you work in the UK.

Required Documentation

When applying for the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa, the documents you need to provide can differ depending on your personal circumstances, however, generally, all applicants will need to provide:

• A current passport (with a blank page) or other valid travel ID
• Proof you can support yourself during your stay—such as bank statements or payslips from the last 6 months.
• A completed ‘Appendix Domestic Worker Statement’, signed by both you and your employer.
• A letter from your employer confirming:
  • Job title
  • How long you’ve worked for them
  • That you are a permanent employee

What is the ‘Appendix Domestic Worker Statement’?

The Appendix Domestic Worker Statement is a required form confirming your employment details. It must be completed and signed by both you and your employer. The statement outlines your job role and how long you’ve worked for your employer and confirms that you will continue working for them while in the UK. It helps prove the legitimacy of your working relationship as part of your visa application. The Appendix Domestic Worker Statement template letter is available directly from the UK Gov website.

Proof of Employment

You must also provide at least one of the following to show your employment history with your employer (covering the same period):

• Pay slips or bank statements showing your salary payments
• Confirmation of tax paid
• Confirmation of health insurance paid
• Your contract of employment
• A valid work visa, residence permit, or similar passport endorsement for the country where you are employed
• Visas or passport stamps showing you’ve previously travelled with your employer

Visa Fees

The fee to apply for the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa is £637.

Processing Times

The standard visa processing time is three weeks, although this can vary depending on the volume of applications and the specific circumstances of each case.

Priority Services

For those needing a quicker decision, expedited services are available for an additional fee.

Priority Service: This service costs an additional £500 on top of the standard application fee and typically provides a decision within five working days.

Super-Priority Service: For an extra £1,000, the super-priority service aims to deliver a decision by the end of the next working day after your appointment, provided the appointment is on a weekday.

How to Apply for the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa

Applications for the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa are made online and must be made from outside the UK.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Make sure you meet all the requirements as a domestic worker, and your employer qualifies.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Collect your passport, proof you can support yourself, the ‘Appendix Domestic Worker Statement,’ and proof of your employment.

Step 3: Start Your Online Application

Create an account and begin the application on the UK government website.

Step 4: Complete the Application Form

Fill in your personal details and employment history.

Step 5: Pay the Application Fee

Submit payment online as part of your application.

Step 6: Upload Your Documents

Provide clear scanned copies of all required documents.

Step 7: Book and Attend a Biometric Appointment

Give your fingerprints and photographs at an overseas visa application centre.

Step 8: Wait for a Decision

Track your application online and wait for the outcome.

Conditions of Stay

While in the UK on an Overseas Domestic Worker Visa, you must follow these conditions:

• You can travel abroad and return to the UK during your stay as long as it’s within the visa’s 6-month validity.
• You may change employers in the UK, but only to another private household. You cannot extend your stay beyond 6 months.
• You must be paid at least the UK National Minimum Wage.
• You are entitled to written terms and conditions of employment, which cannot be changed without your consent.
• You cannot work in any other job or for an employer outside private households.
• You cannot access public funds during your stay.

Extensions

You cannot extend this visa. However, you can apply for a new Overseas Domestic Worker Visa.

Applicants must not use frequent or successive visits to remain in the UK long-term or to establish ongoing residence. You are required to leave the UK at the end of each 6-month stay.

Support for Victims of Modern Slavery

Victims of modern slavery can access support from various organizations, including the Salvation Army and the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline. These services are available in multiple languages to assist non-English speakers and can be critical resources for those in need.

Victims can report incidents to the police or contact confidential helplines for immediate assistance. Knowing where to turn for help is vital for those in exploitative situations.

Get Support With Overseas Domestic Worker Visa Applications

Applying for the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa requires careful attention to detail and a clear understanding of the rules. This guide covers the essentials, from eligibility and documentation to rights and conditions of stay.

For tailored advice and step-by-step support, QC Immigration’s experienced immigration lawyers offer expert guidance to domestic workers and their employers. We ensure you understand the eligibility and application requirements and help you submit a complete, compliant application from start to finish.