UK International Agreement Visa

UK INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT VISA FOR SWISS RESIDENTS

The UK International Agreement Visa allows Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) resident in Switzerland to come to the UK to provide services covered by international law, such as private servants in diplomatic households or employees of overseas governments and international organisations.

The UK International Agreement Visa does not lead to settlement in the UK, but residents of Switzerland can stay in the UK for up to two years. Visa holders can also bring a dependent partner and children under 18.

UK International Agreement Visa Requirements for Swiss Nationals and non-Swiss Nationals in Switzerland

To qualify for a UK International Agreement Visa in Switzerland, you must meet the following criteria:

Age Requirement: You are at least 18 years old.
Role Specification: You are applying for a role as a private servant in a diplomatic household or as an employee of an overseas government or an international organisation established under an international treaty signed by the UK.
Role-Based Requirements: You meet the additional role-based requirements for the position you will work in.
Certificate of Sponsorship: You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a sponsor with a valid Temporary Work – International Agreement sponsor licence.
Genuine Intention: You genuinely intend to undertake the sponsored role and do not plan to take other employment.
Financial Stability: You have sufficient personal savings to support yourself in the UK.
General Grounds: Your application does not fall for refusal under general grounds for refusal.

The exact requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. Consulting a UK immigration law firm in Switzerland is advisable for personalised guidance on your UK visa application.

To discuss your UK International Agreement Visa application from Switzerland, contact our UK immigration lawyers in Switzerland, on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.

Role-Based Requirements for a Private Servant in a Diplomatic Household in Switzerland

As a Swiss citizen (or citizen of another nationality) residing in Switzerland, to qualify as a private servant in a diplomatic household, you must:

Employment Conditions: Be employed as a private servant by, and in the household of, either a staff member of a diplomatic or consular mission with diplomatic privileges and immunity as defined by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations or an official of an international organisation recognised by the UK government with diplomatic privileges or immunities.
Relationship Restrictions: Not be a relative of your employer or their spouse by blood or marriage.
Work Intentions: Intend to work full-time in the specified role and not take on any other employment.
Payment: Be paid at least the National Minimum Wage throughout your stay.
Evidence: Provide specified evidence of your employment terms and conditions and a signed statement from your sponsor confirming the role will not constitute work related to the employer’s family household under regulation 57 of the National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015.
Intent to Leave: Satisfy the Home Office that you intend to leave the UK at the end of your permitted stay.

Role-Based Requirements for an Employee of an Overseas Government or International Organisation in Switzerland

As a Swiss citizen (or citizen of another nationality) residing in Switzerland, to qualify as an employee of an overseas government or international organisation, you must:

Employment Contract: Be under a contract of employment with the overseas government or international organisation.
Role Intentions: Not intend to take any other role for your sponsor other than the one specified in your Certificate of Sponsorship.

International Agreement Worker Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement

To obtain a UK International Agreement Visa in Switzerland, you must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence. Your employer must sponsor either a private servant in a diplomatic household or an employee of an overseas government or international organisation recognised by the UK.

International Agreement Visa Genuine Job Requirement

To make a successful UK International Agreement Visa application in Switzerland, you must demonstrate that you intend to undertake the role for which you are sponsored and not engage in other employment.

Financial Requirement for Swiss Residents

Unless you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months or your sponsor agrees to cover your costs for the first month (confirmed on your Certificate of Sponsorship), you need at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 days, ending not more than 31 days before your visa application date.

English Language Requirement for Residents of Switzerland

There is no English language requirement for the Temporary Work – International Agreement Visa.

Duration of Stay on a UK International Agreement Visa

Successful UK International Agreement Visa applicants can stay in the UK for either 24 months or the duration stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus up to 14 days before and after that period, whichever is shorter.

Extensions of Stay

Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) who hold a UK International Agreement Visa may extend their stay for up to 24 months. Private servants must have worked for their sponsoring employer throughout their stay and intend to continue with the same employer.

Settlement in the UK

This visa does not lead to settlement, but you may switch to other immigration routes that can lead to indefinite leave to remain.

Switching into the International Agreement Route

Switching into the International Agreement Visa route from within the UK is not possible; applications must be made from outside the UK.

Conditions of Stay on a UK International Agreement Visa

International Agreement Visa holders from Switzerland can work for their UK sponsor in the specified role. Employees of overseas governments or international organisations (excluding private servants) can take a second job.

UK International Agreement Visa Processing Times in Switzerland

Most applications for UK International Agreement Visas submitted in Switzerland are decided within 3 weeks. Extensions are usually decided within 8 weeks, with priority services available for faster decisions.

Dependants

Visa holders can be joined by a dependent partner and children under 18.

Refusals

If your application for a UK International Agreement Visa is refused, you may reapply or seek an Administrative Review of the decision.

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 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 UK immigration lawyers assist private servants in diplomatic households and employees of overseas governments and international organisations to live and work in the UK. We provide clear, reliable UK immigration advice as part of a professional and friendly service.