After the Secondment Worker Visa was introduced in 2022, foreign organizations started taking advantage of it to do temporary business in the UK. This increased trend encourages knowledge exchange, collaboration, networking and relationship building, cultural adaptability, and employee development.
Secondment is a temporary arrangement where a foreign company assigns an employee to work in a different company for a specified period. Naturally, the employee may still be working for the same organization, just in a foreign branch, or it could be part of a client arrangement.
As you prepare to apply for your Secondment Worker Visa, this article will guide you on the necessary requirements (like eligibility criteria and necessary documents), the step-by-step application process, and the benefits of employee secondment.
Understanding Secondment Worker Visas
The Secondment Worker Visa allows foreign employers to transfer an employee under a high-value contract to work for a different branch of their company based in the UK.
As part of the UK’s Global Business Mobility, the Secondment Worker Visa differs from other work visas, such as the Skilled Worker Visa. The first distinction is that the Secondment Worker Visa is for temporary work assignments, while other work visas are usually for permanent employment.
The second distinction is that the Secondment worker visa requires sponsorship from a UK-based company that is a beneficiary of a high-value contract, while the other work visa types simply require sponsorship from a UK employer.
Continuously, a Secondment Worker Visa holder cannot apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain or permanently settle in the UK (unless they switch visas), while the other work visa routes guarantee the holder’s settlement in the UK.
Furthermore, Secondment Worker Visa holders are restricted to the role and company specified in their Certificate of Sponsorship, while other work visa holders enjoy flexibility in terms of change of employers and employment opportunities.
Secondment visas are necessary because they afford businesses the flexibility to benefit from the skills and experience of employees without offering them permanent employment.
Decoding the Requirements for Secondment Worker Visas
Before a secondment, both the employer and employee should have a clear understanding of the agreement, such as roles, duration, purpose, responsibilities, financial implications, reintegration plan, professional adjustments, employee’s nationality and existing visa status, and the potential impact of the arrangement.
The criteria to apply for this visa differ by country, however, there are general requirements applicable to applicants. The applicant must be eighteen (18) years old or above. He/she must be working for a foreign company that has a high-profile contract with a UK sponsor (who will offer the Certificate of Sponsorship).
You must have been an employee for the foreign company for at least 12 months, and the new job you are applying for must be genuine and at an appropriate skill level. The contract may be required to be on a minimum threshold of 50 million.
You must prove that you have sufficient funds, i.e., a minimum amount of savings, to support yourself for at least the first month, and the money must have stayed in your account for 28 days. Your police certificate should prove that you have a clean criminal record, while your medical certificate should show that you are physically and mentally fit.
Essential Documents Needed for a Secondary Worker Visa
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- A valid passport.
- Proof of proficiency in the English language.
- Official documents showing job title and salary.
- TB test clearance certificate.
- Criminal record check
- Payment receipt for the application fee
- Financial documents.
- Completed visa application form.
- Proof of relationship (if applicable)
- Employment contract from the sending company.
- Birth certificate (if applicable).
- Passport-sized photographs
- Proof of qualifications and experience
- Letter of invitation from the host company
- Letter of assignment from the sending company.
Step-by-Step Application Process for the Secondment Worker Visa
- Verify your eligibility status.
- Request for a CoS from your UK sponsor.
- Complete the online application from the UK government’s official website.
- Upload documents needed to support your application.
- Schedule and attend a biometric appointment/interview either online through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or physically through a biometric appointment.
- Pay the application fee
- Submit application.
If your documents are not in English, you will need to submit an officially translated version of all documents during your application. Ensure that your documentation is complete and accurate, so that if there is any delay, you will know it’s not your fault.
Additionally, you may need the guidance of an immigration lawyer so that you don’t break any immigration laws or present false information.
Unveiling the Benefits of Employee Secondments
The Secondment Worker Visa guarantees mutual benefits for the sending employer, the employee, and the receiving employer. For the sending company, being able to send a skillful and knowledgeable worker can build a good global reputation.
The high-value contracts promote global collaboration and communication. The exchange program can help them birth future international leaders. It also helps them break into and explore new international markets.
For the employee, they get exposed to new cultures and work environments. It helps them to enhance their existing skills and experience personal growth. The international job experience helps them develop their career while enjoying increased compensation and benefits.
For the receiving company, they can fill skill vacancies with workers who have specialized skills and expertise. It helps to solidify the existing relationship with the parent company while encouraging cultural exchange and diversity among workers.
Bringing a skilled worker from a reputable company helps to facilitate knowledge transfer, fresh ideas, innovation, and best practices.
Implementing Best Practices for Successful Secondments
Having a successful secondment is quite easy if you implement best practices. First, you have to plan and prepare early enough by looking into logistics, the secondment agreement, and other information.
The companies involved need to hire an experienced immigration lawyer to handle the visa application process and facilitate clear communication between the sending and receiving companies and the employee.
The employee will require assistance in securing accommodation and settling in. Where the employee’s official language is not English, he/she will require official language training to at least communicate in basic terms with other workers.
