How to get overseas domestic worker visa for the UK?

 When you travel to the UK, do you want to take your nanny or maid on vacation? If so, you can apply for a visa for an international domestic helper.

To be eligible, a candidate must be a domestic worker, such as a nanny or cleaner who works in a private home or a chauffeur or cook who provides personal care for the employer and their family.  The applicant must be over the age of 19 and have been employed by the company for at least a year before submitting the application. 

The worker must be capable of subsisting on their own in the UK without the aid of the government.  As a result, the company must pay the employee at least the national minimum wage while they are in the UK.

If the employer is a British citizen who typically resides abroad and who does not intend to stay in the UK for more than six months or a foreign citizen who is visiting the UK with no intention of staying for more than six months, the worker may apply to travel with the employer.

Along with completing the online application form, the applicant must submit a number of supporting documents, such as their passport, any work visas they may have from the country where they are applying, evidence that they can support themselves throughout the entire trip, bank statements, pay stubs, a statement signed by both the applicant and the employer, their employment contract, and a letter from the employer confirming their job title and length of employment. 

With this visa, what can I do?

An overseas domestic visa will allow you to:

• Visit another country, then come back to the UK to finish your stay
• Change employers and work as a domestic helper in a private home (as long as your stay doesn't go above the allotted six months)

Be aware that you won't be able to

• employment outside of being a domestic worker in a private home
• Long-term residence in the UK involving regular trips there
• use government funds

Once a choice has been made, the employee may go to the UK for up to 6 months with their employer. Both the employee and the employer must return to their country of residence before or after the first six months are up under this visa, which cannot be extended. 

This visa may be requested up to three months in advance of the anticipated departure date.  Decisions are typically given within three weeks, assuming the application is valid, any supporting papers need to be verified, or an interview is required.

The information presented here is not intended to be particular legal advice but rather a general opinion on the topic.  Prior to submitting any applications, it is advised to get updated information on the applicable Laws, Rules, Regulations, and requirements as the material in the article is subject to change.  Please get in touch with one of the UK immigration lawyers in Dubai if you need special guidance on an overseas domestic worker visa for the UK or any other UK immigration issue.

Before departing for the UK, you must submit an online Overseas Domestic Worker visa application through the Gov. UK website.

Up to three months before to your intended arrival in the UK, you may apply for a visa.

You must complete an application form with your personal information and attach any supporting documentation if you are applying online.

Additionally, you will need to visit a nearby visa application center or consult one of the UK immigration lawyers in Dubai to provide your biometric data, including your fingerprints and a picture.