Appendix: Temporary Work-International Agreement

Table Of Contents:

1. What Is the Temporary Work—International Agreement Visa
2. Who is an International Agreement Worker
3. Who Can Apply
4. Documents Required
5. How to Apply for a Temporary Work-International Agreement Visa
6. How Long Can You Stay in the UK
7. Final Thoughts

The Appendix Temporary Work—International Agreement visa allows you to come to the UK to work covered under an international agreement. The route in Appendix Temporary Work—International Agreement falls under the Immigration Rules. 

The visa allows overseas workers to perform services in the UK as part of a treaty, trade agreement, or diplomatic arrangement. This is a temporary visa route. This allows contracted workers to work in the UK under international law or treaty.

What Is the Temporary Work—International Agreement Visa?

The International Agreement visa is a type of temporary work visa for individuals who are applying for or have entry clearance or permission to stay on the International Agreement route. These individuals include:

• Contractual service suppliers or independent professionals working under trade agreements like the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS),
• Overseas government employees or employees of international organizations, or
• Private servants in diplomatic households.

This visa category exists to honor the UK’s commitments under international law and global trade deals.

Who is an International Agreement Worker?

There are two categories of International Agreement workers.

1. Private servants in diplomatic households
2. Employees of overseas governments and recognized international organizations

Who Can Apply?

You may meet the eligibility requirements in Appendix Temporary Work—International Agreement.

1. Age –

You must be aged 18 or above on the date of application for entry clearance or permission to stay.

2. Certificate of Sponsorship –

You must have received a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-based sponsor. A COS is a unique reference number that you need to add to your application. It holds information about your job.

3. A Valid Job Offer –

You must have a job offer that falls under an international agreement recognized by the UK government. You must intend to and be able to do the role for which you are being sponsored. You must not intend to undertake employment other than in the role for which you are being sponsored or as otherwise permitted by your conditions of stay.

4. Minimum Wage Requirement –

Your employer must pay you at least the National Minimum Wage and they also must comply with working time regulations for the number of hours a week you work.

5. Relationship Requirement –

You must be married or in a civil partnership with your spouse/partner. Your marriage or civil partnership must be recognized in the UK. If your children are also applying, he/she must live with you, unless they are living away from home in full-time education—for example, at boarding school or university. They must not be married or in a civil partnership.

6. Financial Requirement –

Unless exempt, you must meet the financial requirement. For this, you must have savings of at least £1,270 in your bank account. If your partner and children are also applying at the same time as you, they must be able to support themselves in the UK. The amount required for them is

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

The amount required for you and your dependents must be held for at least 28 days in a row within 31 days of applying for this visa.

Your sponsor can also cover you and your dependent partner and children for the first month in the UK and Your COS must confirm this if your sponsor is going to cover your and your dependent’s first month’s expenses.

You don’t need to prove the minimum savings amount required in your bank account if you have been in the UK for more than 12 months on another visa.

7. Knowledge of English –

Not every applicant needs to prove their proficiency in the English language. However, if you are applying from outside the UK as a private servant, you need to prove your knowledge of English to at least CEFR level B1.

You can prove your knowledge of English by passing an English language test, SELT (Secure English Language Test), from an approved test provider.

You can also meet the English language requirement by having a GCSE, A-level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher, or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18.

If you studied in the UK at degree level, you automatically meet the English language requirement. If you studied abroad, you will need to apply through Ecctis.

You don’t need to meet the English language requirement if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

You may have to meet more requirements depending on your circumstances.

Documents Required

You need to submit the following documents:

COS Reference Number –

You will get it from your UK sponsor. You need to add a COS reference to your Temporary Work-International Agreement visa.

A Valid Passport or Travel Document –

In order to prove your identity and nationality, you need to submit your passport or other travel document.

Bank Statement –

If you are going to meet your expenses in the UK yourself, you need to show your bank statement to prove that you have at least £1,270 as savings. If your sponsor is going to cover your expenses, it must be mentioned in your COS.

Proof of Knowledge of English –

If you are going to work as a private servant, you need to prove your proficiency in the English language. For this, you need to provide documents such as an SELT certificate (if you have passed the SELT test from an approved test provider) or a degree-level academic qualification document, etc.

Proof of Relationship with Your Partner and Children –

For this you need to submit documents such as the marriage certificate and birth certificate of your children.

TB Test Results –

If applicable, you need to submit your TB test certificate to prove that you are free from the disease.

A Valid ATAS Certificate –

You need this if your employer tells you so because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at the PhD level or higher.

Certified Translated Copies of Documents –

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you need to get them translated into one of these two languages.

You may have to submit more documents depending on your circumstances.

How to Apply for a Temporary Work-International Agreement Visa?

You must apply online. You need to prove your identity as part of the application. Depending on where you are from and what type of passport you have, you can either scan your identity through the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app or you can enroll your biometric information (your fingerprints and digital photograph) at a VAC (visa application center) in your country.

How Long Can You Stay in the UK?

Temporary Work—International Agreement workers can come to the UK for up to 24 months. A private servant in a diplomatic household can extend their stay in the UK by up to 24 months at a time (up to an overall maximum stay of 5 years). This is not a route to settlement.

Final Thoughts

The Temporary Work—International Agreement visa UK offers a valuable opportunity for individuals coming under international commitments, such as trade agreements or diplomatic arrangements. It allows skilled professionals to temporarily contribute their expertise in sectors like law, diplomacy, or overseas government work.

While the visa is time-limited and doesn’t lead to permanent residency, it provides global exposure, work experience, and insight into the UK job market.

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