Secondment Worker

The Secondment Worker route allows employees of overseas companies to be temporarily seconded to a UK business in connection with a high-value contract between the two companies.

This route differs from the Senior or Specialist Worker route in that the worker remains employed by the overseas company throughout the secondment. The UK business is the recipient of the services, not the employer of the seconded worker.

To qualify, there must be a contract between the overseas employer and the UK sponsor worth at least £50 million. The seconded worker must be a skilled employee of the overseas company and must be coming to the UK specifically to fulfil or support the execution of that contract.

A Secondment Worker Visa is granted for up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension in certain circumstances. The worker must be paid at least the required salary threshold throughout the secondment.

This is a relatively specialist route, and the documentation requirements — particularly around the high-value contract — can be onerous. Legal advice from the outset is strongly recommended.

Terence Ray Solicitors regularly advises multinational businesses and their HR teams on structuring compliant secondment arrangements and preparing robust visa applications.

Contact us on 020 3367 1430 or email info@trsolicitors.co.uk.