Domestic Workers in a Private Household

The Overseas Domestic Worker Visa allows domestic staff — such as cooks, cleaners, drivers, and childcarers — employed in a private household abroad to accompany their employer to the UK for a visit of up to six months.

To qualify, you must have been employed by your current employer for at least one year and be travelling to the UK with them. The employer must be coming to the UK for a visit — not to live here — and must continue to employ you and pay your wage for the duration of the visit.

Domestic workers in this category have significant legal rights in the UK. You are entitled to the National Living Wage (or National Minimum Wage, depending on age), legal working hours under the Working Time Regulations 1998, and protection from discrimination and exploitation under UK employment law.

If you are a domestic worker who has experienced exploitation, abuse, or underpayment while in the UK under this visa, you should seek legal advice immediately. There are specific protections in UK law for overseas domestic workers in these circumstances, and you may be entitled to change employers.

This visa cannot be extended and does not lead to settlement. However, where there are serious human rights concerns, other immigration routes may be available.

Terence Ray Solicitors provides specialist advice to overseas domestic workers on their rights and any immigration options available to them.

Call 020 3367 1430 or email info@trsolicitors.co.uk. All enquiries are treated with complete confidentiality.