Overseas Domestic Worker Visa UK

For families visiting the United Kingdom, the need for trusted domestic staff is often essential. Workers who have been employed in a private household for at least one year may qualify for an Overseas Domestic Worker Visa, enabling them to accompany their employer temporarily to the UK. Eligible workers include those providing personal care for their employer or family members, such as nannies, cleaners, chauffeurs, and cooks.

This article explains the visa rules, including eligibility and application requirements, what this visa allows, and the rights and responsibilities of workers in the UK.

Who Can Apply for an Overseas Domestic Worker Visa?

Both the worker and their employer must meet specific requirements.

Worker Eligibility Requirements

Under Appendix Overseas Domestic Worker of the Immigration Rules, an applicant must demonstrate that they:

• are aged 19 or over on the date of application
• work within their employer’s household
• are employed in domestic service, such as housekeeping, cleaning, cooking, driving, gardening, or providing personal care (e.g. nanny or nurse)
• have been employed by their current employer for at least 12 months prior to applying
• intend to travel to the UK with their employer, or with members of the employer’s household, for a visit not exceeding six months
• intend to leave the UK at the end of the authorised stay, or at the same time as their employer, whichever is earlier, and
• can financially support themselves while in the UK.

Employer Requirements

The employer must be either:

• a British citizen whose usual residence is outside the UK and who does not intend to remain in the UK beyond six months, or
• a foreign national visiting under the UK’s visitor rules who does not intend to remain for more than six months.

If your employer is visiting the UK, you must travel with them, their husband, wife or child.

If the employer is settled or intends to relocate permanently, the application will be refused.

What Is Required in the Written Contract?

A written contract is a mandatory requirement and must comply with Appendix Domestic Worker Statement. It should confirm:

• hours of work
• rate of pay
• holiday entitlement
• accommodation arrangements, and
• confirmation that the employer will not retain the worker’s passport.

Importantly, all domestic workers must be paid at least the UK National Minimum Wage, regardless of their salary abroad. Breach of this requirement risks liability under UK employment law.

How Do I Prove 12 Months’ Continuous Employment?

Applicants must show they have worked for the same employer for at least 12 months before applying. Acceptable evidence includes:

• payslips and bank statements showing salary payments
• employer letters or contracts
• tax or insurance records
• residence permits or visas showing employment abroad
• evidence of previous travel with the employer

Incomplete or inconsistent records are a common reason for refusal.

Can I Apply for Repeat Visits?

The visa allows multiple applications, but it is not intended to enable residence in the UK. The Home Office will review travel patterns, and may refuse if it appears the worker is effectively living in the UK by making back-to-back applications.

For example, a nanny accompanying her employer to London for six months each year may face refusal if the family increasingly treats the UK as their main base.

What Is the Application Process?

Applications must be submitted outside the UK and involve:

• Online form – complete the application on the Home Office website.
• Application fee – currently £682.
• Biometric enrolment – fingerprints and photograph at a visa application centre.
• Supporting documents – contracts, employer letters, and financial evidence.
• Processing time – usually three weeks, though this may vary. Priority services may be available.

What Supporting Documents Do I Need?

The documents required in your application will depend on your circumstances. Generally, these will include:

• a valid passport or travel document
• financial evidence of self-support
• an employer’s letter confirming employment, length of service, and that the employment continues
• two signed copies of the written employment agreement

To prove 12 months’ employment, further evidence may include payslips, contracts, tax records, bank statements, or previous visas. Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by certified translations.

What Are My Rights and Responsibilities?

The Overseas Domestic Worker visa is tightly regulated. Workers must note that:

• the maximum stay is six months
• the visa cannot be extended or switched into another route
• dependants cannot accompany them
• public funds cannot be accessed

Domestic workers are entitled to UK employment protections, including:

• payment at least at the National Minimum Wage
• safe working conditions
• the right to keep personal documents
• freedom from forced labour or exploitation

Employers who breach these protections may face civil penalties or criminal prosecution, including under modern slavery laws. 

Further guidance can be found at Information for persons coming to the UK as an overseas domestic worker.

Overseas Domestic Worker Visa Advice 

Applications under the Overseas Domestic Worker route require careful preparation. Our immigration expertise ensures applications are properly prepared, reducing the risk of refusal and ensuring compliance with the Immigration Rules.

We understand that accurate and timely advice is often the difference between success and refusal. With our extensive experience in UK immigration law, we deliver tailored, reliable, and results-focused advice to ensure that every application is presented to the highest standard.

Reach out to our friendly professional immigration team on +44 208 757 5751 or use our contact form. 

Frequently Asked Questions