International Agreement Worker Visa

A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic record given to you by your employer with the details of your sponsorship such as your job title, the intended length of your employment, and your immigration status.

In the points-based immigration system, applicants must achieve a total of 40 points in order to be eligible.

The Certificate of Sponsorship is weighted heavily for the visa category at 30 points. Other requirements fill in the remaining points.

Your international sponsor must meet certain requirements to be eligible as well, including holding a valid UK sponsor license that proves they have the ability to issue a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.

If you have questions regarding your eligibility for an International Agreement Worker Visa, contact a qualified immigration lawyer who can assist you in determining whether you are eligible for this or other visas.

There are several steps in the application process for this visa.

Visas that require you to have a sponsor may be more difficult to obtain than visas that do not require sponsorship. A qualified immigration lawyer can advise you on the most efficient visa route for your situation.

1. Certificate of Sponsorship
   First, you must receive a job offer from an eligible sponsor. They will give you a certificate of sponsorship which you will need to provide as evidence at the time of application.
2. Prepare your Supporting Documents
   Preparing your supporting documents ahead of time can be beneficial as it may take some time to gather them. Documents that are not originally in English or Welsh will need to be provided along with certified translated copies.
   It is recommended to begin the visa application process up to three months before you intend to start working in the UK, and postpone making travel plans until your visa is approved.
3. Submit Your Application Online
   Fill out the application for the International Agreement Worker Visa online at the UK government website, upload your supporting documents, and pay the application fee.
4. Verify Your Identity
   When you apply for a visa, you must verify your identity. You can simply use the UK Immigration: ID Check the app to scan your passport. Or, if your passport is not compatible with the ID Check app, you can have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application service centre by booking a biometric information appointment.
5. Wait for Your Visa Decision
   Once your application and identification information has been submitted, you have to wait for approximately three weeks for a decision on your visa. If approved, you can then begin making plans to travel to the UK.

Note that being approved for a visa is considered entry clearance to the UK, but does not necessarily guarantee entry.

Immigration control has the final say over who is allowed into the country.

You will be required to provide a variety of documents when submitting your visa application.

Documents are required in order to prove your identity and support your claim for the visa.

Documents may include:

• The receipt of your visa application
• The reference number from your certificate of sponsorship
• Your birth certificate
• Your current passport and previous passports
• Your international sponsor’s license number
• Proof that you meet the financial requirements.
  This can include bank account statements showing a minimum amount of funds for both you and any dependent family members who will be joining you in the UK

There are several fees associated with the International Agreement Worker Visa. These are:

• £319 visa application fee
• £19 biometric information fee
• £1035 per year for the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge

Fees are approximate. You may incur additional charges for services such as the translation of documents.

In addition to these costs and fees, a requirement of the International Agreement Worker Visa requires applicants to have at least £1,270 in a bank account for at least 28 days prior to applying for the visa. You will be required to show additional funds for dependent family members, including £285 for a spouse or partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each additional child.

Applicants may be exempt from the financial requirement if:

• They have been living in the UK for 12 months on another valid visa
• Their sponsor has agreed to cover living costs for the first month in the UK of an amount up to £1,270. This must be indicated as “sponsor certifies maintenance” on the Certificate of Sponsorship

The International Agreement Worker Visa can be extended. The extension times vary depending on the sector in which temporary workers are employed. For example, for private servants working in diplomatic households, the extension time allowed will be 24 months at a time or the time period stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 28 days, whichever is the shorter time. The maximum time of total extensions can equal five years.

In contrast, those working as independent professionals or contractual service suppliers are generally permitted to extend their visa for six months unless they meet specific requirements, such as:

• Providing services under the Temporary Agreement on Services Mobility between the Swiss Confederation and the UK. In this situation, the extension can be granted for up to 12 months in a 24-month period.
• Providing services under the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement, where the extension can be granted for a maximum period of 12 months.

It generally takes about 3 weeks to receive a decision after applying online from outside of the UK, however processing times may be delayed up to about 7 weeks.

It is recommended to wait until you receive your visa decision to book your travel plans to the UK.

You may be able to expedite your visa decision by booking an appointment.

Working with a qualified immigration lawyer to put together your application will ensure that you have the best chances of approval according to your circumstances.

An immigration advisor will review your application to check that it is complete and accurate according to your supporting documentation and that you are not missing any required documents.