UK International Agreement Visa

The UK International Agreement Visa is a special type of visa for people who need to work in the UK due to international law or treaty obligations. This includes workers who are part of international agreements, such as employees of foreign governments, private servants in diplomatic households, and employees of international organizations like the United Nations.

The visa allows you to immigrate to UK for up to 2 years, with the possibility of an extension. It also lets you bring your family members with you. This visa is ideal for those involved in diplomatic, governmental, or international work that requires them to be in the UK.

Apply for UK International Agreement Visa

UK International Agreement Visa Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the UK International Agreement Visa, you must:

• Be over 18 years old when you apply: You must be over 18 years old when you apply for the UK International Agreement Visa.

• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer: Your employer or sponsor will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that outlines your job in the UK. This is an electronic record rather than a physical document. When you apply for your visa, you will need the reference number from the CoS. Be sure to apply for the UK International Agreement Visa within three months of receiving the CoS.

• Be paid in the minimum salary: You must be paid the minimum salary as set by Equity, PACT, or BECTU (except for models, musicians, or circuses).

• Have enough money to support yourself in the UK: You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to demonstrate your financial ability to support yourself in the UK.

• Prove your knowledge of English: To apply for UK International Agreement Visa, you must prove that you can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least Level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

UK International Agreement Visa Documents Required

When applying for the UK International Agreement Visa, you will need to provide:

• Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
• A valid passport and other identity documents.
• Evidence of funds to support yourself in the UK.
• Proof of knowledge of English.
• Proof of relationship with your partner and dependents if they are applying with you.
• Your tuberculosis test results.

You must provide a certified translation if your documents are not in English or Welsh. You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

How to apply for UK International Agreement Visa?

You must apply for UK International Agreement Visa online. How you apply depends on whether you are residing:

• Outside the UK.
• Inside the UK and extending your current visa.
• Inside the UK and switching from a different visa.

Your partner and children can also apply with you to stay in the UK as your ‘dependents’ if they are eligible.

Note: The application process for UK International Agreement Visa can get a bit complex, especially for first-timers. Seek guidance from the best UK Immigration Consultants in India at Nationwide Visas if you are having trouble.

Get FREE Consultation

UK International Agreement Visa Costs

Application costs

The standard application fee for UK International Agreement Visa is £298.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show that you can support yourself in the UK. These funds must be maintained for at least 28 consecutive days, with the final day within 31 days of your visa application. Additionally, your partner and children must also demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the UK. You - or your partner or child - will need:

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

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay in the UK - this is usually £1,035 per year.

UK International Agreement Visa Processing Time

The latest UK Visa processing time for the International Agreement Visa is 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK and 8 weeks if you apply from within the UK. You may also have the option to pay for a super-priority service for faster processing.

You can apply for this visa up to 3 months before your start date in the UK, which is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

UK International Agreement Visa Validity

The UK International Agreement Visa validity depends on the type of work you do.

• If you are an overseas government worker or international organization worker, you can stay for up to 2 years or the time given on your CoS plus 14 days - whichever is shorter.
• If you are a private servant in a diplomatic household, you can stay for up to 5 years. You can apply for up to 2 years at a time or the time given on your CoS plus 14 days - whichever is shorter.

You can enter the UK on the date your visa starts.

UK International Agreement Visa Extension

You can usually apply for UK International Agreement Visa extension and stay in the UK if you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

If you are a private servant, you do not need to prove your English when you apply for an extension. You must prove that you have received your salary in the 3 months before you apply. You must provide both:

• 3 months of payslips.
• Proof that you have received your salary in your bank account.

You must apply for this extension from within the UK.

Need help?

Connect with Nationwide Visas, one of the best UK Immigration Consultants in India. Our team will evaluate your case, offering the best solutions to immigrate to UK under the International Agreement Visa. Whether you need help with your application, documentation, or finding jobs - we’ve got you covered. Get a free consultation session and determine the best option to apply for your situation.