UK Overseas Domestic Worker Visa

The UK Overseas Domestic Worker visa (also known as the Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa) is a short-term entry clearance for individuals employed as domestic staff by overseas employers. It allows you to accompany your employer (or their family) to the UK for up to six months to continue your duties. Eligible domestic roles include cleaners, chauffeurs, cooks, personal carers, nannies and similar household positions. This visa is strictly temporary – holders must return home at the end of six months and it does not lead to settlement in the UK.

To qualify for an Overseas Domestic Worker visa, you (the worker) and your employer must meet several conditions: 

• Age and work history: You must be aged 19 or older and have worked as a full-time domestic worker for the same employer for at least 12 months immediately before applying. 
• Living arrangements: You must have lived in the same household (or a regularly used household) as your employer for that year. 
• Accompanying the employer: You must intend to travel to the UK with your employer (or their partner/children under 18) and work full-time in the household where your employer will reside. 
• Return plan: You must plan to leave the UK at the end of your six-month stay. 
• Financial support: You must be able to support yourself without recourse to public funds or your employer can support you (This means you need evidence you can fund your stay, as you are not eligible for UK benefits.) 
• Employer status: Your employer must be a British citizen (normally living abroad) or a foreign national visiting the UK for less than six months, and they must not intend to stay in the UK beyond six months. 
• Wages: Your employer must agree to pay you at least the UK National Minimum Wage for your role. 

Failing to satisfy any of these conditions will render you ineligible.

You must apply online from outside the UK via the official UK Visas and Immigration website. You can submit your application up to 3 months before your planned travel date. Once you apply, you will need to attend a local visa application centre to have your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) taken. The standard processing time for an application made from overseas is about 3 weeks. The Home Office also offers a paid “priority” service for faster decision-making if you need it.

When you apply, you must provide a complete application form and supporting documents, including: 

• Passport/travel ID: Your current passport or valid travel document with at least one blank page for the visa. 
• Financial evidence: Proof you can support yourself in the UK (e.g. bank statements or payslips for the last 6 months). 
• Domestic Worker Appendix: A signed copy of the Appendix: Statement of the worker and the employer form. This form (provided by the Home Office) must be completed and signed by both you and your employer. 
• Employer’s letter: A letter from your employer confirming your job title, how long you’ve worked for them, and that you are a permanent employee. 
• Proof of employment: At least one document covering your entire 12-month employment with this employer. This could be pay slips or bank statements showing salary payments, official tax or social security records, your employment contract, or a valid work visa/permit for the country where you are employed. 
• Accommodation and wage evidence: If asked, evidence that your employer will provide you with accommodation or pay you at least the minimum wage. 
• Translations: Any document not in English (or Welsh) must be accompanied by a certified translation. 

It is vital to submit all required documents. Missing or incomplete paperwork (for example, failing to provide the Appendix form, a payslip, or translations) is a common reason for refusal.

An Overseas Domestic Worker visa is valid for a maximum of six months from the date of entry. You must leave the UK on or before the visa expiry date. The rules are explicit that this visa cannot be extended beyond six months. The only exception is for very old “Domestic Worker in a Private Household” visas issued before April 2012, which had their own extension provisions. That route is now closed to new applicants.

While in the UK on this visa, you must comply with all standard visitor/temporary-worker conditions. In particular: you must continue working as a domestic worker for your sponsoring employer and live in the employer’s household. You may not undertake any other employment or run a business. You cannot claim public funds or benefits during your stay. You must also continue to meet the conditions that were assessed at the time of application (for example, your employer still paying the minimum wage and you still living with them). Breaching these conditions can lead to visa cancellation or refusal of future applications.

Under this visa, the only permitted activity is performing your agreed domestic worker duties in the household specified in your application. You are allowed to work for your employer in the same capacity for which the visa was granted. You may also travel abroad and return to the UK during your visa validity (for example, short trips to a neighbouring country are permitted). Importantly, you may change to another UK employer only if the new position is also as a full-time domestic worker in a private household and you do not extend your stay beyond six months. (Each employer must meet the same visa criteria as the original employer.) These are essentially the only activities you may undertake.

You cannot engage in any other type of work or activity outside your domestic duties. For example, you cannot take on a second job, become self-employed, or study full-time. You are also forbidden from accessing public benefits or funds (no welfare, no state benefits).

The rules explicitly state you cannot live in the UK by abusing the system through frequent repeated visits – long-term residency via serial stays is not permitted. Finally, as noted above, there is no extension or long-term settlement on this visa route – you must leave after six months.

Yes, you may change employers under this visa, but only under strict conditions. You are allowed to switch to a new qualifying job as a domestic worker in another private household, provided that your total stay in the UK (with both employers combined) does not exceed six months. The new employer must meet the same visa requirements (e.g. paying at least the minimum wage and not remaining beyond six months in the UK). You cannot use changing employers as a way to stay longer; the six‑month maximum still applies.

Under current rules, an Overseas Domestic Worker visa cannot be extended. The Home Office guidance is clear that holders must return home at the end of the six-month period. In other words, there is no standard route to apply for more time under this visa. (As noted, the only exceptions were “legacy” visas issued under pre-2012 rules. Those individuals had a limited right to extend up to six months, but that provision no longer applies to new applicants.) If you wish to return to the UK later, you would need to make a new application (for example, again as a domestic worker with a qualifying employer).

The Overseas Domestic Worker visa is strictly temporary and does not lead to settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK. It is intended only for short visits (up to 6 months) to perform domestic work. There is no transition from this visa to any long-term settlement route. Once you have completed your stay and returned home, you would need to qualify under a different category if you later wish to live in the UK permanently (for example, as a skilled worker, family member, etc., if eligible).

The application fee for the Overseas Domestic Worker visa is £682 (this is subject to change, so always check the current fee on gov.uk). This fee covers the standard processing time. If you choose to pay for priority processing, an additional fee will apply. Note that applicants must also pay any overseas visa centre fees (for example, for biometric enrolment).

The Home Office aims to make a decision on a complete Overseas Domestic Worker visa application within 3 weeks when applied from outside the UK. This is the standard processing time after you submit your documents and biometrics. In urgent cases you can pay extra for a “priority” or “super-priority” service to get a faster decision (often within a few days), but such services are not guaranteed and may not be available in all countries.

Applications can be refused for various reasons. Three of the most common are: 

• Failing core eligibility requirements: If you do not meet one of the mandatory criteria (for example, not having worked the full 12 months for your employer, not planning to leave after 6 months, or being under 19) the visa must be refused. Similarly, if your employer does not meet the rules (e.g. they intend to stay in the UK beyond six months), this can also trigger refusal.
• Incomplete or insufficient documentation: Many refusals occur because applicants did not submit all required evidence. For instance, if the Appendix form is missing or unsigned, the employer’s letter is absent, or proof of salary (payslips, bank statements) is inadequate, the caseworker cannot verify your employment or support. Failing to provide translations of foreign documents can also lead to refusal.
• Not meeting financial/contractual obligations: If you cannot demonstrate that you can support yourself (and your employer can support you) in the UK, or if it appears your employer will not pay at least the minimum wage, the visa will be refused. Inconsistencies or doubts about the genuineness of your job offer and living arrangements can also cause refusal.

The UK takes the protection of migrant domestic workers seriously. If you have been subjected to abuse, forced labour, or trafficking, you may be eligible for special support and a different visa route under the Modern Slavery provisions. Specifically, a domestic worker who entered the UK on this visa and is confirmed as a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking (by obtaining a “conclusive grounds” decision from the Single Competent Authority) can apply to stay in the UK for up to 2 years. This application must be made within 28 days of receiving the conclusive grounds decision. During the 2-year period granted, you would be allowed to work as a domestic worker in the UK and can change jobs if needed. Importantly, the Home Office will automatically consider discretionary leave for confirmed victims of modern slavery, even without a separate application.

In practical terms, if you are suffering abuse, you should seek help immediately. You can contact the police or a designated “First Responder” organisation for example, charities to start a referral to the National Referral Mechanism. These organisations can help you get the conclusive grounds decision and advise on making the victim visa application. Conroy Baker Ltd can also guide you through these processes, ensure your safety needs are met, and help you access any available protection.

Conroy Baker Ltd is a specialist UK immigration law firm with extensive experience in domestic worker cases. We can provide comprehensive assistance at every stage:

• Eligibility assessment: We will review your personal and employment situation to confirm that you meet the visa requirements (age, 12 months’ employment, employer status, etc.). If there are any potential issues (for example, employment gaps or sponsor concerns), we will advise how to address them.
• Document preparation and review: We assist in gathering and preparing all necessary documents. This includes helping you and your employer correctly complete and sign the Appendix: Statement form, drafting the employer’s support letter, organizing payslips or contracts, and ensuring any foreign documents are translated. We check all paperwork thoroughly to avoid omissions that could lead to refusal.
• Application process guidance: We guide you through the online application process, advising on accurate completion of the form. We can help you book appointments at the visa center for biometrics. We also advise on paying the correct fees and selecting any premium services if needed.
• Legal compliance and advocacy: We ensure that the terms of your employment meet UK legal standards (for example, minimum wage compliance) and explain your rights as a worker in the UK. If any issues arise—such as discrepancies in the paperwork or changes in your situation—we will provide clear legal advice.
• After-submission support: Once your application is submitted, we can liaise with UKVI on your behalf if necessary. If your visa is refused, we can advise on the grounds for refusal and handle any Administrative Review or appeals, preparing the strongest possible case to overturn the decision.
• Support for vulnerable applicants: If there is any hint of abuse or trafficking, our team can immediately connect you with the appropriate support services and help switch your application to the victim route. We have experience working with NGOs and authorities in such cases to protect your rights.

Throughout the process, Conroy Baker Ltd will keep you informed with clear, timely updates, answering your questions in a client-focused manner. Our goal is to provide the high level of care and expertise typical of a top UK immigration firm, giving you confidence that your domestic worker visa application is handled thoroughly and professionally.

Get in Touch

• Phone: +44 203 773 2948
• Email: [email protected]
• Book a consultation: https://conroybaker.com/contact-us/

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