Overseas Domestic Worker Visa

Working in the UK as an Overseas Domestic Worker

The Overseas Domestic Worker visa is only available for people who live outside the UK, who are currently working as a domestic worker in a private household, have worked for their overseas employer as a domestic worker for at least a year and will accompany their existing employer, their partner, or children during a visit to the UK for up to 6 months.

Domestic workers include:

• cleaners
• chauffeurs
• cooks
• those providing personal care for the employer and their family; and
• nannies

The employer of an Overseas Domestic Worker must be either:

• a British citizen who usually lives outside the UK and who does not intend to remain in the UK for more than 6 months
• a foreign citizen who is coming to the UK on a visit and who does not intend to remain for more than 6 months

What can an Overseas Domestic Worker visa holder do in the UK?

An Overseas Domestic Worker can travel abroad and return to the UK during the 6-month validity period of their visa. They can change employers to another job as a domestic worker in a private household, but they cannot remain in the UK for more than 6 months in total.

A domestic worker cannot live in the UK through frequent or successive visits.

Overseas Domestic Workers are not permitted to work in any additional jobs. They will not be entitled to receive public funds in the UK.

An Overseas Domestic Worker must be paid at least the national minimum wage.

How can Freeths help?

Our team of immigration solicitors are experienced in securing all kinds of visas, including those for Overseas Domestic Workers. We can assist with preparing and submitting the required visa application.

We provide a responsive, full-service approach to ensure every visa matter is dealt with successfully and with a short lead time between instructions and grant of visa clearance. Our fees are fair and transparent, giving you certainty as to costs at the outset.

If you would like to know more about the Overseas Domestic Worker scheme, or need help with any immigration matter, then please contact our immigration team, who are on hand to help.