International Agreement Visa Solicitors in London
Expert advice for embassy and overseas government staff, international organisation workers and private servants in diplomatic households.
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The International Agreement visa (formerly the Tier 5 / Temporary Worker – International Agreement Worker visa) lets you work in the UK for an overseas government or a recognised international organisation, or as a private servant in a diplomatic household. You need a certificate of sponsorship, and you can usually stay for up to 2 years, or up to 5 years as a private servant.
Adam Bernard Solicitors advises embassies, high commissions, international organisations and diplomatic households across London on sponsoring staff under this route. We also advise workers on applications, extensions and bringing family to the UK. Our SRA-regulated immigration solicitors work from our High Holborn and Upton Park offices and offer free consultations in person, by phone or by video.
Call 0207 100 2525 or book a free consultation.
Who is the International Agreement visa for?
The route covers people whose UK work is governed by international law or treaty. There are three groups:
- Employees of an overseas government, for example staff at an embassy, high commission or trade office.
- Employees of a recognised international organisation, for example a UN agency or another body the UK recognises under international agreements.
- Private servants: domestic staff such as cooks, drivers, nannies or housekeepers employed in a diplomatic household, or in the household of someone who works for a recognised international organisation.
Not covered: if you are contracted to provide services to a UK business under a trade agreement (for example as a contractual service supplier or independent professional), you need the Service Supplier visa under the Global Business Mobility routes. Those categories left this route in April 2022.
The International Agreement visa is one of the UK’s Temporary Worker visas. It does not lead to settlement (ILR).
Eligibility requirements
To qualify, you must have a valid certificate of sponsorship, be 18 or over, and show enough savings to support yourself.
- Certificate of sponsorship (CoS): your employer must be a licensed sponsor and assign you a CoS. The CoS reference number is valid for 3 months, so you must apply within that window. Read more about certificates of sponsorship.
- Age: 18 or over on the date you apply.
- The job: your work must relate to your sponsor’s work, and your employer must pay at least the National Minimum Wage and follow UK working-time rules. If not, the application will be refused.
- English language: private servants applying from outside the UK must prove their knowledge of English.
How much money do you need?
You need at least £1,270 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days, with day 28 falling within 31 days of your application. You do not need to show savings if:
- you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months, or
- your sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS, confirming it will cover your costs for your first month in the UK, up to £1,270.
International Agreement visa fees and processing times (2026)
The application fee is £340 per person, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application fee (inside or outside the UK) | £340 per person |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,035 per year per person (adults and children) |
| Savings (main applicant) | £1,270 unless exempt |
Processing times: usually 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from inside the UK, counted from when you have proved your identity and submitted your documents. You may be able to pay for a faster decision. Source: GOV.UK – International Agreement visa.
How long can you stay?
Government and international organisation workers can stay up to 2 years. Private servants can stay up to 5 years in total.
| Category | Maximum per grant | Maximum total stay |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas government or international organisation worker | 2 years, or CoS period + up to 14 days (whichever is shorter) | 2 years |
| Private servant in a diplomatic or international organisation household | 2 years, or CoS period + up to 14 days (whichever is shorter) | 5 years |
If your job ends early, the Home Office may cut your visa short and give you 60 days to leave, unless less than 60 days remain.
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- work for your sponsor in the job described on your CoS
- take a second job of up to 20 hours a week, either on the Immigration Salary List or in the same sector as your main job (this does not apply to private servants)
- study, as long as it does not interfere with your job (some courses need an ATAS certificate)
- travel abroad and return to the UK
You cannot:
- claim public funds
- start work before your visa is granted
- change employer without a new application
Extending your International Agreement visa
You can extend from inside the UK if you still meet the eligibility rules, up to the maximum stay for your category. Apply online before your current visa expires and do not travel outside the Common Travel Area until you have a decision. The standard processing time is 8 weeks.
Private servants extending do not need to prove English again, but must provide 3 months of payslips and bank evidence that their salary was paid into their account. Family members must apply to extend separately, because their permission does not extend automatically with yours. See GOV.UK – extend your visa.
If you need to stay longer in a different role, our solicitors can advise whether another route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, fits your circumstances.
Bringing your family to the UK
Your partner and children under 18 can apply as your dependants, and each needs their own savings and IHS payment.
- Partner: spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner who has lived with you for at least 2 years (or been in a relationship with you for at least 2 years, with evidence of ongoing commitment where you cannot live together).
- Children: under 18, living with you (unless in full-time education away from home) and not married or in a civil partnership. Children over 18 qualify only if they already hold permission as your dependant.
| Dependant | Savings required |
|---|---|
| Partner | £285 |
| First child | £315 |
| Each additional child | £200 |
Each dependant also pays the £340 application fee and £1,035 a year IHS. Source: GOV.UK – partner and children.
How to apply
- Get your CoS from your sponsoring government, organisation or diplomatic household.
- Gather documents: a valid passport, your CoS reference number, bank statements for the savings period (unless exempt), English evidence (private servants applying from abroad), a TB test certificate if you live in a listed country, and relationship evidence for dependants.
- Apply online up to 3 months before your CoS start date.
- Prove your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre.
- Get your decision. Successful applicants receive an eVisa, accessed through a UKVI account.
If your application is refused, you may be able to request an Administrative Review.
For sponsors: embassies, international organisations and diplomatic households
The employer must hold a sponsor licence and assign a CoS before the worker can apply. We help sponsors with:
- sponsor licence applications and CoS allocation
- confirming the role falls within the International Agreement route and not Service Supplier, Secondment Worker or another route
- private servant compliance: minimum wage, working hours, written terms and payslips
- certifying maintenance on the CoS
Why choose Adam Bernard Solicitors?
- SRA-regulated immigration solicitors, listed on the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor directory
- 15+ years’ experience and 15,000+ clients served
- Offices in High Holborn (Central London) and Upton Park (East London)
- Free consultations in person or by Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp or Skype
- We advise both the worker and the sponsor, so applications are consistent from the start
Call 0207 100 2525 or book your free consultation.
This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Fees and rules are correct as of October 2026. Always check GOV.UK or speak to a solicitor before applying.
International Agreement Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Agreement visa?
How much does the International Agreement visa cost?
Can a diplomat's domestic worker get a UK visa?
Can I bring my family on an International Agreement visa?
Does the International Agreement visa lead to ILR?
Is the International Agreement visa the same as the Service Supplier visa?
How long does an International Agreement visa take?
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