The UK International Agreement visa (Temporary Work) is a type of visa that allows individuals to enter and work in the UK on a temporary basis. This visa is designed for individuals who are employed or sponsored by an employer that has a specific international agreement with the UK government.
The visa is usually valid for the duration of the individual's employment or sponsorship, up to a maximum of 24 months. It may also be possible to extend the visa under certain circumstances.
If you need legal advice or help with your International Agreement visa application, our experienced immigration lawyer can provide you with the help you need.
Call Rex Law Chambers on 0161 989 9370 or fill in our enquiry form for immigration advice and help with your International Agreement visa application.
Table of Contents
- What is an International Agreement visa?
- Requirements for International Agreement visa
- Documents required for an International Agreement visa
- Extension of International Agreement visa
- Switch to an International Agreement visa
- Your partner and children
- Visa application processing time
- How can our immigration lawyer help you?
Requirements for International Agreement visa
To be eligible for a UK International Agreement visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the job you are planning to do.
- You must be able to support yourself financially during your stay in the UK, without recourse to public funds.
- You must be 18 or over when you apply.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on type of application and your personal circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
What is a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)?
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a document issued by a UK employer or sponsor to a non-EEA (European Economic Area) worker who is offered a job in the UK. It is a unique reference number that the worker needs in order to apply for a UK work visa.
The CoS contains information about the worker, their job, and the sponsoring organisation, and confirms that the job offer meets the relevant UK immigration requirements. The employer or sponsor must apply for the CoS on behalf of the worker and must be recognised by the UK government to issue certificates of sponsorship.
Financial requirements
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of applying for this visa.
What documents are required for an International Agreement visa?
You must provide the following documents when you apply for an International Agreement visa:
- Your valid passport or travel document to confirm your identity.
- Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
- Evidence that you have enough to support yourself during your stay in the UK such as bank statements.
This is a general list of documents. Depending on type of application and your personal circumstances, you might also need to provide additional documents.
Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and find out the required list of documents in support of your application.
Extension of International Agreement visa
Under certain circumstances, you may be able to apply for the extension of your International Agreement visa from inside the UK. You should apply before your current visa expires.
To be eligible to apply for the extension of the International Agreement visa, you must be in the UK and must continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
Switch to an International Agreement visa
You can apply to switch to an International Agreement visa (Temporary Work) while you are in the UK if you want to continue working for your current employer and you have a work permit and work for an overseas government or international organisation.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your 'dependants' if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.
International Agreement visa processing time
You will usually get a decision on your International Agreement visa within 3 weeks if you are applying from outside the UK. You should get a decision on your visa within 8 weeks if applying from inside the UK.
How can our immigration lawyer help you?
As part of our immigration services for your immigration application, our expert immigration lawyer will:
- assess your eligibility for the relevant visa type by fully considering your circumstances;
- advise you on the required supporting documents to be submitted in support of your immigration application;
- assess all the documents to ensure that the documents you provide are as per the requirements of the Immigration Rules;
- advise you on strengths and potential weaknesses in your visa application and how you can overcome such weaknesses if any;
- complete the online immigration draft application form to share it with you for cross-checking;
- submit your application online and schedule your biometrics appointments with the relevant commercial partner of the UKVI;
- prepare a detailed cover letter in support of the immigration application explaining in detail how you are meeting all the requirements of the Immigration Rules so that you have the maximum chances of succeeding in your visa application;
- upload all the supporting documents online in support of the immigration application in their correct format and order;
- dealing and responding to any caseworker enquiries or correspondence from the Home Office caseworker for any further documents or information concerning your pending immigration application;
- do all the follow-up work on your immigration application until a decision is received from the Home Office UKVI.
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