UK International Agreement Visa

UK International Agreement Visa - Temporary Worker Route

The UK International Agreement visa (Temporary Work) is for people coming to the UK to do work covered by international law or treaty. It covers overseas government workers, employees of a recognised international organisation, and private servants in diplomatic households. You need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor before you apply. If you are being contracted to provide services to a UK company, you apply for the Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility) instead.

Key takeaways

• Who it is for: Overseas government workers, employees of a recognised international organisation, and private servants in a diplomatic household, all of whom need a Certificate of Sponsorship.
• When it does not apply: If you are contracted to provide services to a UK company under a trade agreement, you apply for the Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility) instead.
• Maximum stay: Overseas government and international organisation workers can stay up to 2 years, while private servants in a diplomatic household can stay up to 5 years, applying for up to 2 years at a time.
• What you cannot do: This route does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain, and you cannot claim public funds or start work before your visa is granted.
• Next step: Get your Certificate of Sponsorship, apply online up to 3 months before your start date, and confirm the current fees on GOV.UK.

What is the UK International Agreement Visa?

The UK International Agreement visa is part of the Temporary Work route and replaced the former Temporary Worker International Agreement visa (T5). It is for people whose UK work is covered by international law or treaty.

This visa covers two categories of work:

• Work for an overseas government or a recognised international organisation.
• Work as a private servant in a diplomatic household, or the household of someone who works for a recognised international organisation.

If you are contracted to provide services to a UK company under a trade agreement, you apply for the Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility) instead of this visa.

All applicants must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-based Home Office licensed sponsor.

Who Can Apply for a UK International Agreement Visa?

You can apply if you fall into one of the categories below and meet the general requirements. You must be 18 or over when you apply.

A Private Servant in a Diplomatic Household

• You must work in the private household of a diplomatic official, or the household of someone who works for a recognised international organisation.
• If you are applying from outside the UK, you must prove your knowledge of English.

An Employee of an Overseas Government or Recognised International Organisation

• You must be employed by an overseas government or a recognised international organisation, for example the UN, NATO or WHO. You can check whether your organisation qualifies on the GOV.UK list of recognised international organisations.
• Your role must be covered by the international agreement or treaty that applies to your organisation.

Contractual Service Suppliers and Independent Professionals

If you are contracted to provide services to a UK company under a trade agreement, you now apply for the Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility), not this visa.

How Long Can You Stay on a UK International Agreement Visa?

• Overseas government or recognised international organisation workers can stay up to 2 years, or the time given on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter.
• Private servants in a diplomatic household can stay up to 5 years. You can apply for up to 2 years at a time, or the time given on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter.

This route does not lead to settlement. At the end of your maximum stay you must leave the UK or move to another route you qualify for.

What You Can and Cannot Do on a UK International Agreement Visa

You can:

• Work for your sponsor in the job described on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study, as long as it does not interfere with the job you are sponsored for. Some courses need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate.
• Take a second job on the Skilled Worker immigration salary list, or in the same sector as your main job, for up to 20 hours a week. This does not apply to private servants.
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.
• Bring your partner and children with you as dependants, if they are eligible.

You cannot:

• Get public funds or benefits.
• Start work before your visa is granted.

This route does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Sponsorship and Employer Requirements of the International Agreement Visa in the UK

Your UK sponsor must:

• Be approved by the Home Office to sponsor workers on this route.
• Assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship before you apply. The Certificate of Sponsorship is valid for 3 months from the date it is assigned.
• Make sure the work you do relates to the work of the sponsor organisation.
• Pay at least the national minimum wage and follow the UK rules on working hours. If your employer does not do this, the application will be refused.

Sponsors are responsible for monitoring compliance and reporting any visa breaches.

Required Documents for a UK International Agreement Visa

To apply for an International Agreement visa for the UK, you should provide:

• A valid passport with at least one blank page.
• Your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
• An employment contract or letter from your employer.
• Proof that you have enough personal savings, unless you are exempt.
• A TB test certificate, if it is required for your country.

On the savings requirement, you usually need at least £1,270 available. The money must have been in your account for at least 28 days in a row, and day 28 must be within 31 days of the date you apply. You do not need to show this if you are exempt, or if your employer certifies on your Certificate of Sponsorship that they will cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270.

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation. A private servant applying from outside the UK must also prove their knowledge of English.

How to Apply for a UK International Agreement Visa

You can apply up to 3 months before your start date, which is the date on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Step 1: Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Your UK sponsor must assign you a CoS before you apply.

Step 2: Check if You Can Use the UK Immigration: ID Check App

Some applicants do not need to attend a visa application centre and can verify their identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app. You can usually use the app if you are applying from outside the UK and hold a biometric passport from an eligible country. You will be told during the online application whether you can use it.

Step 3: Apply Online

Complete your application on the official UK government website and pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).

Step 4: Verify Your Identity

If you cannot use the app, book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) to give your fingerprints and photograph (biometric information) and to submit any additional documents.

Step 5: Await a Decision

You will usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, and within 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK. You may be able to pay for a faster decision. Check the current fees on GOV.UK. Once approved, you will receive an eVisa.

UK International Agreement Visa Fees and Costs

You, and any partner or children applying with you, will each need to pay the application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). You will also need to show you have enough personal savings, unless you are exempt.

The current application fee, healthcare surcharge and Certificate of Sponsorship fee are published on GOV.UK. As correct at the last review:

• Application fee: £340 per person.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): usually £1,035 per year.
• Certificate of Sponsorship fee: paid by the UK employer.

Home Office fees change, so confirm the current amounts on GOV.UK before you apply. The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) does not apply to this route.

How Immtell Can Help

Applying for a UK International Agreement visa takes careful preparation to meet Home Office requirements. Immtell provides expert support to help:

• UK employers and international organisations secure a Temporary Worker sponsor licence.
• Workers complete their visa application accurately.
• Confirm that roles meet Home Office eligibility requirements.
• Manage visa compliance, with legal support where you need it.

Work in the UK Under an International Agreement

Get expert guidance for your UK International Agreement visa application and a clear, efficient process for both employers and workers. Individual workers can Book a Paid Consultation. Employers and sponsors can book a call.

Book a Paid Consultation | Book a Call | About Immtell

We check this guide against the official GOV.UK guidance. Last reviewed 14 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the UK International Agreement visa for?

It is for people whose UK work is covered by international law or treaty: Overseas government workers, employees of a recognised international organisation, and private servants in diplomatic households. You need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor before you apply.

Is the International Agreement visa the same as a Service Supplier visa?

No. If you are contracted to provide services to a UK company under a trade agreement, you apply for the Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility), not the International Agreement visa. The International Agreement visa is for overseas government workers, recognised international organisation workers, and private servants in diplomatic households.

How long can you stay on a UK International Agreement visa?

Overseas government and recognised international organisation workers can stay up to 2 years, or the time on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus up to 14 days, whichever is shorter. Private servants in a diplomatic household can stay up to 5 years, applying for up to 2 years at a time.

Does the International Agreement visa lead to settlement?

No. This is a temporary route and does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). At the end of your stay you must leave the UK or move to another route you qualify for.

How long does a decision take?

Usually 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK and 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK. A faster decision may be available for a fee. Check the current fees on GOV.UK.