The summary of UK Domestic worker visa in 2025 – See Application Steps

Advertisement

DId you know about the UK domestic worker visa? It is another most exciting and big opportunity that most foreign nationals have taken as their chance to visit the United Kingdom and start their career journey from that path onwards. The visa allows the holder to work with his/her employer for about 6 months and  later leave the country when the visa time runs out. You can apply for type of visa when you want to work in the United Kingdom as a cleaner, nannies and chefs because the visa is for domestic staffs who are willing to work in the country at their employer’s house and do all the household chores like cleaning, cooking, and caring for the employer’s family and relatives. In this article, we will explain all you need to know about the UK domestic worker visa, the eligibility criteria and requirements, how to apply for the UK domestic visa and other important information.

The Overview of UK domestic worker visa

The sponsor of the UK domestic visa must be a United kingdom employer who practically lives in the country. The applicants of the visa, who are sponsored, must be able to meet the eligibility criteria and requirements of the visa. UK domestic worker visa is only valid for about six months. And after the visa approval, it is expected of you to behave accordingly and you should know that applicants are not allowed to stay more than the allotted time on the domestic visa.

Advertisement

The Eligibility Criteria and Requirements of a United Kingdom domestic visa

The eligibility criteria and requirements of a UK domestic worker visa sponsor are in two categories i.e

1. The employer’s requirements

2. The worker’s requirements

The Employer’s eligibility criteria and requirement for a UK domestic worker visa includes:

  1. You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom and your residence is outside the country and you are only willing to stay in the country for not more than six months or you are a foreign citizen who is only visiting the country for six months.
  2. You must 18 years old and above
  3. You must have the financial capacity to cater for your needs and to pay your domestic staffs’ salaries and others.

The worker’s eligibility criteria and requirements for a UK domestic worker visa includes:

  1. You are living outside the country and you are not a citizen of the country,
  2. You must be 18 years old and above.
  3. You must have worked for the employer for more than 12 months.
  4. You must be working and living in the same household with your employer.
  5. You must be in the category of domestic staff who have been working for the employer like a cleaner, chef, housekeeper, chauffeur, nanny or nurse, etc.
  6. You must have the financial power to  support yourself and provide for yourself.
  7. You must be able to speak, talk, and understand the English language so as to communicate efficiently with everyone within the community.
  8. You will also have to prove this with a language proficiency test or exam result like IELTS or TOEFL. But a proof of language proficiency will not be requested if you are from any of these countries, which include: Jamaica St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Bahamas, Dominica, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, USA.Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Guyana, St Lucia,  Australia and Canada.

Working & studying In Australia in 2025; Visa Application Process and Requirements for International Students

Minimum wage for a UK domestic worker visa

The UK domestic visa salary structure will be a good compensation for every domestic worker but may vary according to the worker’s age, which are:  18 – 20 years old  are paid £6.83 per hour, 21–22 years old are paid £9.18 per hour and above 23 years are paid £9.50 per hour.  The UK employer will also pay other charges like holiday fee, overtime payment, off days if it was agreed to be paid.

The Do’s and Don’ts of a UK domestic worker visa

A domestic UK visa has some regulations for the applicant especially that could invalidate the applicant’s visa. These regulations include:

  1. You can travel outside the country and return back. But if your visa has expired during your leave, you may not be given access into the country.
  2. You can also change your employers to a new one for any reasons best known to you but you can not change the roles of a domestic staff.
  3. You cannot change your job or assume another person’s role or position.
  4. You cannot live in the United Kingdom especially when your visa has expired.
  5. You can also not request for public funds.

Employer’s Obligations on the worker for a UK domestic worker visa

A domestic UK visa has some regulations to follow on his duties to his worker’s welfare in the country, which include:

  1. He/she must pay the worker’s wage and it must be above the national living minimum wage for workers.
  2. He/she must also be able to pay the holiday fee.
  3. He/she must give you a notice when your employment period is ending.
  4. He/she must not be forced to work over the agreed working hours.
  5. He/she must treat you with respect.

How to Apply for a UK domestic worker visa

Applying for a UK domestic worker UK visa, you must follow the steps below:

  1. Firstly, you need to check for your eligibility for the visa and review if you can fulfil all the requirements before you apply for the visa.
  2. Start your visa application as soon as possible. You can easily apply for the form online here, and begin the application process earlier to get quick feedback.
  3.  You must submit the requested document for the domestic worker visa on the application website. It is better to send those documents like scanned documents or better much in a JPEG format. These are list of requested documents for a UK domestic visa below this post
  4. You need to pay the application form fees to continue your application and also the healthcare charge fees as well.
  5.  You will also visit the UK embassy or any affiliated UK visa application center for your biometric verification and identification. And you can easily find any visa application centre here. The biometric verification includes your photo and fingerprint identification. A biometric verification will be used to get your biometric residence permit (BRP), which you can use to prove your identity, right to study, right to benefits and public services.

The List of Documents needed for a UK domestic worker visa

Below are the list of documents needed for a UK domestic worker visa application:

  1. An original and valid ID passport
  2. Your personal statement as a domestic worker, which must be signed by your employer.
  3. A job confirmation letter from your UK employer which will include your job title, the duration of your working time and confirming that you are their employee.
  4. Your bank statements, financial statements of other accounts that proves your financial capability to take care of yourself.
  5. Other documents like: confirmation slip for tax, confirmation slip for health insurance, employment,employment contract, copy of submitted visa application form, residence permit, etc. etc.

How to become a Registered Nurse in Canada in 2025

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) About UK domestic worker visa

1. Am I eligible to apply for a UK Domestic Worker Visa?

Yes you are eligible for a UK domestic worker visa, if you are currently working as a domestic worker for your employer who is a foreign citizen of the United Kingdom and is willing to stay in the country for only six months. Others include; language proficiency, financial capability.

2. How long can I stay in the UK on a Domestic Worker Visa?

A UK domestic worker visa is valid for only six months. You can only stay in the country for a maximum of 6 months and you cannot extend a UK domestic worker visa.

3. What documents are required for a UK domestic worker visa application?

The documents needed for a UK domestic worker visa application include: a valid passport, evidence of your employment (such as a contract), proof of your employer’s stay in the UK, and financial documents showing you can support yourself. In addition, you will need to provide your biometric information like a photo and fingerprints.

3. How much does it cost to apply for a Domestic Worker Visa?

A UK domestic worker visa application fee is around £637. Other fees to be paid along with the application fee include healthcare surcharges.

4. Can I switch employers while I am still on a UK Domestic Worker Visa?

No, you cannot switch employers while you are on a UK Domestic Worker Visa and you can also switch your job roles too. If you leave your employer, you must leave the UK.

5. Can my family accompany me to the UK when I am on a UK domestic worker visa?

No, the Domestic Worker Visa does not allow family members to join or follow you. But they can apply for other types of visa if they want to come to the United Kingdom with you.

Advertisement