Who can apply for the “Overseas Domestic Worker Visa” of the UK ???

A candidate above 19 or over can apply for an Overseas Domestic Worker visa to visit the UK with their employer;

• If the candidate either lives outside the UK;
• Are a domestic worker i.e. cooks, cleaners, nannies, chauffeurs, or those providing personal care for an employer or their family, that too, all in a private household;
• Work as a full- time domestic worker in the same household as one’s employer live in and have plans to travel to the UK with their respective employer, their partner or their children;
• Have worked for the respective employer for at least one year;
• Be able to support oneself adequately while in the UK and as well have plans to leave after 6 months;

The employer employing must be either a British citizen living outside the UK and who does not intend to remain in the UK for more than 6 months; or a foreign citizen who is coming to the UK on a visit and who does not intend to remain for more than 6 months. The employer must make sure to follow the rules of the UK regarding working hours and pay at least a minimum wage i.e. £10.85 for 18 to 20 years of age and £12.71 for 21 years of age and over, to ensure successful outcome of the visa application.

A valid travel document, adequate funds to support one’s living expenses, a letter or contract of employment from employer confirming the employment status, job and title, including period the worker have worked for the employer are some of the documents that must be provided as a part of the VISA application. Other documents that needs to be submitted includes tax paid confirmation, health insurance paid confirmation, or equivalent passport endorsement (if any).

The cost for an Overseas Domestic Worker visa is £682.

Under this VISA, one can change employers to another job as a domestic worker in a private household (only if one does not tend to stay longer than 6 months); or travel abroad and return to the UK to complete one’s stay. One cannot, however, work, except as a domestic worker in a private household; live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits; or access and get public funds.