Who is a Domestic Worker?
You must:

• be aged between 18 and 65; and

• have been working as a domestic worker in the same house as your employer for one year or more immediately before your application, or have been working in a household that your employer uses regularly for themselves for one year or more immediately before your application, and show evidence that there is a connection between you and your employer; and

• intend to travel to the UK with your employer, your employer’s husband or wife or your employer’s child who is under 18; and

• intend to work full-time as a domestic worker in the same house as your employer or in a household that the employer uses for himself regularly and where there is evidence that there is a connection between you and your employer; and

• not intend to take employment except as a domestic worker; and

• be able to support yourself and live, as certified by your employer, without any help from public funds; and

• have a valid United Kingdom visa for entry as a domestic worker.  
  
  
  Will I need a work permit?
  You do not need to get a work permit if you are a domestic worker in a private household. You must meet the requirements shown above.
  
  You do need to obtain a visa before you travel to the UK
   
  
  How do I apply for a visa?
  You will need to fill in a visa application form (VAF 1 – Non-settlement). You can download the form from this website, or get one free of charge from your nearest UK Overseas Mission where there is a visa section.
  
  You should check with your nearest UK Overseas Mission that they can deal with your application. If they cannot they will tell you where to apply.
  
  You can apply in a number of ways, for example by post, by courier, in person and on-line. The visa section will tell you about the ways in which you can apply.
  
  
  What documents will I need to make my application?
  You will need:

• which you have filled in correctly. You can include any dependants under 16 years old who are included in your passport and travelling with you on the same form. Older dependants should fill in a separate form

• your passport or travel document

• a recent passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph of yourself. This should be:

  • taken against a light coloured (white, off-white etc.) background

  • unmounted, clear and of good quality

  • printed on normal photographic paper

  • full face and without sunglasses, hat or other head covering unless you wear this for ethnic or religious reasons
    Please note that we may not accept photographs which do not meet these specifications.

• the visa fee. This cannot be refunded and you must normally pay it in the local currency of the country where you are applying

• a written undertaking from your employer that they will support you and give you somewhere to live

• a written copy of your main terms and conditions of employment

What will happen after I make my application?
The entry clearance officer will check that they have all the information they need to make a decision. If they need more information they may ask you to come back with more supporting documents before they accept your application.

Once they accept your application, they may need to interview you.
 

How long can I stay in the UK as a domestic worker?
When you apply to come to the UK as a domestic worker, the BHC will normally give you permission to stay for up to 6 months if your employer is coming to the UK as a visitor. If your employer plans to live in the UK for a longer period, the BHC will normally give you permission to stay for up to 12 months. The visa in your passport tells you the date your permission to stay ends.

Before your permission to stay ends, you must either:

• start to make arrangements to leave the UK; or

• apply to the Home Office in the UK to stay longer before the expiry of your visa.
  
   
  
  Can I come back to the UK if I travel abroad?
  You can normally come back to the UK to finish your stay if you can show that you are still employed as a domestic worker in a private household. You should have a letter from your employer saying that they will continue to employ you when you return.
  
  
  Can I bring my husband, wife or partner and children with me?
  Your husband, wife or eligible partner and children under 18 years of age may join you in the UK if:

• they have a visa for this purpose

• you can support them and live without any help from public funds.
  
  Can my employer keep my passport?
  Your passport is your proof of your permission to stay in the UK. You should keep it yourself in a safe place. If your employer is holding your passport without your permission and refuses to return it, you should report this to the police and your Embassy or diplomatic mission.
  
  What should I do if my employer leaves the UK?
  If you are travelling with your employer on a visit to the UK, the Home Office will expect you to leave with them.
  
  If your employer is living in the UK, you do not need to go with them on trips abroad as long as they are still based in the UK and are going to return. However, if your employer leaves the UK permanently, we expect you to leave with them.