UK Domestic Worker Visa: Complete Guide for Private Household Staff

Executive Summary

The UK Domestic Worker visa allows experienced household staff to work for private households in the UK for up to 6 months. This visa is specifically designed for domestic workers employed by UK residents or those with settlement status, covering roles like housekeepers, nannies, cooks, chauffeurs, and personal care assistants.

What this means for you: Unlike standard work visas, this route requires an existing employment relationship with a UK-based household and comes with specific worker protections. Success depends on demonstrating genuine domestic work experience, a legitimate household need, and proper employment documentation.

Real insight from AVID experts: Most applications fail because applicants underestimate the documentation requirements or employers don’t understand their legal obligations. The visa isn’t just about proving you can do household work—it’s about demonstrating a genuine, compliant employment relationship.

Eligibility Requirements for Domestic Workers

Core Employment Relationship

To qualify for a UK Domestic Worker visa, you must have worked as a domestic worker outside the UK for at least 12 months. The work must be in a private household, not commercial settings like hotels or care facilities.

Qualifying domestic work includes:

• Housekeeper or cleaner
• Cook or chef
• Nanny or au pair
• Chauffeur or driver
• Personal care assistant
• Butler or house manager
• Gardener (if primarily household-focused)

What this means for you: Your experience must be specifically in private households. Restaurant cooking or commercial cleaning doesn’t count, even if the skills transfer.

Work Experience Documentation

You’ll need to prove your domestic work experience through:

• Employment contracts from previous household positions
• Reference letters from former employers (with contact details)
• Payslips or bank statements showing household employment
• Photos or evidence of your work environment (where appropriate)

Real mistake we’ve seen: Applicants submitting generic reference letters without specific household details. Immigration officers look for evidence of genuine private household employment, not template references.

English Language Requirements

You must demonstrate English proficiency at A1 level (basic conversational level) through:

• An approved English test from a recognized provider
• A degree taught in English
• Being a national of an English-speaking country

If you’re applying from a high-refusal rate country: Take the English test even if you think you qualify for an exemption. Officers often scrutinize language ability more closely for certain nationalities.

Financial Requirements

While there’s no specific financial threshold, you must show you can support yourself during your stay. This typically means:

• Bank statements showing consistent income from domestic work
• Evidence your employer will provide accommodation
• Proof of return travel arrangements

Optional—but strongly recommended by AVID experts: Include a brief letter explaining how you’ll support yourself, especially if your bank balance appears low. Context matters more than raw numbers.

Employer Requirements and Responsibilities

UK Employer Eligibility

Your employer must be:

• A UK citizen, settled person, or someone with indefinite leave to remain
• Genuinely residing in the UK (not just visiting)
• Employing you for their private household needs

What this means for you: Your employer can’t be someone who just holds a UK passport but lives abroad. They must genuinely live in the UK and need household staff for their actual residence.

Genuine Household Need

The UK employer must demonstrate they genuinely need domestic help due to:

• Large household size requiring full-time management
• Elderly or disabled family members needing care
• Young children requiring dedicated supervision
• Property size or complexity requiring specialized maintenance
• Lifestyle demanding household management support

Real insight from AVID experts: Officers look for proportionality. A single person in a one-bedroom flat claiming they need a full-time housekeeper will face scrutiny. The household size and circumstances must justify the employment.

Employment Obligations

UK employers must provide:

• Written employment contract meeting UK standards
• Accommodation that meets legal minimum standards
• At least the National Minimum Wage (currently £11.44/hour for adults)
• Proper working time limits (48 hours per week maximum)
• Holiday entitlement (5.6 weeks per year)
• Safe working conditions

Common red flag: Employers offering accommodation “in lieu of salary” below minimum wage. This is illegal and will result in visa refusal.

Employer Documentation Requirements

Your employer must provide:

• Proof of UK residence (council tax, utility bills, mortgage statements)
• Evidence of immigration status (passport, settlement documents)
• Bank statements showing ability to pay wages
• Property details demonstrating household size/complexity
• Written job offer with full terms and conditions

If your employer is new to hiring domestic staff: They should understand they’re entering a formal employment relationship with legal obligations, not just “helping someone get a visa.”

Application Process and Documentation

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Your Documents:

• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
• Evidence of domestic work experience (12+ months)
• English language test results
• Bank statements (3-6 months)
• Medical certificate (if required)
• Criminal background check from your home country

Employer Documents:

• UK residence proof
• Immigration status evidence
• Financial capability proof
• Property details
• Written job offer
• Employer questionnaire (online form)

Step 2: Complete Online Application

Apply through the UK government’s visa application website. The process involves:

• Filling out the online form (approximately 45 minutes)
• Uploading supporting documents
• Paying the application fee (£244)
• Booking a biometric appointment

What really happens behind the scenes: Your application gets assigned to an Entry Clearance Officer who will specifically look for evidence of a genuine employment relationship. They’re trained to spot “visa marriages” where the domestic work is just a pretext for UK entry.

Step 3: Biometric Appointment

Attend your appointment at a visa application center to provide:

• Fingerprints
• Digital photograph
• Original documents for verification

Real mistake we’ve seen: Bringing photocopies instead of originals to the biometric appointment. While you upload scanned copies online, you must bring originals for verification.

Processing Times and Decisions

Standard processing: 3 weeks from biometric appointment Priority processing: Available in some countries for additional fee Complex cases: Can take 6-12 weeks if additional checks needed

If you’re applying from a country with high refusal rates: Consider using priority processing and ensure your documentation is exceptionally thorough. Officers may take longer to verify employment relationships from certain countries.

Worker Rights and Employment Protections

Legal Employment Status

As a Domestic Worker visa holder, you have the same employment rights as UK workers:

• Right to National Minimum Wage or above
• Maximum 48-hour working week (averaged over 17 weeks)
• Daily and weekly rest periods
• Annual leave entitlement
• Protection from unfair dismissal
• Right to join a trade union

What this means for you: This isn’t a “favor” system. You’re entering a legal employment relationship with full worker protections under UK law.

Accommodation Standards

If your employer provides accommodation, it must meet:

• Basic health and safety standards
• Adequate heating and lighting
• Private sleeping space
• Access to cooking facilities
• Reasonable privacy

Real protection insight: You’re not required to live with your employer, even if accommodation is provided. You can choose to live elsewhere and receive accommodation allowance instead.

Wage and Working Time Protection

Minimum wage requirements:

• Adults (21+): £11.44 per hour
• 18-20 years: £8.60 per hour
• Live-in workers: Accommodation can offset wages by £70.76 per week maximum

Working time limits:

• Maximum 48 hours per week average
• 11 hours rest between shifts
• 24 consecutive hours off per week
• 5.6 weeks paid annual leave

If you’re being offered below minimum wage: This is illegal. The visa will be refused, and you should seek different employment or report the employer to authorities.

Changing Employers

You can change employers while on this visa, but:

• New employer must also meet all requirements
• You must notify UK Visas and Immigration
• New employment must still be genuine domestic work
• You cannot work for multiple households simultaneously

Strategic consideration: Building a relationship with reputable household employment agencies can help you find compliant alternative employers if needed.

Visa Limitations and Restrictions

Work Restrictions

Your visa only permits work as a domestic worker for private households. You cannot:

• Work in commercial establishments (hotels, restaurants, care homes)
• Work for multiple employers simultaneously
• Start your own domestic services business
• Work in any capacity outside domestic household roles

What this means for you: This is a highly specific work authorization. Any work outside private household domestic duties violates your visa conditions.

Duration and Extensions

• Initial visa: Up to 6 months
• No extensions available in the UK
• Must leave the UK before visa expires
• Can reapply from home country after leaving

Critical timing consideration: Start planning your next steps at least 2 months before your visa expires. Unlike other visa categories, there’s no pathway to extend or switch to another visa category from within the UK.

Family and Dependents

This visa does not allow you to bring family members or dependents to the UK. It’s strictly for individual domestic workers.

If you have family considerations: Plan carefully for family responsibilities in your home country, as you cannot bring dependents and cannot easily return for family matters during your 6-month stay.

Compliance and Ongoing Obligations

Maintaining Legal Status

Throughout your stay, you must:

• Work only for your approved employer
• Maintain your employment relationship
• Keep employment documentation updated
• Report any significant changes to your circumstances

Employer Monitoring

UK authorities may check:

• Employment records and wage payments
• Working time compliance
• Accommodation standards
• Proper tax and National Insurance contributions

What AVID experts watch for: Employers who don’t understand their obligations often create compliance issues that can affect future visa applications for other domestic workers.