Since the UK’s exit from the European Union, new immigration rules have been introduced that apply to all foreign nationals, including those from Switzerland. Swiss nationals who need to travel to the UK for temporary work linked to contractual obligations must hold the correct immigration permission.
The Service Providers from Switzerland visa was created to allow eligible Swiss workers and self-employed professionals to deliver services in the UK under transitional post-Brexit arrangements. This route is strictly regulated, with specific conditions that both applicants and their employers must follow to remain compliant.
In this guide, we explain the rules and requirements of the Service Providers from Switzerland visa, including eligibility, application process, visa validity, and the restrictions imposed on those who use this route.
Section A: Overview of the Service Providers from Switzerland Visa
The Service Providers from Switzerland visa is a dedicated immigration route available only to Swiss nationals and employees of Swiss-based companies. It enables eligible individuals to travel to the UK to carry out work under a qualifying contract agreed with a UK client or partner.
This visa is part of the arrangements agreed between the UK and Switzerland following Brexit, ensuring continuity of services for contracts in place before the end of the transition period. Applicants must demonstrate that the relevant contract was signed and had commenced before 11pm on 31 December 2020.
The route provides a legal framework for Swiss professionals to enter the UK to meet contractual obligations. Without it, work carried out in the UK would be unlawful, exposing both the worker and the employer to immigration penalties.
1. Permissible Activities
Holders of the Service Providers from Switzerland visa can provide services in the UK for up to 90 days within a calendar year. Multiple entries are permitted while the visa remains valid, provided the total time spent in the UK does not exceed 90 days in that year.
Work is restricted to the specific contract or contracts covered by the visa. Visa holders cannot undertake additional employment, voluntary work, or self-employment outside the approved terms. The 90-day cap applies on an individual basis, not collectively across all employees of the same Swiss company.
Dependants are not permitted under this route. Visa holders also cannot access public funds, enrol on courses of study, or make the UK their permanent home. While emergency medical treatment is available, most non-emergency NHS services will need to be paid for, as applicants are not subject to the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Holders cannot marry or enter into a civil partnership, give notice of marriage or civil partnership, or switch into another immigration category while in the UK. Settlement is not available under this visa route.
2. Visa Validity
The visa is granted until the earliest of the following dates:
- The end date of the UK work contract
- The end date of the fixed-term Swiss employment contract
- The day before the applicant’s right to reside in Switzerland expires (for non-Swiss nationals working legally in Switzerland)
- 31 December 2025
Once the visa expires, a fresh application may be submitted from outside the UK if further work is required under qualifying contractual arrangements. Extensions are not possible inside the UK, and applicants cannot remain beyond the visa period.
Section B: Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Service Providers from Switzerland visa, applicants must satisfy strict eligibility requirements. These reflect the transitional arrangements agreed between the UK and Switzerland, ensuring only those with legitimate, pre-existing business needs are able to use the route.
1. Nationality
The applicant must be a Swiss national. This route is not open to citizens of other countries, except in very limited cases where non-Swiss nationals are lawfully resident in Switzerland and have worked there for at least 12 months prior to applying.
2. Employment Status
Applicants must either be employed by a Swiss-based company or be self-employed in Switzerland. Self-employed Swiss nationals can apply if they are based in Switzerland and need to provide services under a qualifying contract with a UK client.
3. Contractual Obligation
There must be a genuine and pre-existing contract between the Swiss employer (or self-employed applicant) and a UK client. This contract must clearly require the applicant’s presence in the UK to deliver the services.
4. Contract Signing Date
The contract must have been both signed and commenced before 11pm on 31 December 2020. Contracts agreed or started after this deadline are not eligible under this visa route.
5. Evidence of Prior Work
Applicants will usually need to provide evidence that either they or another employee of their organisation travelled to the UK before 31 December 2020 to work on the contract. If the contract clearly states that regular travel is not required, this requirement may not apply.
6. Swiss Business Base
The employer must be legally established and based in Switzerland. Applicants will need to provide documentation confirming this as part of their application.
7. Residency for Non-Swiss Nationals
Where the applicant is not a Swiss or EEA national, but is lawfully resident in Switzerland, they must show evidence of at least 12 months of legal employment or self-employment in Switzerland before applying. This ensures the route is limited to individuals genuinely connected to the Swiss labour market.
Section Summary: Eligibility under this visa is narrow and carefully controlled. Only Swiss nationals or qualifying residents linked to pre-Brexit contracts can apply. Applicants must provide substantial evidence to prove both their employment circumstances and the existence of a valid, qualifying contract signed before the end of 2020.
Section C: Application Process
Applicants must follow the formal process for securing a Service Providers from Switzerland visa. Preparing the required documentation in advance is important, as incomplete applications are likely to be delayed or refused.
1. Required Documentation
When applying, you will need to provide evidence to show that you meet the eligibility criteria. Supporting documents typically include:
- Proof of identity: A valid passport or travel document.
- Proof of right to work in Switzerland: Such as residence documentation or work permits, where relevant.
- Proof of employment or self-employment: Employment contracts, payslips, or business registration documents.
- Swiss business base: Evidence confirming your employer is legally established in Switzerland.
- Contract evidence: Documentation showing that the relevant contract was signed and had commenced before 11pm on 31 December 2020.
- Proof of necessity of travel: Evidence that your physical presence in the UK is required to fulfil the terms of the contract.
- Residency evidence (if applicable): For non-Swiss nationals, documents proving at least 12 months of legal work or residence in Switzerland.
2. Submitting the Application
Applications are made online through the official UK government portal. The form requires personal information, travel details, employment information, and contract evidence. It is important that all information provided is consistent with the supporting documents.
There is currently no fee for applying for the Service Providers from Switzerland visa. However, applicants must attend an appointment at a visa application centre to provide biometric information, including fingerprints and a digital photograph.
3. Visa Appointment
At the appointment, applicants must present their original documents. Staff may ask questions to confirm the purpose of the visit and the applicant’s role in fulfilling the contract. Biometrics will be taken as part of the process, and the application will then be sent to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for a decision.
Section Summary: The application process is carried out online but requires careful preparation of evidence and attendance at a biometric appointment. While no application fee applies, strict documentation rules mean applicants must be thorough to avoid refusal.
Section D: Post-Application
After submitting the application and enrolling biometrics, the file is assessed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Applicants should monitor their email and the online account for updates and requests for any further information.
1. Processing Time
Decisions are generally made in around three weeks from the date of the biometric appointment. Actual timelines can vary, so applicants should check the latest published processing times before applying. Some visa application centres may offer a faster decision service for an additional fee, depending on local availability.
2. Receiving the Decision
Applicants are notified of the decision by email or through their online account. If the application is approved, the passport will normally be endorsed with a visa vignette (sticker). Collection or return by mail will follow the option chosen when booking the appointment. The vignette will specify validity dates and permitted activities.
3. Travelling to the UK
On arrival, travellers should present their passport containing the visa vignette to a Border Force officer and be prepared to explain the purpose of the visit and the contractual work to be undertaken. All work in the UK must remain within the scope of the approved contract(s) and within the 90-day per-calendar-year limit for the individual.
4. Conditions While in the UK
Holders cannot take up additional roles, paid or unpaid, beyond the approved contract(s). Dependants are not permitted. Public funds are not available. As no Immigration Health Surcharge is paid, emergency treatment is free but most other NHS care will be chargeable. Studying is not permitted. The visa does not lead to settlement, and switching into another immigration category from within the UK is not allowed.
5. If the Contract Changes or is Extended
Extensions from within the UK are not available under this route. If further time is required for eligible work, the applicant must leave the UK and, if still meeting the route’s requirements, submit a new application from overseas. The overall route is subject to a hard end date of 31 December 2025.
6. If the Application is Refused
Refusal notices explain the reasons for the decision. Where appropriate, applicants may remedy the issues identified and reapply, provided they continue to meet the route requirements. Administrative review or other remedies may be available depending on the basis of refusal and current policy at the time of the decision.
Section Summary: After biometrics, most decisions are made in about three weeks. Approved applicants receive a visa vignette and must comply with all route conditions, including the individual 90-day annual limit and the prohibition on switching or extending in-country. Where further time is needed, a fresh overseas application is required, and in all cases activity must end no later than 31 December 2025.
Section E: Summary
The Service Providers from Switzerland visa offers a narrow and temporary route for Swiss nationals and certain Swiss-based workers to deliver services in the UK under qualifying contracts. It was introduced as part of the UK–Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement to preserve continuity of business relationships established before the end of the Brexit transition period.
Applicants must show that the relevant contract was signed and had commenced before 11pm on 31 December 2020, and that their presence in the UK is necessary to fulfil it. The visa is valid for up to 90 days per person per calendar year and is subject to strict conditions on permissible activities. Dependants cannot accompany the main applicant, and access to NHS services beyond emergencies is restricted.
The route is transitional and will close completely on 31 December 2025. It cannot lead to settlement and does not allow switching to other immigration categories. Those who qualify must ensure compliance at every stage to avoid breaching UK immigration rules.
Section F: FAQs
1. Who can apply for the Service Providers from Switzerland visa?
Swiss nationals employed by a Swiss company, or Swiss-based self-employed individuals, can apply if they need to work in the UK under a contract signed and started before 31 December 2020. Certain non-Swiss nationals resident in Switzerland for at least 12 months may also qualify.
2. How long can I stay in the UK on this visa?
You can stay in the UK for up to 90 days per calendar year. The limit applies individually to each applicant, regardless of how many contracts their employer holds.
3. Can my family join me on this visa?
No. Dependants cannot accompany applicants under this route.
4. Can I extend my stay if the contract is prolonged?
No in-country extensions are allowed. If further time is needed and eligibility still applies, you must leave the UK and make a new application from abroad.
5. Is the visa free of charge?
Yes. There is currently no application fee. However, you must attend a biometric appointment, and depending on your location, you may incur local service charges at the visa application centre.
6. Does this visa lead to permanent residence?
No. The route does not provide a pathway to settlement and will end completely on 31 December 2025.
Section Summary: The FAQs confirm that this visa is a short-term, transitional route with no settlement rights, no dependants, and a strict 90-day per-year cap. Applicants must reapply from outside the UK if more time is needed, and the scheme will end in December 2025.
Section G: Glossary
| Biometric Information | Fingerprints and a digital photograph taken at a visa application centre to verify an applicant’s identity. |
| Contractual Obligation | A binding agreement between a Swiss service provider and a UK client requiring the applicant’s presence in the UK. |
| Eligibility Criteria | The conditions that must be met to apply, such as nationality, employment status, and contract requirements. |
| NHS Access | Visa holders are entitled to emergency care but must pay for most other NHS services, as no Immigration Health Surcharge is payable under this visa. |
| Pre-existing Contract | A contract signed and commenced before 11pm on 31 December 2020 between a Swiss company and a UK client. |
| Processing Time | The average period taken by UKVI to decide an application, typically around three weeks from biometric enrolment. |
| Service Providers from Switzerland Visa | A temporary UK visa for Swiss nationals and qualifying residents to work in the UK on pre-Brexit contracts. |
| UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) | The UK government department responsible for processing visa applications and managing immigration control. |
| Visa Application Centre | A location where applicants provide biometrics and submit supporting documents for their visa application. |
| Visa Vignette | A sticker placed in the passport showing the visa holder’s permission to enter and work in the UK. |
Section H: Additional Resources
| UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) | Official government department responsible for managing visa and immigration processes. |
| Apply for a UK Visa | Guidance and online application service for UK visa applicants. |
| Check UK Visa Processing Times | Latest information on average visa processing times for different categories. |
| Right to Work in the UK | Employer guidance on verifying immigration status and right to work. |
| Visa Application Centres | Search tool to find your nearest visa application centre for biometrics and document submission. |
| Swiss Embassy in the UK | Contact information and consular services for Swiss nationals in the UK. |
| DavidsonMorris: Swiss Service Providers Visa | Specialist legal guidance on applying for the Swiss Service Providers visa route. |
| Xpats.io: Service Providers from Switzerland Visa | Practical information for Swiss nationals on eligibility and applications under this route. |
