From 6 April 2012, there will be some changes to the procedure for sponsoring a private servant in a diplomatic household under Tier 5 of the points-based system.
Private servants in diplomatic households: changes affecting diplomatic missions
29 February 2012
From 6 April 2012, there will be some changes to the procedure for sponsoring a private servant in a diplomatic household under Tier 5 of the points-based system.
These private servants will continue to be able to come to the UK under Tier 5 (Temporary worker - International agreement), and will still need to be sponsored by the diplomatic mission. But the mission will need to add a 'sponsor note' to the certificate of sponsorship assigned to a private servant, giving the name of the diplomat for whom the private servant will work.
The private servant will only be able to work for this diplomat. They will not be able to change to work for another diplomat in the mission, and must leave the UK when the diplomat does (or earlier). The private servant will be able to stay for a maximum of 5 years.
We are also introducing a pre-entry requirement: the private servant and the diplomat for whom they will work must agree and sign written terms and conditions of employment (covering issues such as hours of work, salary and time off). This document must be completed before the private servant can be sponsored, and must be included with their visa application. As the sponsor, the mission will agree that the private servant's written terms and conditions conform to all relevant UK and European legislation, such as the National Minimum Wage Act and the EU working time directive.
These changes do not affect private servants who are exempt from immigration control because they are servants of the head of a diplomatic mission employed and paid directly by your country.