Nanny Visa: Bring a Foreign Nanny / Baby Sitter to the UK

By Amar Ali, Immigration Solicitor

December 22, 2020

Last updated: 24 September 2024

The UK Nanny visa, known as the Overseas Domestic Worker visa, allows foreign nationals working as domestic workers in a private household to come to the UK. The Overseas Domestic Worker visa is for nannies but also a wide range of other domestic roles, including cleaners, chauffeurs, cooks, and individuals who provide personal care for their employer and their family members.

Overseas Domestic Worker visa holders can also travel abroad and return to the UK freely during their stay and change employers (to another domestic worker role in a private household). UK Nanny visa holders can stay in the UK for up to 6 months, however, this cannot be further extended.

An alternative to the UK Overseas Domestic Worker visa for nannies or babysitters who wish to stay in the UK for more than 6 months is the Skilled Worker visa. The eligible occupation code for this is ‘6114’ (Childminders), which covers baby sitter, childminder, mother's help, and nurse maid.

The Skilled Worker visa can be extended and can be used to gain indefinite leave to remain after 5 years. That said, to apply for a Skilled Worker visa, your employer must have a sponsor licence which most private households will not have. It is also important to note that it is not possible to switch from an Overseas Domestic Worker visa to a Skilled Worker visa in the UK once in the UK.

UK Nanny visa requirements

According to the UK nanny visa requirements, Overseas Domestic Worker visa applicants must:

be 19 years or older
have worked for their employer for a period of 12 months or more
carry out their role in the same household as their employer (or one they use regularly)
be travelling to the UK with their employer (including their partner or children)
be working as a full-time domestic worker in a UK household in which their employer will be residing
intend to depart the UK at the end of the 6 month period
have sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK
be paid at least the UK national minimum wage

As a nanny visa applicant, you will also need to show that your employer is:

a British citizen who normally resides outside the UK and is coming to spend time no more than 6 months in the UK, or
a foreign national who is coming to the UK for no more than 6 months

You will also need to provide a copy of your work conditions confirming that your employer will:

meet the national minimum wage requirements outlined above
not force you to work excessive hours
provide you with your agreed holiday pay
provide you with proper notice if your employment ends

If you plan to work in the UK as a nanny on a Skilled Worker visa, the eligibility rules require that you:

Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer (your employer must be an approved sponsor licence holder)
Have a role as an au pair, child care assistant, childminder, or nanny
Have a salary of at least £38,700 per year. If you are under 26, you only need to be paid 70% of your job’s usual going rate.
Speak, read, and write English to CEFR level B1 or higher
Have at least £1,270 held for 28 days or more to support yourself in the UK

How to apply for a nanny visa in UK

To apply for a nanny visa (Overseas Domestic Worker visa), you will need to complete the following steps:

Complete and submit the online application form¹ (this must be done from outside the UK and up to 3 months before your intended travel date)
Pay the application fee of £531
Book and attend an appointment with your nearest UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photo)
Upload any documents requested by the UK Home Office

Most nanny visa applications take around 3 weeks to process. Depending on which country you are applying from, it may be possible to pay an additional fee of £500 for the priority service for a decision within 5 working days, or £1000 for the super-priority service for a decision within 1 working day.