If you are planning a trip to the United Kingdom with your Filipino nanny or domestic worker, it is important to understand that a standard tourist visa is not appropriate for this purpose. Entering the UK with the intention of working while holding a tourist visa is prohibited and may result in refusal of entry, deportation, and a ban on future visa applications.
For a legal trip with your Filipino nanny as part of your household, there is a specific visa category available — the Overseas Domestic Worker visa. This article provides a comprehensive guide for employers from the UAE who wish to correctly arrange a visa for their domestic staff. We will examine the requirements for both employers and employees, the step-by-step application process, costs, and processing times.
Natalia, an expert at The Visa Services, advises:
“We regularly assist families from Dubai and Abu Dhabi in taking their domestic staff on trips abroad. In the case of the UK, the most common mistake is attempting to obtain a standard tourist visa for the nanny. This almost invariably leads to refusal. The Overseas Domestic Worker visa is the only legal pathway, and its application requires a thorough understanding of all requirements, particularly regarding the nanny’s length of service with the employer.”
Which visa does a Filipino nanny need for travel to the United Kingdom?
The distinction between a tourist visa (Standard Visitor) and a visa for domestic staff (Overseas Domestic Worker) is fundamental. A tourist visa permits entry to the UK for leisure purposes but does not confer the right to work. If a visa officer determines that a nanny will perform her duties in the UK — caring for children, managing household tasks — while entering on a tourist visa, this constitutes a breach of immigration law and will result in refusal.
Below is a comparative table outlining the criteria that differentiate the tourist visa from the work visa.
| Characteristic | Tourist Visa | Domestic Worker Visa |
| Purpose of trip | Tourism, leisure, visiting relatives | Domestic work as part of the employer’s household during their trip |
| Is work permitted? | No, strictly prohibited | Yes, but only as domestic staff for the current employer |
| Primary requirement | Financial solvency and intention to return | Minimum 12 months of employment with the same employer |
| Maximum duration | Up to 6 months | 6 months |
As demonstrated, these are not interchangeable options. Selecting the incorrect visa type is an error that will jeopardise the entire trip.
Key requirement: 12 months of employment with you
Before submitting any documents, verify the most critical requirement: your nanny or domestic worker must have been formally employed by you and residing with you or in your household on a regular basis for at least 12 months prior to the date of application. This rule exists to prevent instances where staff are hired specifically for the purpose of travel to the UK.
This means that if you wish to take a nanny who has been working for you for only a few months, obtaining a visa under this category will not be possible. You will need to wait until she has completed the required period of employment, or consider other alternatives (which, in practice, do not exist for working in the UK).
Documents from the employer
Your responsibility as the employer is to provide a comprehensive package of documents demonstrating your financial solvency, good character, and the nature of your relationship with your employee. Follow this checklist.
Employer support letter
This is the key document in which you must confirm that the individual has been employed by you as a nanny or domestic worker for more than 12 months, and that you are taking her on the trip to the UK. She will continue to perform her duties during the trip. You undertake to pay her at least the UK National Minimum Wage for the duration of the stay.
Proof of your financial solvency
Provide bank statements for the last 3–6 months to allow the visa officer to verify that you can cover all travel and accommodation expenses for yourself and your staff. Nannies often receive salaries in cash, making the employer’s bank statement an essential component.
No Objection Letter (NOC)
A letter of consent from you, confirming that you are the sponsor of the trip and that you assume all associated costs.
Documents confirming employment history
This may include the employment contract, a copy of the nanny’s work visa or Emirates ID, and payroll records.
Documents from the employee
The employee, in turn, must prepare the following package of documents:
- Valid passport. The expiry date must be no earlier than 6 months after the date of the trip’s conclusion.
- Valid UAE residence visa.
- Completed online visa application form for the Domestic Worker in a Private Household category on the UK government website.
- Evidence of employment and ties to the family: payslips or salary statements, employment contract, previous visas showing travel with this employer.
Step-by-step visa application process in 2026
The visa application process for a nanny is broadly similar to the standard visa procedure, but requires meticulous attention to detail.
Step 1. Eligibility check
Confirm that your nanny has been employed by you for at least one year and is over 19 years of age.
Step 2. Document collection
Prepare and verify all documents from the two checklists above. The absence of even a single document is a frequent cause of refusal.
Step 3. Form completion
The form must be completed by the employee herself on the UK government website. It is important to answer all questions clearly and truthfully. As the employer, you assist with documentation and payment.
Step 4. Fee payment and biometric appointment
After submitting the application, the visa fee must be paid, and an appointment for biometric data collection (fingerprints and photograph) must be scheduled at the visa application centre.
Step 5. Document submission at the visa application centre
On the appointed day, the employee attends the visa application centre with all documents and passport. Following this, the decision is awaited.
Cost and processing times for the UK visa
The visa fee is approximately £682 GBP per person. Verify the current fee on the official gov.uk website prior to submission, as it is subject to change.
Standard processing takes up to 3 weeks. If necessary, a paid Priority Service may be available for an additional fee, typically allowing for a decision within 5 working days, while the Super Priority service offers a decision within 24 hours.
Natalia, an expert at The Visa Services, states:
“The most common reason for refusal in this category is the inability to prove 12 months of employment history. We recommend submitting not only the employment contract but also copies of payslips for each month, as well as copies of messages or photographs confirming previous shared travel and daily life. The more transparency you provide, the higher the chances of approval. I would also caution against attempting to circumvent the requirements by applying for a tourist visa. This is a direct route to refusal and future difficulties.”
If you are uncertain about your ability to handle the process, are concerned about making errors, or lack the time to manage the paperwork, consider entrusting the process to professionals. The Visa Services has extensive experience with UK visas for domestic staff from the UAE. We review your document package and identify any gaps.
Need fast, professional visa assistance?
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Yes, absolutely. To work as domestic staff, the Overseas Domestic Worker visa is required. A tourist visa is not suitable for work purposes.
The employer must provide a confirmation letter, documents proving financial solvency (bank statements), the nanny’s employment contract, and a No Objection Letter (NOC).
No, this is strictly prohibited and constitutes a breach of immigration regulations. A separate visa must be obtained for this purpose.
The current fee for 2026 is approximately £682. We recommend verifying the exact amount on the official gov.uk website before submitting your application.
The standard processing time is up to 3 weeks. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
