Overseas Domestic Worker visa: American citizen → United Kingdom
You need a Overseas Domestic Worker visa
For domestic workers in a private household accompanying their employer on a visit to the UK.
The bottom line
- This visa is required from every nationality — it's about why you're coming, not which passport you hold. Only British and Irish citizens are exempt.
- How long you can stay: Up to 6 months.
When to start
Start 35 days–3 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
Gather the evidence the route requires (qualification, endorsement or scheme eligibility) before starting the application.
Passport, financial evidence, English language evidence where required, plus the route-specific items (CoS reference, endorsement letter, qualifications).
Complete the application on gov.uk and pay the fee and the immigration health surcharge if it applies. Your appointment booking happens as part of this application.
Book a visa application centre appointment in United States and attend with your documents to give fingerprints and a photo. You can choose ANY centre in the country — pick whichever city is convenient. Find your nearest on the official centre finder.
Standard processing is around 3 weeks after your appointment. Priority services are often available at extra cost if you're short on time. Don't book non-refundable travel until you have the decision.
When granted, check every detail (dates, conditions, spelling) immediately and report errors before travelling.
What you'll need
- Passport — Valid, with a blank page for the vignette; previous passports help show travel history.
- Financial evidence — Bank statements or payslips showing you can support yourself (and pay for the trip or course).
- English language evidence — Approved test, degree taught in English, or exempt nationality. · Most work routes
- TB test certificate — From an approved clinic. · If staying over 6 months and applying from a listed country
Good to know
- UK visas are now digital (eVisa) — apply and upload online, give biometrics at a centre, and your status is an online record, not a sticker or card.
Where you'll apply
Apply online on gov.uk, then prove your identity — usually biometrics at a visa application centre (VFS Global or TLScontact) in United States.
You can book any centre in United States — we don't assume which city you live in. Find your nearest visa application centre on the official list →
Continue on the official site →