GBM SENIOR OR SPECIALIST WORKER
The UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is designed for senior executives and specialized employees who want to temporarily work in the UK through an intra-company transfer linked to their overseas employer.
This visa does not provide a direct path to settling in the UK, but switching to another immigration route that allows settlement may be possible. The visa holder's partner and dependent children may accompany them.
Requirements for a UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker
In order to qualify for a UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy the below UK Visas and Immigration laws:
- You are aged 18 or over
- You are currently working for a business or organisation that is linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control, or by a joint venture on which you are sponsored to work;
- You have worked outside the UK for the linked business or organisation for a cumulative period of at least 12 months, unless you are a high earner earning £73,900 per year or more;
- You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor for the job you are planning to do;
- The job you are planning to do is genuine;
- The job you are planning to do is skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent);
- Your salary will be equal to or exceed both £42,400 per year and the ‘going rate’ for the job;
- Your UK sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge;
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
- You have provided a valid TB certificate if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Overseas Work Requirement
If you apply for a UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa and your annual salary is less than £73,900 (based on working no more than 48 hours per week), you must have worked for the linked business or organization for at least 12 months either outside the UK or continuously for the linked business, including UK and overseas work, with any breaks limited to statutory leave, sick leave, assisting with a humanitarian or environmental crisis with sponsor approval, or lawful industrial action.
However, if you earn £73,900 or more per year, you must currently be employed by a business linked to your UK sponsor through common ownership or control or a joint venture, but there is no specific time requirement for having worked outside the UK.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement
To obtain a UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for your intended job.
The certificate must be issued by an employer authorized by the Home Office to sponsor a Senior or Specialist Worker and must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office's register of licensed sponsors, unless you previously held permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker and are applying to work for the same sponsor.
Your Certificate of Sponsorship must not be older than 3 months from the date of your UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa application.
Your Certificate of Sponsorship must include certain mandatory information, including:
- Details of your name, job and salary;
- Confirmation that you have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months unless you are a high earner earning £73,900 per year or more;
- A start date which is no more than 3 months after the date of your Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa application;
- Confirmation that the Certificate of Sponsorship has not been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and has not been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office.
Genuine Job Requirement
To be granted a UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you must demonstrate to the Home Office that the job you are being sponsored for is genuine.
Your application will be rejected if there is evidence to suggest that the job does not exist, is a sham, or was created primarily to obtain the visa.
The Home Office must also be satisfied that you are not entering into an arrangement to fill a temporary or permanent position with a third party not related to your sponsor or engaging in contract work with a third party not related to your sponsor.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Job Skill Level Requirement
To be eligible for a UK Global Business Mobility - Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, the job you are being sponsored for must meet a certain skill level.
The job must be at least equivalent to a graduate-level role, with a skill level of RQF Level 6. Holding a degree is not a requirement, but the role must meet the minimum skill level.
The Home Office has published a list of jobs that are eligible for a Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa. The list includes the relevant occupation code, job type and related job titles.
To be eligible for a UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, the job you will be performing must meet the minimum skill level requirement.
This means it must be a graduate-level position, equivalent to RQF Level 6, and be listed as an eligible job. Your sponsor must select the appropriate occupation code for the job.
The Home Office may reject the application if there are reasons to believe that the chosen occupation code is not suitable, considering factors such as the genuineness of the job description, your qualifications and experience, and the sponsor's compliance history with immigration regulations.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Salary Requirement
Employers transferring an employee under the UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa must offer a salary that meets both the general requirement and the established salary level for the job.
The general salary requirement is £42,400 annually. The applicant must receive a salary equal to or greater than £42,400 per year, or higher than 100% of the going rate for the occupation.
The salary evaluation includes guaranteed basic gross pay (for a maximum of 48 hours per week), as well as guaranteed allowances such as London weighting or mobility premiums to cover the increased cost of living in the UK.
The Home Office has published a list of going rates for eligible Global Business Mobility occupation codes. The annual salaries stated are based on a 39-hour working week and must be pro-rated for other working patterns.
Your full weekly hours will be included when checking your salary against the going rate, even if you work more than 48 hours per week.
Immigration Skills Charge Requirement
The sponsoring employer must pay the required Immigration Skills Charge in full prior to assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship to a foreign worker. This charge must be paid each time a sponsor assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship to a migrant and is a fee for each foreign worker that the employer intends to hire.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Financial Requirement
To be eligible for a UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you will generally need to have at least £1,270 in available funds.
This requirement applies unless your sponsor is willing to cover your maintenance costs for the first month of your employment, to an amount of at least £1,270.
In this case, your sponsor must indicate their commitment on your Certificate of Sponsorship. If you have been in the UK with valid permission for 12 months or more at the time of your application, you are exempt from the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.
To meet this requirement, the funds must have been held for 28 consecutive days and must have been available no more than 31 days before the date of your application.
UK Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa English Language Requirement
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.
Switching into the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Route
If you are currently in the UK with permission in another immigration category, you can change your status to the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route by applying for an extension, unless your previous permission was as a Visitor, short-term student, parent of a child, student, seasonal worker, domestic worker in a private household or outside of the immigration rules.
Duration of a Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
If your Global Business Mobility Visa application as a Senior or Specialist Worker is approved, you will receive entry clearance for the shorter of either the duration specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days or 5 years.
You can apply for an extension of your Senior or Specialist Worker Visa or a new one repeatedly until reaching the maximum allowed time limit in that category.
Maximum Time in the Global Business Mobility Routes
If your application for a Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is successful you will be able to extend your stay in the UK up to a maximum period of:
- 5 years in any 6 year period if you are paid less than £73,900 per year; or
- 9 years in any 10 year period if you are paid £73,900 or more per year.
When calculating the period of time spent on the Global Business Mobility routes the Home Office will consider all previous periods of permission granted on the Global Business Mobility routes and all previous periods of permission granted on the Intra-Company routes.
Under a previous version of the route, there was a cooling-off requirement which prevented a person re-entering the UK on the route for 12 months after departing. This cooling-off provision no longer applies.
Conditions of Stay on a UK Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa holders are permitted to work for their sponsor in the job described on their Certificate of Sponsorship. They may also undertake a course of study and voluntary work. Access to public funds is not permitted.
Settlement on the Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Route
The Global Business Mobility Visa for senior or specialist workers does not provide an automatic path to settle in the UK.
However, after arriving in the UK, it is possible to transition to other immigration routes that lead to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker or the Start-up and the Innovator combination.
To be eligible for these options, you must meet the requirements of the desired immigration route. Our website has information on all major immigration routes and whether they allow for settlement. Additionally, if you have lived in the UK for a long time, you may be eligible to extend your stay until you can qualify for settlement based on long residence.
Dependants of UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Visa applicants
Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa holders can be joined or accompanied by a dependent partner over the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 18.
GBM: GRADUATE TRAINEE
The UK Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa is for foreign workers who are being transferred to the UK by their employer for a work-based learning opportunity that is part of a graduate training program leading to a senior managerial or specialist position (known as an intra-company transfer for graduate trainees).
This visa does not provide a direct path to settlement in the UK, but it is possible to switch to another immigration route that does offer a settlement.
The visa holder's partner and dependent children may also accompany them. There is no restriction on the number of graduate trainees a UK sponsor can sponsor.
Requirements for a UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee
In order to qualify for a UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You are aged 18 or over
- You are currently working for a business or organisation that is linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control, or by a joint venture on which you are sponsored to work, and have worked outside the UK for this business or organisation for at least 3 months immediately before the date of your visa application;
- You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor for the job you are planning to do;
- The job you are planning to do is genuine;
- The job you are planning to do is skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent);
- You will be paid a salary which equals or exceeds £23,100 per year and 70% of the pro-rated going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher;
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
- You have provided a valid TB certificate if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa Overseas Work Requirement
To apply for the UK Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa, you must be employed by a company or organization that has a relationship with your UK sponsor through shared ownership or control, or through a joint venture for which you are sponsored to work.
You must have also been continuously working for this company or organization outside of the UK for a minimum of 3 months immediately prior to submitting your visa application. This 3-month work period must be unbroken and cannot include any time spent working in the UK.
UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement
To obtain a UK Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa, you must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you are seeking to do.
This certificate must be issued by an employer who is authorized by the Home Office to sponsor the job through the Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee route. Your sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office's list of licensed sponsors unless you have previously been granted permission as a Graduate Trainee and are now applying to continue working for the same sponsor.
The Certificate of Sponsorship must be issued no more than 3 months prior to your application for the Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa.
Your Certificate of Sponsorship must include certain mandatory information, including:
- Details of your name, job and salary
- Confirmation that you are currently working for a business or organisation that is linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control, or by a joint venture on which you are sponsored to work, and have worked outside the UK for this business or organisation for at least 3 months immediately before the date of your visa application
- A start date which is no more than 3 months after the date of your Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa application
- Confirmation that the Certificate of Sponsorship has not been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and has not been withdrawn by your sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office
Genuine Job Requirement
To receive a UK Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa, you must satisfy the Home Office that the job you are being sponsored for is genuine.
If there are valid reasons to believe that the job is non-existent, fake, or created primarily for the purpose of obtaining the visa, your application will be denied.
Additionally, the Home Office must be satisfied that you are not involved in an arrangement in which you will take up a temporary or permanent position, or perform contracted work that involves regularly performing a role or providing a service to a third party who is not your sponsor.
UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa Job Skill Level Requirement
In order to qualify for a UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa, the job you are being sponsored to do must be an eligible job at or above a minimum skill level.
The job you are planning to do must be skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent). You do not necessarily need to hold a degree, but the role must be equivalent to a graduate-level role.
The Home Office has published a list of jobs that are eligible for a Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa. The list includes the relevant occupation code, job type and related job titles.
You typically satisfy the job skill level requirement if the job you are being sponsored for is on the list. However, your sponsor must select the proper occupation code.
If the Home Office finds that your sponsor has not selected the appropriate code, your application for the UK Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa will be denied. When determining whether the appropriate code was chosen, the Home Office will consider factors such as the legitimacy of the need for the job as described, whether you have the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience for the job, and the sponsor's record of compliance with immigration regulations.
To be eligible for a UK Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa, the job must be part of a structured graduate training program with a defined path to a managerial or specialist role within your sponsor organization.
UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa Salary Requirement
Under the UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa, employers must pay employees a minimum salary equal to either the general requirement of £23,100 per year or 70% of the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. In health or education fields, the salary must equal 100% of the going rate.
The salary assessment includes guaranteed basic gross pay, allowances for the duration of UK employment, and any additional allowances for living in the UK.
The Home Office has published a list of going rates for eligible Global Business Mobility occupation codes. The annual salaries stated are based on a 39-hour working week and must be pro-rated for other working patterns.
Your full weekly hours will be included when checking your salary against the going rate, even if you work more than 48 hours per week.
Immigration Skills Charge Requirement
Employers that are authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Graduate Trainee are not required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee Visa Financial Requirement
To obtain the Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee Visa, you must have a minimum of £1,270 in cash funds unless you are exempt.
Exemptions include: having a sponsor who will cover your first month's expenses, up to £1,270 if needed, or if you have been in the UK for 12 months or more with valid permission at the time of application.
The 28-day holding period for the funds must end no more than 31 days before your visa application. The sponsor's commitment must be stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa English Language Requirement
Graduate Trainee Visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.
Switching into the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee Route
If you have existing leave to remain under a different immigration category, you can extend your stay by switching to the Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee route, except if you have previously been granted, or are currently holding, permission as a Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or outside of immigration regulations.
Duration of a Global Business Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee Visa
Upon approval of your Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa application, you will be given entry clearance for either 1 year from your job's start date as specified in your Certificate of Sponsorship or the time listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship, whichever is shorter.
Your visa cannot be extended but you may apply for another Graduate Trainee visa from outside the UK.
Maximum Time in the Global Business Mobility Routes
If your Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa application is approved, you can remain in the UK for up to 5 years within any 6-year period. The Home Office will take into account all previous periods of permission granted on both the Global Business Mobility and Intra-Company routes when determining your total stay in the UK.
Conditions of Stay on a UK Global Business Mobility: Graduate Trainee Visa
UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa holders are permitted to work for their sponsor in the job described on their Certificate of Sponsorship. They may also undertake a course of study and voluntary work. Access to public funds is not permitted.
Settlement on the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee Route
The Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa in the UK does not provide a direct path to settlement. However, while in the UK, you may have the opportunity to switch to other immigration routes, such as the Skilled Worker or the Start-up combined with the Innovator route, which could lead to settlement. You must meet the criteria for the chosen immigration route.
Information on all the main immigration routes and their eligibility for settlement can be found on our website. Additionally, you may be able to extend your stay and eventually qualify for settlement through long residence.
Dependants of UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee Visa Applicants
UK Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa holders can be joined or accompanied by a dependent partner over the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 18.
GBM: UK EXPANSION WORKER
The UK Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa is for senior managers and specialist employees who wish to be assigned to the UK temporarily to undertake work related to the expansion of an overseas business in the UK. Sponsors may send a maximum of 5 workers at a time.
The UK Expansion Worker route is only applicable if the UK business has not yet begun operations.
If the business is already active in the UK, the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa should be applied for instead. To obtain a UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must have a job offer from a licensed employer that meets specific skill and salary criteria. Employers can find more information in the guidance provided by the Home Office for obtaining a UK Expansion Worker sponsor license.
Holding a UK Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa does not guarantee settlement in the UK, but it may lead to switching to a different immigration route that does. Family members, such as a partner and dependent children, may accompany the applicant.
Requirements for a UK Global Business Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker
In order to qualify for a UK Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You are aged 18 or over;
- You are currently working for a business or organisation that is linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control;
- You have worked outside the UK for the linked business or organisation for a cumulative period of at least 12 months, unless you are a high earner earning £73,900 per year or more or you are a Japanese national seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary of the linked business or organisation under the UK- Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement;
- You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor for the job you are planning to do;
- The job you are planning to do is genuine;
- The job you are planning to do is skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent);
- Your salary will be equal to or exceed both £42,400 per year and the ‘going rate’ for the job;
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
- You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker Visa Overseas Work Requirement
To apply for a UK Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must meet certain requirements. If your annual salary is less than £73,900 (based on a 48-hour workweek) and you are not a Japanese national seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary, you must:
- Be currently employed by a business or organization linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control
- Have worked outside the UK for a total of at least 12 months, either as an employee, self-employed contractor, or otherwise
These 12 months of work outside the UK may have been accumulated over time, as long as you were continuously working for the linked business or organization (in the UK or abroad) for at least 12 months prior to your visa application and any breaks were for statutory leave, sick leave, assisting with a humanitarian or environmental crisis, or participating in lawful industrial action.
If you earn £73,900 per year or more or are a Japanese national seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, you must be employed by a business or organization linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control, but there is no specific period of overseas work required.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker Visa Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement
To apply for a UK Global Business Mobility - UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job in question. The certificate must be issued by an A-rated employer authorized by the Home Office to sponsor UK Expansion Workers unless you previously worked for the same sponsor or if you are the authorizing Officer for the sponsor with a provisional rating on the Home Office's register.
The certificate must be no more than 3 months old at the time of visa application and must include mandatory information such as sponsor details, job details, and salary, including the following:
- Details of your name, job and salary
- Confirmation that you have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months unless you are a high earner earning £73,900 per year or more or you are a Japanese national seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary of the linked business or organisation under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
- A start date which is no more than 3 months after the date of your Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa application
- Confirmation that the Certificate of Sponsorship has not been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and has not been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office
Genuine Job Requirement
To obtain a UK Global Business Mobility - UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must convince the Home Office that your sponsorship is for a genuine job.
If there is evidence to suggest that the job is fake, a sham, or created solely for visa purposes, your application will be denied.
Additionally, the Home Office will ensure that you are not entering into an agreement to work for a third party not listed as your sponsor or providing routine services to another party without sponsorship.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker Job Skill Level Requirement
In order to qualify for a UK Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa, the job you are being sponsored to do must be an eligible job at or above a minimum skill level.
The job you are planning to do must be skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent). You do not necessarily need to hold a degree, but the role must be equivalent to a graduate-level role.
The Home Office has published a list of jobs that are eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes. The list includes the relevant occupation code, job type and related job titles.
Your sponsorship for a job will typically meet the necessary skill level requirement if the job is on the list. However, your sponsor must pick a suitable occupation code.
If the Home Office determines that the chosen code is not the most appropriate, your application for a UK Global Business Mobility Visa will be denied. The Home Office will evaluate factors such as the genuineness of the job requirement, your suitability for the job based on skills, qualifications, and experience, and the sponsor's past compliance with immigration regulations in deciding the appropriate code.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker Salary Requirement
Employers who want to transfer an employee under the UK Global Business Mobility Visa Expansion Worker route must pay a salary that meets or exceeds the general salary requirement and the prevailing wage for the specific occupation (as listed in the relevant code).
The general salary requirement for the Expansion Worker route is £42,400 per year. As a result, most applicants for the UK Global Business Mobility Expansion Worker Visa must receive a salary of at least £42,400 per year or 100% of the pro-rated going rate for their occupation, whichever is higher.
The salary assessment is based on guaranteed basic gross pay (up to 48 hours per week) plus guaranteed allowances such as London weighting or mobility premium or to cover the cost of living in the UK.
The Home Office has published a list of going rates for eligible Global Business Mobility occupation codes. The annual salaries stated are based on a 39-hour working week and must be pro-rated for other working patterns.
Immigration Skills Charge Requirement
Employers that are authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a UK Expansion Worker are not required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker Visa Financial Requirement
Subject to the exemption below, you will need to have cash funds of at least £1,270 available.
You will need to have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of your UK Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa application.
If you are applying for permission to stay and have been in the UK with permission for 12 months or more at the date of application, you will meet the financial requirement and will not need to show funds.
UK Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa English Language Requirement
UK Expansion Worker Visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.
Switching into the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker Route
If you currently have to leave to remain in another immigration category, you may extend your stay by switching to the UK Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route unless you have, or were last granted, permission as a Visitor, Short- term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household or outside the Immigration Rules.
Duration of a Global Business Mobility Visa: Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
If your application for a UK Global Business Mobility Expansion Worker Visa is accepted, you will be given entry clearance for either 1 year from the start date of your sponsored job (as indicated in your Certificate of Sponsorship) or the duration specified in your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. If you wish to stay longer in the UK, you may apply to extend your visa for another 12 months.
The maximum length of stay in the UK on an Expansion Worker Visa is 2 years.
Maximum Time in the Global Business Mobility Routes
If you have previously spent time in the UK on the Global Mobility Routes or the former Intra-company routes, you may not be able to stay in the UK on the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa for the entire length of time stated.
This is due to the rule that you can only remain in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in a 6-year period if you have a history of staying in the Global Business Mobility routes or the former intra-company routes.
Conditions of Stay on a UK Global Business Mobility: UK Expansion Worker Visa
UK Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa holders are permitted to work for their sponsor in the job described on their Certificate of Sponsorship. They may also undertake a course of study and voluntary work. Access to public funds is not permitted.
Settlement on the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker Route
The UK Global Business Mobility Visa, also known as the UK Expansion Worker Visa, does not guarantee settlement in the UK. However, once you are in the UK, you have the option to switch to another immigration route that does offer a path to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker or the Start-up route combined with the Innovator route.
To be eligible for these routes, you must meet their specific requirements. Information about all major immigration routes, including if they lead to settlement, can be found on the website. Additionally, if you have been in the UK for a long time, you may be eligible to extend your stay until you qualify for settlement through Long Residence.
Dependants of UK Global Business Mobility Visa: UK Expansion Worker Visa applicants
Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa holders can be joined or accompanied by a dependent partner over the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 18.
GBM: SECONDMENT WORKER
The UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa is for overseas workers who wish to be temporarily seconded to the UK by their overseas employer as part of a high value contract or investment.
The UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa does not lead directly to settlement in the UK. However, you may be able to switch into another immigration route which does lead to settlement. Applicants may be joined or accompanied by a partner and dependent children.
Requirements for a UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker
In order to qualify for a UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You are aged 18 or over;
- You are currently working for an overseas business that has a contract with your sponsor worth at least £50 million that has been registered with the Home Office by the sponsor (unless you are applying for an
- You have worked outside the UK for that overseas business for a cumulative period of at least 12 months (unless you are applying for an extension to work for the same sponsor);
- You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor for the job you are planning to do;
- The job you are planning to do is genuine;
- The job you are planning to do is skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent);
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
- You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa Overseas Work Requirement
To apply for a UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa, you must be employed by an overseas business that has a contract with your UK sponsor and has been registered with the Home Office.
You must also have worked outside of the UK for the overseas business for a total of at least 12 months.
This work experience can include previous work as long as you were continuously employed by the overseas business, whether inside or outside the UK, and any breaks in employment were only for specified reasons such as maternity or paternity leave, adoption leave, sick leave, or lawful industrial action. If you are already a Secondment
Workers who are applying to continue working for the same sponsor, are not required to meet the overseas work requirement.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker Visa Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement
In order to obtain a UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa you will need to have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you are planning to do. Your Certificate of Sponsorship will need to have been issued by a UK-based employer that is authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Secondment Worker.
Your sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless you were last granted permission as a Secondment Worker and are applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in your last permission.
Your sponsor must have a contract with the overseas business that you are working for, that contract must have been registered with the Home Office and you must be planning to work as a Secondment Worker on that contract.
Your Certificate of Sponsorship must have been issued not more than 3 months before the date of your UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa application.
Your Certificate of Sponsorship must include certain mandatory information, including:
- Details of your name, job and salary;
- Confirmation that you are currently working for an overseas business that has a contract with your sponsor that has been registered with the Home Office by the sponsor and have worked outside the UK for that overseas business for a cumulative period of at least 12 months (unless you are applying for an extension to work for the same sponsor);.
- A start date which is no more than 3 months after the date of your Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa application;
Confirmation that the Certificate of Sponsorship has not been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and has not been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office.
Genuine Job Requirement
To receive a UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa, you must convince the Home Office that the job you will be doing is genuine. If there are reasons to suspect that the job is fake or was created solely for the purpose of obtaining the visa, your application will be denied. Additionally, the Home Office will verify that you are not working for a third party other than your UK sponsor or providing ongoing services to a third party.
This means that you cannot fill a temporary or permanent position with anyone other than your sponsor or engage in contract work that involves a routine role or ongoing services for a third party that is not your sponsor.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker Job Skill Level Requirement
In order to qualify for a UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa, the job you are being sponsored to do must be an eligible job at or above a minimum skill level.
The job you are planning to do must be skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent). You do not necessarily need to hold a degree, but the role must be equivalent to a graduate-level role.
The Home Office has published a list of jobs that are eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes. The list includes the relevant occupation code, job type and related job titles.
If the job you are being sponsored for is listed, you typically meet the job skill level requirement. However, your UK sponsor must select a suitable occupation code.
If the Home Office has reason to believe that the chosen code is not appropriate, your Global Business Mobility Visa application will be declined. The Home Office will assess the appropriateness of the chosen occupation code by considering factors such as the genuine need for the job, your relevant skills, qualifications, and experience, and the sponsor's compliance history with the immigration system.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker Salary Requirement
UK-based employers that are authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Secondment Worker under the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker route do not need to satisfy either a general salary requirement or the ‘going rate’ for the occupation (as set out in the relevant occupation code mentioned above).
Immigration Skills Charge Requirement
UK-based employers that are authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Secondment Worker are not required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker Financial Requirement
Subject to the exemptions below, you will need to have cash funds of at least £1,270 available.
You will need to have held the money for at least 28 consecutive days ending not more than 31 days before the date of your UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa application.
You will be exempt from the financial requirement if your sponsor is willing to meet your maintenance costs up to the end of the first month of your employment, to an amount of at least £1,270, if necessary. Your sponsor will need to confirm this on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
If you are applying for permission to stay and have been in the UK with permission for 12 months or more at the date of application, you will meet the financial requirement and will not need to show funds.
UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa English Language Requirement
UK Secondment Worker Visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.
Switching into the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker Route
If you currently have to leave to remain in the UK in another immigration category, you may extend your stay by switching into the UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker route unless you have, or were last granted, permission as a Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household or outside the Immigration Rules.
Duration of a UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker Visa
If your UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa application is accepted, you will be granted entry clearance for a period of 1 year from the start date of the job indicated on your Certificate of Sponsorship, or the time specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. You can apply to extend your visa for an additional 12 months.
The maximum stay in the UK on a Secondment Worker visa is limited to 2 years.
Maximum Time in the Global Business Mobility Routes
The maximum stay allowed under the Global Business Mobility Routes is 5 years in a 6-year span. In determining the length of stay on the routes, the Home Office will take into account all previous authorizations granted under the Global Business Mobility routes and all previous authorizations granted under the Intra-company routes.
Conditions of Stay on a UK Global Business Mobility: Secondment Worker Visa
UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa holders are permitted to work for their sponsor in the job described on their Certificate of Sponsorship. They may also undertake a course of study and voluntary work. Access to public funds is not permitted.
Settlement on the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker Route
The UK Global Business Mobility - Secondment Worker Visa does not automatically provide a path to settlement in the UK. However, after arriving in the UK, it may be possible to transition to another immigration route that leads to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker route or a combination of the Start-up route and Innovator route. To move to this immigration route, you will have to meet the criteria for the specific route.
Information about all main immigration routes and whether they allow for settlement can be found on our website. Additionally, you may be able to extend your stay until you are eligible for settlement through Long Residence.
Dependants of UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Secondment Worker Visa Applicants
UK Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker Visa holders can be joined or accompanied by a dependent partner over the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 18.
SERVICE SUPPLIER
The UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa is for overseas workers who are either a contractual service supplier employed by an overseas service provider or a self-employed independent professionals based overseas, who need to undertake a temporary assignment in the UK to provide services covered by one of the UK’s international trade commitments.
The UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa does not provide a direct path to settlement in the UK, but it may be possible to switch to a different immigration route that does. Accompanying partners and dependent children are permitted.
Requirements for a UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier
In order to qualify for a UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:
- You are aged 18 or over;
- You are currently working as or for an overseas service provider that will provide services to your UK sponsor;
- You have worked as or for the overseas service provider outside the UK for a cumulative period of 12 months;
- Your UK sponsor has a contract with an overseas service provider, where that contract has been registered with the Home Office, and on which you as a Service Supplier will work;
- You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor for the job you are planning to do;
- The job you are planning to do is genuine;
- The job you are planning to do is skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent) or you have a degree and 3 to 6 years experience;
- You satisfy a nationality requirement;
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
- You have provided a valid TB certificate, if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Visa Overseas Work Requirement
In order to be eligible for a UK Global Business Mobility - Service Supplier Visa, you must have worked as or for an overseas service provider for a cumulative period of 12 months before the date of application.
The 12 months of work can have taken place over any period, as long as you were continuously working for your overseas service provider either in or outside the UK. If you are a self-employed service provider, you must have continuously worked in the same sector as the services you will provide to your UK sponsor. Any breaks in the 12-month period must be due to approved reasons such as maternity leave, sick leave, or participation in lawful industrial action.
GBM: SERVICE SUPPLIER VISA
Contract Requirement
Your UK sponsor must have a contract with an overseas service provider, where that contract has been registered with the Home Office, and on which you, as a Service Supplier, will work.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Visa Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement
To apply for a UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa, you must have a current Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you plan to do. The certificate must be issued by a Home Office-authorized sponsor that is listed as A-rated on the register of licensed sponsors unless you previously worked for the same sponsor and are now seeking to continue the same role.
The certificate must be no older than 3 months at the time of your visa application.
Your Certificate of Sponsorship must include certain mandatory information, including:
- Details of your name, job and salary;
- Confirmation that you have worked as or for your overseas service provider outside the UK for a cumulative period of 12 months;
- A start date which is no more than 3 months after the date of your Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa application;
- Confirmation that the Certificate of Sponsorship has not been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and has not been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office.
Genuine Job Requirement
To be eligible for a UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa, your sponsorship must be genuine and not created just for visa purposes. The Home Office must be satisfied that the job you are being sponsored for is legitimate and not a sham.
It is also important to note that working for a third party who is not the sponsor, or doing contract work that involves providing an ongoing service to a third party who is not your sponsor, is not allowed under this visa category.
If there is evidence to suggest that your job is not genuine or has been created for visa purposes, your application may be declined.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Job Skill Level Requirement
Option A
To be eligible for a UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa, the sponsored job must be of a sufficient skill level, at or above the minimum requirement. The job must be equivalent to a graduate-level role, with a skill level of RQF Level 6 or higher.
A degree is not a requirement, but the role must be equal to a graduate-level position.
The Home Office has published a list of jobs that are eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes. The list includes the relevant occupation code, job type and related job titles.
If you want to obtain a UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa, the job you will be working on must meet the minimum skill level requirement. Typically, this requirement is met if the job is listed.
Your sponsor must choose an occupation code that accurately reflects the nature of the job, and the Home Office will assess if this is appropriate based on factors such as the need for the job, your qualifications and experience, and the sponsor's compliance history with immigration rules. If the Home Office finds that the chosen occupation code is not appropriate, your visa application may be rejected.
Option B
To be eligible for a UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa, you must possess a university degree or a similar level of technical qualification, unless you work for an overseas service provider that provides any of the following services, in which case the respective qualification requirement will apply:
- Fashion and modelling (none required)
- Chef de cuisine (an advanced technical qualification)
- Entertainment services (excluding audio-visual services under the
CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement) (none required) - Management consulting services and services related to management
consulting (managers and senior consultants) (university degree (an equivalent level technical qualification not permitted) - Advertising or translation (relevant qualifications)
- Technical testing and analysis (university degree or relevant technical qualification)
You will need to hold any professional qualifications or registrations required to provide the services under UK law or sectoral requirements.
You must have professional experience in the sector in which you will supply services as follows:
- 3 years experience; or
- If you are supplying chef de cuisine services under the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement, 6 years of experience; or
- If you are a self-employed overseas service provider, 6 years of experience
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Salary Requirement
Employers who have been given authorization by the Home Office to sponsor a Service Supplier through the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier route are exempt from meeting the general salary requirement or the standard compensation for the specific job role (as specified in the relevant occupation code).
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Nationality Requirement
In order to qualify for a UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa, you must be:
- A national of the country or territory in which the overseas service provider is based; or
- Where the service that you will provide is covered by a commitment in the General Agreement on Trade in Services and your employer is established in a country or territory that has made a notification under Article XXVIII(k)(ii)(2) of that agreement, a permanent resident of that country or territory; or
- Where the service that you will provide is covered by a commitment in the Temporary Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Services Mobility, a permanent resident of Switzerland; or
- Where the service that you will provide is covered by a commitment in the United Kingdom-European Union Trade and Cooperation Agreement, a national of any Member State of the European Union or any other person included in the definition of “natural person of a Party” for the European Union in Article 512(k) of that agreement; or
- Where the service that you will provide is covered by a contractual service supplier commitment in the CARIFORUM-United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement, a national of any CARIFORUM State that has provisionally applied or brought into force that agreement.
Immigration Skills Charge Requirement
Employers that are authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Service Supplier are not required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Visa Financial Requirement
To obtain a UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa, you must usually have at least £1,270 in available cash funds, which must have been held for a minimum of 28 consecutive days and ending not more than 31 days prior to the date of your visa application.
This requirement may be waived if your sponsor agrees to cover your maintenance expenses, which must be at least £1,270, for the first month of employment and confirms this on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
If you have been in the UK with valid permission for more than 12 months at the time of application, you are exempt from the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.
UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Visa English Language Requirement
Service Supplier Visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.
Switching into the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Route
If you are already in the UK on a different type of visa, you may change your visa status to the UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa, unless you previously or currently hold a visa as a Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or are in the UK without any immigration documentation.
Duration of a Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Visa
If your UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa application is approved, the length of your entry clearance will be either the time specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days or the maximum single assignment period as defined by relevant UK international trade commitments (6 or 12 months), whichever is shorter.
Maximum Time in the Global Business Mobility Routes
The Global Business Mobility Routes have a maximum duration limit of 5 years within any continuous 6 years period.
The Home Office will take into account all prior approvals given for the Global Business Mobility routes and all prior approvals granted on the Intra-company routes when determining the total time spent on these routes.
Conditions of Stay on a UK Global Business Mobility: Service Supplier Visa
UK Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa holders are permitted to work for their sponsor in the job described on their Certificate of Sponsorship. They may also undertake a course of study and voluntary work. Access to public funds is not permitted.
Settlement on the UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Route
The UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Visa does not grant automatic eligibility for permanent residency in the UK. But, if you're already in the country, you may have the opportunity to transition to another visa category that does offer a pathway to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker visa or the Start-up visa in conjunction with the Innovator visa.
To be eligible for these visas, you'll need to meet the specific requirements. Information on all the major visa options and whether they lead to settlement can be found on our website. You may also be eligible to extend your stay until you qualify for settlement on the basis of Long Residence.
You may also be eligible to extend your stay until you qualify for settlement on the basis of Long Residence.
Dependants of UK Global Business Mobility Visa: Service Supplier Visa Applicants
Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier Visa holders can be joined or accompanied by a dependent partner over the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 18.