Global Business Mobility Visa

Global Business Mobility Visa Routes

Global Business Mobility Visa routes offer an array of sponsored work visa categories tailored to overseas businesses looking to support their operations in the UK. These categories include:

  • Senior or Specialist Worker visa
  • Graduate Trainee visa
  • Secondment Worker visa
  • Service Supplier visa
  • UK Expansion Worker visa

It is important to note that these visa categories of Global Business Mobility do not lead to settlement in the UK.

Senior or Specialist Worker visa

The Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route caters to overseas workers undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK. This applies to individuals in senior managerial or specialist employee roles being assigned to a UK business linked to their overseas employer, commonly known as intra-company transfers or ICT. Partners and dependent children can also accompany them.

To qualify for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, you must meet the following criteria:

  • existing employee of a Home Office-approved sponsor.
  • possession of a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ detailing the UK work.
  • occupation listed in eligible occupations.
  • minimum annual salary of £45,800.

Ref: https://www.gov.uk/senior-specialist-worker-visa

Graduate Trainee visa

The Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee route is for overseas workers on temporary work assignments in the UK, particularly those on graduate training courses leading to senior management or specialist roles in the UK. Dependent partners and children can accompany the worker.

To qualify for a Graduate Trainee visa, you must meet the following criteria:

  • existing employee of a Home Office-approved sponsor.
  • worked for the sponsor outside the UK for at least 3 months.
  • possession of a ‘certificate of sponsorship.’
  • occupation listed in eligible occupations.
  • minimum annual salary of £24,220.

It is important to note that you cannot apply to change (or ‘switch’) to a Graduate Trainee visa from inside the UK.

Ref: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-trainee-visa

Secondment Worker visa

The Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker route suits overseas workers on temporary assignments in the UK, seconded as part of high-value contracts or investments. Dependent partners and children can join them.

To be eligible for a Secondment Worker visa, you must meet the following criteria:

  • employee of an overseas organization with a Home Office-approved high-value contract with the UK sponsor.
  • worked for the overseas employer for at least 12 months outside the UK.
  • possession of a ‘certificate of sponsorship.’
  • occupation listed in eligible occupations.

Ref: https://www.gov.uk/secondment-worker-visa

Service Supplier visa

The Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier route is intended for overseas workers undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK. This category applies to two types of workers:

  • Contractual Service Suppliers: Employees of an overseas service provider who are contracted to provide services to a UK business under a valid international trade agreement.
  • Self-Employed Independent Professionals: Individuals who are self-employed service providers based overseas and need to undertake an assignment in the UK to provide services covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements.

In addition, dependent partners and dependent children of the worker can apply to accompany them to the UK under this route.

To be eligible for a Service Supplier visa, you must meet the following criteria:

  • employee of an overseas business or a self-employed service provider.
  • providing a service to a UK business under a valid international trade agreement.
  • occupation listed in eligible jobs.
  • possession of a ‘certificate of sponsorship.’
  • minimum 12 months’ professional experience for self-employed service providers.

Ref: https://www.gov.uk/service-supplier-visa

UK Expansion Worker visa

The Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route is for overseas workers assigned to the UK for business expansion. This route applies when the business has not yet begun trading in the UK. If the business is already trading in the UK, workers should apply under Appendix Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker instead. Dependent partners and children can join.

To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • possession of a valid certificate of sponsorship.
  • employment outside the UK.
  • occupation listed in eligible jobs.
  • minimum eligible salary required for the job.

Ref: https://www.gov.uk/uk-expansion-worker-visa 

To give your case the best chance of success, get in touch

To give your visa the best chance of success, and to reduce your stress, please contact our immigration experts.

If you wish to speak directly with one of our immigration specialists to get advice about business and personal immigration, or education in the UK and other visa issues, then please contact our Glasgow Head Office on Phone T:+44 (0)141 212 3355 or request a call back by completing the Online Form. You can also email us at enquiries@lattainternational.com. More information can be found from Contact Us.

* Disclaimer: The above information is for general reference only. Specialist legal advice should be sought.

Latest update: August 2023