Global Business Mobility Visas

• This route replaces the former Intra-Company Transfer visa, which closed to new applicants on 11 April 2022. It is designed for senior managers and specialist employees undertaking temporary assignments in the UK.
• To qualify, the worker must be employed by an overseas company that is linked by common ownership or control with the UK sponsor. This relationship must be approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before sponsorship. The individual must have worked for the overseas entity for at least 12 months, unless classified as a ‘high earner’ – earning £73,900 or more annually.
• Applicants must score 60 points. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must confirm the job role, which must be eligible under Appendix Skilled Occupations. The salary must meet the higher of £52,500 or the “going rate” for the role.
• The maximum stay permitted under the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route is 5 years in any 6-year period. For high earners, this extends to 9 years in any 10-year period. There is no English language requirement. This route does not lead to Settlement, though switching to a Settlement eligible visa may be possible if criteria are met.

• This route replaces the former Intra-Company Graduate Trainee visa, which closed to new applicants on 11 April 2022. It is designed for overseas workers transferring to the UK as part of a structured graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role.
• The overseas employer must be linked by common ownership or control to the UK sponsor, and this relationship must be approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), either at the time of licence approval or subsequently.
• Applicants must have been employed by the overseas entity for at least 3 months prior to applying. They must score 60 points, with the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) confirming an eligible role under Appendix Skilled Occupations. The salary must meet the higher of £27,300 or 70% of the “going rate” for the role.
• There is no English language requirement for this route. Successful applicants will be granted a visa valid for up to 12 months.

• This route replaces the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa, which closed to new applicants on 11 April 2022. It is intended for senior managers or specialist employees assigned to the UK on a temporary basis to support the expansion of their overseas business.
• The UK Expansion Worker route can only be used where the UK entity has not yet begun trading. If the UK business is already operational, the appropriate route is the Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
• Applicants must score 60 points. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must confirm the role, which must be eligible under Appendix Skilled Occupations. The salary must meet the higher of £52,500 or the going rate for the role. The applicant must have worked for the overseas business for at least 12 months, unless they are a high earner or qualify under specific nationality or residence exemptions (e.g. permanent residents of Australia or nationals of Japan or Australia working for companies based in those respective countries).
• The UK sponsor must be authorised by the Home Office to sponsor UK Expansion Workers and hold an A-rated Sponsor Licence. Alternatively, the applicant may act as the Authorising Officer and apply for a Sponsor Licence with a ‘provisional’ rating which must be converted to an A-rated Sponsor Licence once the applicant arrives in the UK.
• Successful applicants under this route will be granted a visa valid for 12 months, which can be extended for a further 12 months.
• Unlike the Sole Representative route, the UK Expansion Worker visa does not lead to settlement. However, individuals may be eligible to switch into other immigration categories that do provide a pathway to settlement, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.

• This route replaces the previous provisions for contractual service suppliers and independent professionals under the Temporary Worker – International Agreement visa. It is designed for overseas workers undertaking short-term assignments in the UK, either as contractual service suppliers employed by an overseas service provider, or self-employed independent professionals based overseas, delivering services under one of the UK’s international trade agreements.
• UK sponsors must have the relevant contract with the overseas service provider registered and approved by the Home Office before sponsoring an individual under this route. Applicants must score 40 points, with the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) confirming that the role meets the required skill level. There is no minimum salary or going rate requirement for this category.
• Applicants are not required to meet the English language requirement but must satisfy other eligibility requirements specific to this route. Successful applicants will be granted a visa valid for 6 months or 12 months, depending on the trade agreement services are being provided under.

• This newly introduced route is designed for individuals temporarily seconded to the UK by their overseas employer as part of a high-value contract or investment.
• Applicants must demonstrate they have been employed by the overseas company for a cumulative period of at least 12 months. The contract between the UK sponsor and the overseas business must be registered and approved by the Home Office before sponsorship can proceed.
• Applicants must score 40 points. The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) must confirm that the role meets the required skill level for sponsorship under this category. As with the Service Supplier route, there is no minimum salary or “going rate” requirement.
• There is no English language requirement for this route. Successful applicants will be granted a visa valid for 12 months.

Whether you’re exploring the right GBM sub-category for your business or seeking end-to-end support with applying for a GBM visa or the relevant Sponsor Licence, our Immigration team is here to help. Contact our Immigration team for strategic, responsive guidance tailored to your commercial objectives.