UK Global Business Mobility

What Global Business Mobility is

Global Business Mobility replaced the old Intra-company routes. It is designed for businesses with an international presence rather than for the open UK labour market, so it works differently from the Skilled Worker route.

There is no visa literally called 'Global Business Mobility'. Applicants apply for one of five named sub-routes. Every route is employer-sponsored, temporary, and does not lead to indefinite leave to remain. If an applicant needs a route that can lead to settlement, this is not it.

Senior or Specialist Worker visa

For an existing employee of an overseas business transferring to do an eligible job at the employer's UK branch. This is the main GBM route and the successor to the Intra-company Transfer visa.

• Applicants must have a certificate of sponsorship from an approved sponsor and do a job on the eligible occupations list.
• Applicants must be paid at least £52,500 a year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher.
• Applicants earning less than £73,900 must have worked for the employer outside the UK for at least 12 months; those earning £73,900 or more have no minimum prior-employment period.
• Each grant lasts up to 5 years (or the sponsorship period plus 14 days, whichever is shorter). Maximum stay is 5 years in any 6-year period if paid under £73,900, or 9 years in any 10-year period if paid £73,900 or more.
• The visa can be extended and does not lead to settlement.

UK Expansion Worker visa

For a senior manager or specialist employee coming to set up a UK branch of an overseas business that has not yet started trading in the UK. If the business is already trading in the UK, the Senior or Specialist Worker visa applies instead.

• The overseas business must have been active and trading overseas for at least 3 years before the application.
• Applicants must generally have worked for the employer outside the UK for at least 12 months (some nationals and permanent residents of Australia are exempt for Australian businesses).
• Applicants must be paid at least £52,500 a year or the going rate, whichever is higher.
• A grant lasts up to 12 months (or the sponsorship period plus 14 days, whichever is shorter); the maximum stay on this route is 2 years.
• Does not lead to settlement.

Graduate Trainee visa

For an existing employee on a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role, transferring to the UK branch.

• Applicants must have worked for the sponsor outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before applying.
• Applicants must be paid at least £27,300 a year (or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher — check the current occupation rate).
• A grant lasts up to 12 months (or the sponsorship period plus 14 days, whichever is shorter). The visa cannot be extended, but a person may reapply from outside the UK, subject to a limit of 5 years in any 6-year period across GBM routes.
• Does not lead to settlement.

Service Supplier visa

For an overseas employee, or a self-employed professional based overseas, providing services in the UK under a contract covered by an international trade agreement.

• Applicants must usually have worked for the overseas employer for at least 12 months (or hold equivalent professional experience if self-employed), have a certificate of sponsorship, and do an eligible job covered by a relevant trade agreement.
• Length of stay is limited to 6 or 12 months depending on the trade agreement (or the sponsorship period plus 14 days, whichever is shorter), with a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period across GBM routes.
• Does not lead to settlement.

Secondment Worker visa

For an existing employee of an overseas organisation being seconded to the UK because that organisation has a high-value contract with a UK sponsor.

• Applicants must have worked for the overseas employer for at least 12 months, do an eligible job, and have a certificate of sponsorship; the contract must be registered with the Home Office.
• A grant lasts up to 12 months (or the sponsorship period plus 14 days, whichever is shorter). The visa can be extended, up to a maximum of 2 years on this route.
• Does not lead to settlement.

Costs

Fees below are confirmed for the Senior or Specialist Worker route; other GBM routes have their own fee levels, so applicants should check the specific route's 'how much it costs' page.

• Application fee (applying from outside the UK): £819 per person for up to 3 years, or £1,618 per person for more than 3 years.
• Application fee (applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update): £943 per person for up to 3 years, or £1,865 per person for more than 3 years.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: usually £1,035 per year, paid for each person for the length of the visa.
• Maintenance: applicants generally need at least £1,270 held in their account for 28 consecutive days, unless their sponsor certifies maintenance or they are otherwise exempt.

How to apply, documents and processing

Applications are made online on gov.uk. Applicants must apply within 3 months of receiving their certificate of sponsorship. After applying, applicants prove their identity and provide documents.

• Documents typically include the certificate of sponsorship reference number, a valid passport, proof of maintenance funds (unless exempt), and evidence of the required prior employment.
• A decision is usually made within 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK. Processing times when applying inside the UK differ.
• Partners and children can apply as dependants on all five routes if they are eligible.

Settlement and alternatives

None of the Global Business Mobility routes lead to indefinite leave to remain, and time spent on them does not count towards settlement. They are for temporary business mobility only.

A worker who wants a route that can lead to settlement should consider whether the Skilled Worker route fits their circumstances instead, as GBM time cannot later be converted into settlement eligibility.