Global Business Mobility Visa Route

The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa allows senior managers and specialist workers to come to the UK to undertake a temporary work assignment which is linked to their overseas employer. 

To be eligible for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you must:

• Have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer.
• Have worked for your employer outside of the UK for at least 12 months (unless you earn over £73,900).
• Do a job which is on the list of eligible occupations.
• Be paid at least £45,800 or the ‘going rate’ for your job (whichever is higher).
• Have enough money to support yourself when you arrive in the UK (unless exempt).

If you are successful in your application, you will be able to stay in the UK for either the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days or 5 years (whichever is shorter).

The UK Expansion Worker Visa

The UK Expansion Worker Visa allows senior managers and specialist workers to come to the UK to undertake work which is linked to the expansion of a business to the UK.

To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must:

Have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer.

Have worked for your employer outside of the UK for at least 12 months (unless you earn over £73,900 or you are a national or permanent resident of Australia doing work for an Australian company that is expanding to the UK).

• Do a job which is on the list of eligible occupations.
• Be paid at least £45,800 or the ‘going rate’ for your job (whichever is higher).
• Have enough money to support yourself when you arrive in the UK (unless exempt).

If you are successful in your application, you will be able to stay in the UK for either 12 months after the start date of the job on your certificate of sponsorship, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days.

The Service Supplier Visa

The Service Supplier Visa allows self-employed professionals and employees of overseas companies to come to the UK to provide services for a UK company as part of a contract.

To be eligible for a Service Supplier Visa, you must:

• Be an employee of an overseas business, or a self-employed service provider who is based overseas.
• Be providing a service as part of a contract which is covered by a valid international trade agreement.
• Be providing a service to a UK business which has been approved as a sponsor by the Home Office.
• Do a job which is on the list of eligible occupations or have relevant qualifications and experience.
• Have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer.
• Have worked outside of the UK for your employer for at least 12 months, or if you are self-employed you have at least 12 months' professional experience.
• Have enough money to support yourself when you arrive in the UK (unless exempt).

If you are successful in your application, you will be able to stay in the UK for either 6 or 12 months (depending on the trade agreement you are providing services under), or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days.

The Graduate Trainee Visa

The Graduate Trainee Visa allows workers on an eligible graduate training programme to come to the UK to work for their employer in their UK branch.

To be eligible for a Graduate Trainee Visa, you must:

• Have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer.
• Have worked outside the UK for your employer in the 3 months immediately before you apply.
• Do a job which is on the list of eligible occupations.
• Be paid the minimum eligible salary for your job.
• Have enough money to support yourself when you arrive in the UK (unless exempt).

If you are successful in your application, you will be able to stay in the UK for either 12 months, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days.

The Secondment Worker Visa

The Secondment Worker Visa allows workers who are being seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract to undertake temporary work assignments in the country.

To be eligible for the Secondment Worker Visa, you must:

• Be an existing employee of an overseas organisation which has a high-value contract with your UK sponsor.
• Have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your UK sponsor.
• Have worked for your overseas employer for at least 12 months.
• Do a job which is on the list of eligible occupations.
• Have enough money to support yourself when you arrive in the UK (unless exempt).

If you are successful in your application, you will be able to stay in the UK for either 12 months after the start date of the job on your certificate of sponsorship, or the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days.