Global Business Mobility Visas

The British Global Business Mobility visa framework encompasses a variety of visa categories, each tailored to accommodate the requirements of global companies in transferring overseas workers to the UK. One of the key benefits of this system is its streamlined approach to the visa application procedure. The different visa categories provide clear criteria and guidance, allowing businesses to easily identify the most appropriate visa type for their specific needs. This helps to reduce the administrative burden and minimize the risk of delays or refusals.

What is the Global Business Mobility visa?

This migration route is for companies who want to move their employees to the UK as part of an intra-company relocation, business expansion or contract fulfillment. The GBM visa allows businesses to send their employees to other countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without the need to obtain a work permit or visa in that country. Holders of this visa are permitted to engage in various tasks such as participating in meetings, signing agreements, and conducting negotiations.

The following visa types are available under GBM route:

Senior and Specialist Worker. This visa category is intended for individuals with a high level of qualifications, knowledge and experience in a particular field that is in demand in the UK.
Graduate Trainee. This visa is intended for recent graduates who have completed higher education at an institution that is recognized in the UK. It allows graduates to gain practical work experience and training in relevant fields.
UK Expansion Worker. This visa is designed for employees of overseas companies who are being transferred to a branch or subsidiary in the UK.
Service Supplier. This visa is specifically for employees of overseas companies who are to provide services to a UK client company on a contractual or temporary basis.
Secondment Worker. This visa is for employees of multinational companies who are temporarily posted to work at a branch or subsidiary in the UK. The employee remains employed by the employer in their home country but works in the UK for a limited period of time.

What is the Senior or Specialist Worker route?

The Senior and Specialist Worker visa route, formerly known as Intra-company Transfer, allows companies to transfer their highly skilled workers to the UK to work in certain roles that require specialized knowledge and management skills.

Main requirements:

Employment contract with the sponsoring company. The applicant must have a valid job offer from a company that is licensed to sponsor in the UK. This means that the company must be approved by the UK authorities to accept foreign workers.
Qualifications and work experience. The applicant must be either a highly skilled professional with unique skills that are difficult to find in the UK labor market or a senior executive.
Salary. The minimum wage for this category is usually higher than for other migration categories, which emphasizes the high level of qualification and specialization of the worker. The minimum wage depends on the specific position and sector.

The Senior and Specialist Worker visa can be granted for up to 5 years, after which the worker must either leave the UK or apply for a visa extension. This visa does not always provide a direct route to permanent residence. Nevertheless, there are certain conditions under which it is possible to qualify for a permanent residence permit after a certain period of time.

What is the Graduate Trainee route?

The Graduate Trainee route is one of the ways to get a visa to the UK under the Skilled Worker visa. This route works as part of the Skilled Worker visa scheme. It allows multinational corporations to send their employees who are at the training stage for an apprenticeship to a local unit of the company.

Basic Requirements:

Tertiary education. To obtain a visa under this category, the candidate must have a tertiary education corresponding to the level of education in the UK.
Internship offer from a company. The candidate must receive an internship offer from their company that has a sponsorship licence in the UK.
Sponsorship License. The company must have a valid sponsorship licence in the UK.

This visa route is particularly valuable for international companies looking to develop their workforce and strengthen their global presence by sharing knowledge and expertise between different parts of the company.

What is the UK Expansion Worker route?

This itinerary is designed for employees of international companies who plan to establish their company’s presence in the UK. The UK Expansion Worker visa allows key employees of international companies to move to the UK to participate in the business expansion process of their company, which previously had no commercial presence in the UK.

Key requirements for employees:

Work Experience. Candidates must have worked in their company for a minimum of 12 months before applying.
Position Level. The candidate should hold a key position in the company, which is related to planning and realization of international expansion.
English Language Proficiency. Candidates must demonstrate a good command of the English language.

Company requirements:

No commercial presence. The company must be planning an initial commercial expansion into the UK and have no existing outlets or other representation.
Business Plan. The company must provide a detailed business plan showing how it plans to establish its operations in the UK.
The company must first obtain a sponsor licence. This is a prerequisite for sponsoring employees under this category. The employee can then apply for a visa by submitting the necessary documents, including proof of his/her status with the company and work experience.

The visa is usually issued for 1 year with the possibility of extension. After a certain period of stay on this visa and if all the requirements are met, it is possible to switch to a visa allowing long-term stay and permanent residency.

What is the Service Supplier route?

This type of visa is for foreign nationals who come to the UK to provide services under a contract between a foreign company and a UK organization. The employee must belong to a company that is based outside the UK.

Key requirements:

Qualification Requirements. Candidates must demonstrate professional qualifications that meet the requirements to provide specialized services.
Evidence of need for attendance. The candidate must provide justification as to why exactly their presence is necessary to fulfill the contract. This may include unique skills and experience that are critical to the delivery of the service.
Proof of contract. Evidence of a valid contract between the foreign and UK company must be provided.
Evidence of qualifications and experience. Submission of documents proving professional skills and qualifications.

The Service Supplier visa may be issued for the period necessary to fulfill contractual obligations, but is usually a short-term visa. The visa does not grant permanent residence and often includes restrictions on employment outside the contract under which the visa is issued.

What is the Secondment Worker route?

This visa is required to transfer an employee to the UK to carry out specific tasks, such as transferring technology or helping to improve international cooperation.

Key requirements:

Employees must hold a specific position in a foreign company and have at least 12 months’ experience in that company before relocating. Having a home position that they will continue to hold after their return is also mandatory.
Proof of the need for the transfer. The sponsoring company must demonstrate the need for the transfer by justifying why the tasks cannot be completed without the employee’s physical presence in the UK.

The Secondment Worker visa is issued for the period of time necessary for the performance of tasks, usually a short or medium term period. The visa does not grant permanent residence and restricts the ability to work outside the project for which the visa is issued.

This visa is ideal for employees who are transferred to carry out specific, strategically important tasks that require them to be physically present in the UK on a temporary basis.

Can I bring dependants to the UK on a Global Business Mobility visa?

Yes, these visas provide this opportunity. A number of conditions must be met in order to do so.

Basic requirements for dependents:

Proof of relationship. Dependants must provide evidence of their family ties to the main applicant, such as a marriage or birth certificate.
Financial requirements. It must be proven that the main applicant has sufficient funds to support them while in the UK. This may include evidence of sufficient income and savings.
Application and visa fees. Dependents must submit separate applications and pay the appropriate visa fees.
Health and Social Compliance. All applicants must undergo a medical examination and provide information about their criminal record, if any.
Visa validity period. The validity period of a dependant visa is usually the same as the validity period of the main applicant’s visa.
Work and study. Depending on the visa category, some dependants may be eligible to work or study in the UK.

This visa offers flexibility for companies and their employees, allowing families to stay together while travelling to the UK. However, it is important to carefully consider all requirements and prepare the relevant documents to ensure successful visa applications for all family members.

How can we help?

Your choice of legal aid can make a big difference to the success of your visa application. By contacting Sterling Law, you get access to a professional team of lawyers specializing in UK immigration law. We ensure that each client receives a personalized approach, prompt resolution of complex issues and professional support at every stage of the process. Trust us to take care of your immigration process so that you can focus on what really matters to you and your business.