Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa

Tier 2 Intra-company Transfer Route.

This route is for established workers of multinational companies who are being transferred by their overseas company to do a skilled role for a linked entity in the UK.

Types of Intra-company visas. 

Intra-company Transfer visa.

For applicants who are being transferred by their employer to perform a role in the UK.

Applicants will need to have worked for their employer overseas for more than 12 months unless the employer will pay £73,900 a year or more to work in the UK.

Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa.

For employees taking part in a structured graduate training program who are being transferred to perform a role in the UK.

This visa has replaced the Tier 2 Graduate Trainee visa.

Eligibility requirements for an Intra-company transfer (ICT) visa. 

Workers who wish to come to the UK in the Intra-company routes must score 60 points for the following criteria:

• Sponsorship (20 points)

• Job at an appropriate level.  (20 points)

• Salary at a required level. (20 points)

In addition:

The applicant must be paid at least £41,500 for an Intra-company Transfer visa or at least £23,000 for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa. 

The applicant must be an existing employee of an organisation that has been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor. The applicant should also have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from the employer with information about their job

The applicant must do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations 

Importantly, If the applicant is applying from outside the UK, or has been in the UK for less than a year, they must show they have enough funds to support themselves and any dependents in the UK (also called maintenance).

Length of Stay. 

Successful applicants  can stay in the UK with an Intra-company Transfer visa for whichever is shorter of:

• the time granted by their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days

• 5 years

• the length of time that takes them to the maximum total stay allowed

The maximum total stay allowed for an Intra-company Transfer visa is:

• 5 years in any 6 year period if the applicant is paid less than £73,900 a year

• 9 years in any 10 year period if the applicant is paid £73,900 a year or more

Restrictions of Intra-company transfer (ICT) visa:

Holders of Intra-company transfer (ICT) visa can work for their sponsor in the job described in the certificate of sponsorship, study part-time, bring family members, do a second job up to 20 hours a week, and travel abroad. However, they cannot apply for most benefits, change jobs without updating their visa.

Does this route lead to the settlement?

No, this route does not lead to settlement in the UK. Applicants can consider applying for the Skilled Worker route, which leads to settlement after 5 years.

Intra-company transfer (ICT) visa fees:

The application must be made online. The application fees range from £482 to £1,408 depending on the type of visa and where the applicant is applying from. A Healthcare surcharge of £624 per year must be paid. Applicants must also have at least £1,270 available on their bank account to support themselves in the UK (also called maintenance).

How long does it take to apply for Intra-company transfer (ICT) visa:

The decision is made within 3 weeks if you are outside the UK and 8 weeks if you are inside the UK.