Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker

The Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker visa is for overseas businesses that need to transfer experienced staff to a linked UK office. It is used when an employee is required in the UK on a temporary basis to undertake work for the UK branch of the same organisation.

This route differs to the UK Expansion worker route in that this is for overseas businesses with an established office in the UK.

The route does not lead to settlement in the UK for the worker, but it allows companies to transfer staff to the UK for medium- or long-term assignments. 

The UK entity must hold a sponsor licence before it can transfer staff, so businesses need to begin the process as early as possible.

Employees of an overseas business that is linked to the UK office or entity can apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa. The employee must be coming to the UK to work in a role that meets the required skill and salary thresholds and must remain employed by the overseas business at the date of application.

The time spent working overseas does not need to be immediately before the application. Historic overseas employment can count towards the requirement.

The requirements to meet:

• Financial requirement. The applicant must show a set amount of funds held for 28 days, unless they have been living in the UK for at least 12 months.
• Sponsorship. The UK entity must hold a valid sponsor licence under the Global Business Mobility route and must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship for the role.
• Eligible job and skill level. Only specific job roles at the required skill level are eligible for this route.
• Employment history requirement. The employee must have worked for the overseas business for at least 12 months, unless they qualify as a high earner. They must still be employed by the overseas business at the date of application.
• Salary requirement. The role must meet the minimum salary threshold or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.

Before transferring an employee to the UK under this route, the UK entity must first obtain a sponsor licence. This is often the first step for businesses planning an internal transfer. We can assist with preparing and securing the sponsor licence so your business can transfer staff to the UK without delay.

Once the sponsor licence is granted and the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned, the employee can apply for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa. If the employee is already in the UK on an eligible route, they may be able to switch into this category.

Processing times vary depending on the Home Office and the complexity of the application. Early preparation is important, especially where the business is applying for a sponsor licence for the first time.

We can assist with both the sponsor licence and the visa application to ensure the process is as smooth as possible.