Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

About the visa

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) allows senior or specialist employees of international companies to live and work in the UK branch of their overseas employer. It replaces the previous Intra-company Transfer visa. The visa is intended for skilled professionals taking on long-term roles or transfers within the same organisation.

Eligibility & key rules

To qualify, you must:

• Be an existing employee of a Home Office–approved sponsor

• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship with details of your UK role

• Do a job listed under eligible occupation codes

• Earn at least £52,500 per year or the going rate for your role (whichever is higher)

You can stay in the UK for up to 5 years, or the time stated on your sponsorship certificate plus 14 days—whichever is shorter.
The maximum stay is 5 years in 6 if earning under £73,900, or 9 years in 10 if earning more.

What you can / cannot do

You can:

• Work for your sponsor in the job on your certificate of sponsorship

• Study or take voluntary work

• Bring your partner and children as dependants

• Travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

• Access public funds or most benefits

• Change employers without updating your visa

• Take a second job (unless eligible under previous routes)

• Apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) under this route

Fees, documents & process

Fees:

• Up to 3 years: £769 (outside UK) / £885 (inside UK)

• Over 3 years: £1,519 (outside UK) / £1,751 (inside UK)

• Healthcare surcharge: usually £1,035 per year

• Maintenance funds: at least £1,270 unless your sponsor covers it

Documents required:

• Certificate of Sponsorship reference

• Passport or travel document

• Evidence of salary and job details

• Proof of personal savings (if required)

• Relationship documents for dependants

• TB test results (if applicable)

Processing time:

• 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK

• 8 weeks if applying from inside the UK