UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route, enables UK-based organisations to transfer highly skilled employees, senior managers, and specialist workers from their overseas branches to the UK. This visa category is designed to support internal company transfers that are essential for business continuity, strategic leadership, and specialised project execution.
Replacing the former Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa, this route streamlines the process for multinational companies to bring top-tier talent into the UK without disrupting global operations. It is commonly used for executives, department heads, technical experts, project leads, and niche specialists who possess expertise critical to the organisation’s success.
The visa ensures that UK operations can benefit from global knowledge, leadership, and skills, while maintaining compliance with UK immigration rules. It also provides flexibility for companies to meet short-term or medium-term business needs, including management restructuring, technology implementation, cross-border training, and long-term project support.
Key features of the route include sponsorship by a licensed UK employer, a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), role-specific salary thresholds, and adherence to the UK’s occupational skill requirements. While the visa does not generally lead to settlement, it allows eligible employees to work, lead teams, support expansion plans, and provide strategic oversight within the UK branch of their organisation.
Why Choose the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?
The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is ideal for multinational companies that need to transfer senior managers or specialist employees to their UK branch. Unlike the Skilled Worker Visa, it is designed solely for internal company transfers. This route helps businesses place key staff in the UK to lead projects, share expertise, or support operations, ensuring smooth global mobility and continuity. It offers a simple and efficient way for essential personnel to work in the UK and contribute to the organisation’s growth.
Eligibility Criteria
For Employers:
- Must hold a valid UK sponsor licence issued by the Home Office.
- Must offer a role that meets the minimum salary requirement of £48,500 per year or 100% of the going rate for the specific occupation—whichever is higher.
- Must comply with all sponsorship duties, including proper record-keeping, reporting changes, and ensuring the role is genuine.
For Employees:
- Must have worked for the overseas branch of the employer for at least 12 months, unless their salary is £73,900 or more, in which case the transfer can be immediate.
- The job must be listed under an eligible Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code that meets the skill level requirements for this visa.
Requirements
Application Process
Issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
The UK employer must assign a Certificate of Sponsorship, an electronic record that confirms key details about the job, including the job title, responsibilities, salary, and duration of employment.
Document Verification
Applicants must prepare and submit essential documents such as:
- A valid passport or travel document
- Evidence of previous employment with the overseas company
- Relevant qualifications or professional certificates (if applicable)
Application Submission and Fees
Applications are completed online, and the visa fee varies from £284 to £1,235, depending on the visa length and whether the employer qualifies as a small or large sponsor.
Biometric Information & Additional Checks
Applicants may be required to:
- Attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph
- Undergo criminal record checks, particularly for roles in sensitive sectors
Decision Timeline & Duration Limits
Processing times typically range from 3 to 8 weeks depending on location and service type.The visa has maximum stay limits:
- Up to 5 years in any 6-year period for salaries below £73,900
- Up to 9 years in any 10-year period for salaries £73,900 or above
- Employers should initiate the process early to ensure timely transfer of key personnel.
Financial Obligations for Employers
When sponsoring a Senior or Specialist Worker under the Global Business Mobility route, UK employers must meet several financial responsibilities to comply with immigration requirements. These obligations help ensure that businesses contribute fairly to the UK labour market and public services.
1. Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)
Employers are required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge for each sponsored worker. The amount depends on the size and type of organisation:
- Small or charitable sponsors: £364 per year
- Medium or large sponsors: £1,000 per year
This fee is calculated based on the number of years stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). The ISC is intended to encourage investment in local workforce development while allowing companies to bring in essential international talent.
2. Healthcare Surcharge (IHS)
While the Immigration Health Surcharge is normally paid by the applicant, some employers choose to cover this cost as part of their relocation support package. The current charge is:
- £1,035 per year for each year of the visa.
This gives the worker access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during their stay.
3. Additional Processing and Administrative Costs
Employers may also incur other costs, including:- Fees for assigning the Certificate of Sponsorship (currently £239 per CoS).
- Charges for priority or expedited processing, if faster decisions are required.
- Legal or compliance-related expenses for maintaining sponsorship duties and HR record requirements.
Together, these financial commitments ensure that employers remain compliant while facilitating the smooth transfer of skilled staff to their UK operations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is tailored for internal company transfers, allowing multinational organisations to relocate executives and specialist staff to their UK branch. It generally requires higher salaries, stricter eligibility conditions, and is not intended for hiring new external talent—unlike the Skilled Worker Visa, which covers a broad range of professions and supports long-term recruitment needs in the UK labour market.
No. This visa route does not provide a direct pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Individuals who want to settle permanently in the UK must switch to a different visa category that offers settlement options, such as the Skilled Worker Visa or other long-term residence routes.
Yes. Employers may be responsible for several costs apart from the visa application fee, including the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC), Certificate of Sponsorship fees, healthcare surcharge (if they choose to cover it), and ongoing compliance costs associated with holding a sponsor licence.
In addition to paying required fees, employers must maintain strict sponsorship compliance, including monitoring the worker’s role, reporting changes to the Home Office, keeping accurate records, and ensuring that the job meets the required skill and salary thresholds. Failure to meet these duties can result in penalties or loss of the sponsor licence.
