UK Graduate Trainee Visa (Global Business Mobility Route)
Graduate Trainee Visa
The Graduate Trainee Visa forms part of the UK’s Global Business Mobility (GBM) framework, a set of five immigration routes designed to help international companies expand operations or transfer key staff to the UK. This specific visa is aimed at employees who are taking part in a structured graduate training programme, typically designed to develop future leaders, managers, or specialists within the organisation.
This visa is intended for overseas workers who must complete a UK-based work placement as an essential component of their training pathway. The programme must be clearly defined by the employer and lead to a specialist or senior management role within the company. It replaces the former Intra-Company Graduate Trainee Visa, introducing updated rules to ensure tighter compliance and more transparency in international employee transfers.
Holders of this visa can fully participate in their graduate training programme while in the UK but are not permitted to undertake secondary employment. They may, however, engage in voluntary work or study additional courses alongside their main programme, provided these do not interfere with the sponsored role.
For individuals who are not part of a structured graduate training scheme but still need to work at the employer’s UK branch, the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa under the GBM category may offer a more suitable option.
Global Business Mobility (GBM) – UK Visa Routes
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) scheme is a UK immigration framework designed to help multinational companies transfer employees from overseas to their UK operations efficiently. It provides a structured pathway for businesses to bring in senior managers, specialists, trainees, and key personnel, supporting global expansion, skills development, and strategic projects.
The GBM scheme includes five main visa routes, each catering to specific roles and business needs
- Senior or Specialist Worker Visa – For executives, managers, and specialists relocating to the UK branch.
- Graduate Trainee Visa – For graduates enrolled in structured training programmes leading to senior or specialist positions.
- UK Expansion Worker Visa – For overseas businesses establishing a new UK branch and sending staff to help set up operations.
- Secondment Worker Visa – For employees temporarily transferred to the UK to provide specialist skills or expertise to a UK client.
- Service Supplier Visa – For employees of overseas service companies assigned to provide a contractual service to a UK client.
Key Features of GBM:
- Streamlined Internal Transfers: Facilitates smooth relocation of key personnel without the need for long-term recruitment processes.
- Flexibility: Supports temporary or long-term assignments, structured training, and secondments for international business operations.
- Compliance & Oversight: Employers must hold a valid UK sponsor licence and adhere to reporting, record-keeping, and salary requirements.
- Strategic Advantage: Enables UK businesses to access global talent, transfer expertise, and maintain continuity in leadership or specialist roles.
The GBM framework strengthens the UK’s position as a hub for international business by providing multinational companies with clear, structured pathways to bring essential talent to the UK while ensuring regulatory compliance and workforce planning.
UK
Graduate Trainee Visa
Part of Global Business Mobility (GBM)
The Graduate Trainee Visa is one of the five routes under the UK’s Global Business Mobility scheme, designed to help overseas businesses transfer employees or establish a UK presence. It specifically targets employees enrolled in structured graduate training programmes leading to senior management or specialist roles.
Structured UK Work Placement
Applicants must complete a UK-based work placement as part of their training programme. This visa replaces the former Intra-Company Graduate Trainee route and ensures trainees gain practical experience in the UK. While working in the programme, secondary employment is not allowed, but voluntary work or further studies are permitted.
Eligibility Requirements
To quBe employed by a Home Office-approved sponsor.
- Have worked for the overseas branch of the sponsor for at least 3 months .
- Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from the employer.
- Work in a role listed on the eligible occupations list.
- Earn a minimum salary of £24,220 per year (subject to updates under the GBM salary review).alify, applicants must.
Application Conditions
Applicants must apply from outside the UK, as switching to this visa from within the UK is not permitted. This ensures compliance with UK immigration rules and proper entry via the designated route.
Alternative Visa Option
If an employee is not part of a structured graduate training programme, they may still be eligible to work in the UK under the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, which is suited for internal company transfers of senior or specialist staff.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is issued by your employer (sponsor) and is an electronic record, not a physical document. It confirms that your UK employer is sponsoring you for a specific role.
Applicants must:
- Use the CoS reference number when submitting their visa application.
- Apply for their visa within three months of receiving the CoS.
Ensure their employer holds a valid sponsor licence. If the employer does not yet have one, they must obtain it before sponsoring employees under this route.
Application Fees and Processing Times
- The current application fee is £298. However, under proposed changes in the 2025 Immigration White Paper, fees may range from £284 to £1,235, depending on the length of the visa and individual circumstances.
- After submitting the application, providing identity verification, and submitting required documents, applicants typically receive a decision within three weeks.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You cannot extend or switch to this visa while in the UK. Applications must be made from outside the country.
Currently, you must have worked for your overseas employer for at least 3 months. Proposed changes in the 2025 Immigration White Paper suggest increasing this to 12 months, unless your salary is £73,900 or more, in which case the requirement may be waived.
No. The Graduate Trainee Visa does not provide a direct path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). To settle permanently, you would need to switch to another visa category that allows settlement.
