Immigration

The Global Business Mobility visas are a combined category of five sponsored work routes for overseas businesses looking to establish, develop, or support UK-based operations.

The Global Business Mobility visas replace, iterate, and expand on previous UK business visas, allowing non-UK organisations to deploy certain personnel to the UK on a temporary basis. The main purpose of the scheme is to make it easier for organisations outside the UK to do business here.

• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
• Graduate Trainee Visa
• UK Expansion Worker Visa
• Service Supplier Visa
• Secondment Worker Visa

This route replaces the previous Intra-Company Transfer route closed on 11 April 2022. It is aimed at senior managers and specialist employees undertaking a temporary work assignment in the UK.

• Overseas company must be linked by ownership/control to the UK sponsor licence holder (approved by UKVI)
• Normally requires at least 12 months overseas employment unless a high earner (£73,900+)
• Must score 60 points and hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for an eligible role
• Salary must be at least £45,800 or the occupation going rate (whichever is higher)
• No English language requirement
• Maximum stay: 5 years in any 6-year period
• Does not lead to settlement (but switching may be possible if eligible)

For workers transferred to the UK as part of a structured graduate training programme leading to a managerial or specialist role within the organisation.

• Overseas and UK businesses must be linked (approved by UKVI)
• Must have worked for the sponsor outside the UK for at least 3 months before application
• Must have a Certificate of Sponsorship for an eligible occupation
• Minimum salary: £24,220 per year
• No English language requirement
• Visa length: 12 months

A UK Expansion Worker visa allows an individual to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet.

• Applicant must already work for the overseas business as a senior manager or specialist employee
• Requires a valid Certificate of Sponsorship
• Normally requires 12 months overseas employment unless exceptions apply (e.g., high earner £73,900+)
• Minimum salary: £45,800 or the going rate (whichever is higher)
• Initial stay: up to 12 months
• Maximum stay: 2 years

Allows employees of overseas companies or self-employed professionals to come to the UK and carry out services covered by a UK international trade agreement.

• Requires a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK registered sponsor authorised by the Home Office
• Must be an overseas employee or a self-employed professional based overseas
• Must provide services under a contract covered by an international trade agreement
• Must have 12 months overseas work for employer (or 12 months experience if self-employed)
• Must work in an eligible job/occupation code and meet qualification/experience requirements
• Stay allowed: 6 or 12 months, or CoS period + 14 days (whichever is shorter)

The UK Secondment Worker Visa allows overseas businesses to transfer staff to work in a different company in the UK to fulfil a high-value contract.

• High-value contract must be approved by the Home Office
• Must have worked for overseas employer for at least 12 months outside the UK
• Requires a Certificate of Sponsorship and an eligible occupation
• Stay allowed: 12 months from job start date or CoS period + 14 days (whichever is shorter)
• Extension possible by 12 months; maximum time on this route is 2 years

UK Skilled Worker Sponsorship Licence enables you to bring and employ workers with the necessary skills to work in the UK for licensed UK employers. Licensed UK businesses can issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to eligible non-UK nationals, whether located within the UK or outside the UK, enabling them to apply for a work visa (e.g. Skilled Worker Visa).

From April 2024, the requirement to renew the sponsor licence every four years has been removed. Licences with an expiry date on or after 6 April 2024 are automatically extended for an additional 10 years.

• Be genuine, operating, and trading lawfully in the UK
• Be UK based
• Not represent a threat to immigration control
• Have key personnel who are “honest and dependable”
• Have an adequate HR system in place to carry out sponsor obligations efficiently

Businesses applying for a sponsor licence must be genuine and legally operating in the UK as a PLC, Ltd, LLP or Sole Trader. A start up business may apply.

Businesses trading for less than 18 months must provide evidence of a current corporate bank account with an FCA and PRA-registered UK bank.

• Have suitable HR systems in place to meet sponsor duties
• Be ready for UKVI compliance visits (announced or unannounced)
• Have no unspent criminal convictions for previous immigration offences or tax evasion
• Have no evidence of non-compliance with previous sponsorship licences

Businesses must show a genuine need to hire overseas workers. They must intend to sponsor workers for eligible roles and meet the skill and salary requirements for each job type.

• Authorising officer: senior competent person responsible for actions of staff and SMS
• Key contact: main contact with UKVI
• Level 1 and Level 2 users: day-to-day management of the licence

Required documents are explained in Appendix A. In most cases, you will be asked to submit a minimum of 4 documents. Depending on your business and the type of licence, UKVI may request additional evidence.

Small or charitable sponsor fee: £536.00

Medium or large sponsor fee: £1,476.00

The UK Global Talent visa is an unsponsored work route for professionals working in certain specialist fields. It does not require sponsorship by a licensed employer.

You can apply if you are a leader or potential leader in:

• Academia or research
• Arts and culture
• Digital technology

The Global Talent visa can lead to settlement. In some cases, applicants may qualify after 3 years, depending on their endorsement/prize route and eligibility.

• Aged 18 or over
• Endorsement from an approved endorsing body OR an eligible prestigious prize
• Meet general suitability requirements

• No English language requirement
• No maintenance funds requirement

You can bring dependants, subject to requirements.

If you have already set up a company or are planning to set up a company, it may be possible to sponsor yourself in the UK. Self-sponsorship typically involves a three-stage process.

• Stage 1: Sponsor Licence
• Stage 2: Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Stage 3: Skilled Worker Visa Application

• Employer’s liability insurance covering at least £5 million (FCA authorised insurer)
• Proof of registration with HMRC
• VAT registration certificate (if applicable)
• Most recent annual accounts (if available)
• Proof of ownership or lease of premises
• Business bank statement (FCA/PRA regulated bank)

• Valid CoS
• Role meets skill/salary rules
• English at least B1 CEFR
• Maintenance where required

A Graduate visa permits eligible students to stay in the UK after successfully completing their course. You must be in the UK at the time of application.

• Usually 2 years after bachelor’s or master’s
• Usually 3 years after a PhD/doctoral qualification

The Innovator Founder visa is for entrepreneurs and experienced businesspeople wishing to establish a business in the UK. The business must be innovative, viable, and scalable and supported by an endorsing body.

Visas are typically granted for 3 years and may lead to settlement if eligible.

• New: you cannot join a business that is already trading
• Innovative: an original idea different from the market
• Viable: realistic potential for growth
• Scalable: job creation and growth plans

You must prove English at B2 CEFR.

You can usually bring a partner and children under 18, subject to requirements.

We assist with applications for further leave to remain (visa extensions) across a range of UK immigration categories. Extension applications are time-sensitive and should be prepared carefully to reduce refusal risks.

• Skilled Worker Visa
• Family and Spouse Visas
• Global Business Mobility Visas
• Innovator Founder Visas
• Global Talent Visas
• ECAA Turkish Businessperson Visas

The Standard Visitor Visa allows you to visit the UK (usually up to 6 months) for tourism, visiting family/friends, business visits, study (limited), or other permitted activities.

• Tourism and holidays
• Visiting family and friends
• Business visits (meetings/interviews)
• Short courses (up to 30 days)
• Permitted paid engagements (limited)
• Medical treatment (where allowed)

Visitor visa applications from overseas are often decided in around 3 weeks (subject to Home Office standards).

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) allows you to live and work in the UK without immigration restrictions. It is often the first step towards British citizenship (naturalisation).

• Lawful residence for the required period
• Absences usually within limits (e.g., 180 days in a 12-month period)
• Life in the UK test
• English requirement (often B1 CEFR), where applicable
• Meet suitability / good character where relevant

The UK Spouse Visa is for eligible partners of British/Irish citizens, people settled in the UK, certain visa holders, or those with refugee/humanitarian protection, who wish to join or remain with their partner in the UK.

This route can lead to settlement (ILR) after 5 years, subject to eligibility.

• Genuine and subsisting relationship
• Intention to live together in the UK
• Financial requirement (unless exempt / adequate maintenance applies)
• Adequate accommodation
• English language requirement (unless exempt)

You normally need English at CEFR A1 (entry/switch) and A2 for extension, unless exempt. You may meet the requirement by passing an approved test, holding a recognised degree taught in English (Ecctis where required), or being a national of a majority English-speaking country.