Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
If you are employed by a company overseas and are being transferred to a UK branch for an eligible role, you may qualify for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa.
This visa forms part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route and allows international organisations to move senior employees or specialist staff into the United Kingdom. It replaces the former Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa.
For professional guidance with your Senior or Specialist Worker Visa application, call our solicitors on +44 208 016 2308.
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If you are employed by a company overseas and are being transferred to a UK branch for an eligible role, you may qualify for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa.
This visa forms part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route and allows international organisations to move senior employees or specialist staff into the United Kingdom. It replaces the former Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa.
For professional guidance with your Senior or Specialist Worker Visa application, call our solicitors on +44 208 016 2308.
What is the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is for established employees of overseas companies being temporarily assigned to a UK branch or subsidiary in a senior or specialist role.
This route is ideal for multinational companies that require internal staff transfers but does not automatically lead to settlement. However, time spent in the UK on this route can count toward the ten-year lawful residence category for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Applicants joining the UK under a graduate training programme should instead apply for the Graduate Trainee Visa, also under the Global Business Mobility framework.
To qualify for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you must
- Already work for an organisation approved by the Home Office to sponsor workers
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by your employer for your UK role
- Perform a job listed among eligible occupations under GBM rules
- Earn a salary that meets or exceeds both of the following
– The general threshold of £52,500 per year
– The specific going rate for the role, whichever is higher - Be paid at least £22.60 per hour
- Have worked for your overseas employer for at least 12 months, unless you are a High Earner (earning £73,900 or more)
- Meet the English language requirement at CEFR Level B2 for all applications submitted on or after 8 January 2026
- Provide proof of maintenance funds unless the sponsor certifies this on the CoS
All applicants must meet both the annual and hourly thresholds.
Category | Minimum Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Additional Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard Applicant | £52,500 | £22.60 | Must also meet 100% of the occupation’s going rate |
High Earner | £73,900 or more | £22.60 | Exempt from 12-month overseas employment rule and eligible for 9-year stay |
Failure to meet either the annual or hourly test results in an automatic refusal.
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Applicants must show personal savings of at least £1,270, held for 28 consecutive days within 31 days before applying, unless their sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS.
Dependants must also meet financial requirements:
- Partner £285
- First child £315
- Each additional child £200
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- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Valid passport or travel document
- Job title, salary, and occupation code
- Sponsor’s licence number (as listed on the CoS)
- Evidence of overseas employment for at least 12 months if earning below £73,900
- Proof of funds unless maintenance is certified
- TB test certificate (if applicable)
- Relationship evidence for dependants
- Certified translations for all documents not in English or Welsh
Examples of evidence of overseas employment:
- Payslips covering the 12-month period
- Employer letter confirming continuous employment abroad
- Bank statements showing salary deposits
Duration | Fee Outside UK | Fee Inside UK |
|---|---|---|
Up to 3 Years | £769 | £885 |
Over 3 Years | £1,519 | £1,636 |
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year
Certificate of Sponsorship Fee: £525
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC): £1,320 per year for large sponsors, £510 per year for small or charitable sponsors
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1 – Complete the online form on GOV.UK
2 – Upload all supporting documents and pay the required fees
3 – Verify your identity using the UK Immigration ID Check app or attend a visa application centre
4 – Wait for a decision, usually within 3 weeks if applying from abroad or 8 weeks from within the UK
Applicants can pay for priority or super-priority processing where available.
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Partners and children can accompany or join you in the UK if they meet eligibility and financial requirements.
Eligible dependants include;
- Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (with evidence of at least two years of cohabitation)
- Children under 18, including those born in the UK during your stay
- Adult dependants who already hold dependant status in the UK
Dependants’ visas will end on the same date as the main applicant’s visa.
Dependants cannot apply from the UK if they currently hold a visitor, short-term student, seasonal worker, or domestic worker visa, or are on immigration bail.
You may extend your visa or switch into this route from within the UK if you continue working for the same employer in an eligible role and remain within the maximum time permitted.
The maximum stay under the Global Business Mobility framework is
- 5 years in any 6-year period if earning below £73,900
- 9 years in any 10-year period if earning £73,900 or more
Applications must be submitted before the current visa expires, and you must remain in the UK during processing.
Settlement
This route does not lead directly to settlement.
However, time spent under the GBM category can contribute to the 10-year long residence ILR route.
To qualify for faster settlement, holders should consider switching to another visa category, such as the Skilled Worker Visa or Innovator Founder Visa, before reaching the maximum stay.
Digital Status and eVisa Compliance
All Senior or Specialist Worker visas issued after October 2025 are digital eVisas.
Our firm assists with
- Setting up your UKVI digital account
- Generating share codes for right-to-work checks
- Coordinating directly with UK HR departments for compliance audits
Common Reasons for Refusal
- Salary below £52,500 or hourly rate below £22.60
- Less than 12 months overseas employment (unless earning £73,900 or more)
- Missing Certificate of Sponsorship or incorrect occupation code
- Insufficient maintenance funds
- English below B2 (for post–January 2026 applications)
- Sponsor licence expired or non-compliant
Transparent Investment
Item | Amount | Description |
|---|---|---|
Visa Fee up to 3 Years | £769 | Overseas application |
Visa Fee over 3 Years | £1,519 | Long assignment application |
IHS Fee | £1,035 per year | Health surcharge |
CoS Fee | £525 | Paid by sponsor |
Professional Legal Fee | Fixed quote | End-to-end application handling |
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we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
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- Regulated solicitors specialising in Global
- Business Mobility and corporate transfers
- Expert salary and SOC code audits for compliance assurance
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- Sponsor licence and ISC compliance reviews
- Transparent fixed fees and direct solicitor representation
Call +44 208 016 2308 or use our live chat for immediate support.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum salary for this visa
The minimum salary is £52,500 per year and £22.60 per hour, or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher.
Who is classed as a high earner
Anyone earning £73,900 or more per year. High earners are exempt from the 12-month overseas employment rule and can stay up to nine years in any ten-year period.
Does this visa require English proficiency
Yes. From 8 January 2026, applicants must demonstrate English ability at CEFR Level B2.
Can my family come with me
Yes, dependants are allowed, provided they meet the financial and relationship requirements.
Does this visa lead to settlement
Not directly. However, time spent under this route counts toward the ten-year lawful residence ILR route.
