Global Business Mobility Visa
Successfully navigate your global business mobility visa process with expert guidance from West End Consultants
The global business mobility visa allows international businesses to send key staff to the UK for roles that support growth, innovation, or talent exchange. With routes like the senior or specialist worker visa and graduate trainee visa, it offers flexibility for both short-term and long-term assignments.
Global Business Mobility Visa: Facilitating UK Expansion for Overseas Workers
The global business mobility (GBM) visa is a collective category of five sponsored work routes that allows employees from overseas companies to work temporarily in the UK. It builds on and enhances previous UK work visas, enabling international organisations to deploy key workers to the UK for various business purposes. The five visa types under this route are:
- Senior or specialist worker
- Graduate trainee
- UK expansion worker
- Service supplier
- Secondment worker
This visa category is designed to make it easier for businesses to bring in skilled workers to meet their operational needs in the UK, helping them navigate the complexities of cross-border business and expand their market presence.
Whether it's transferring senior leadership, supporting business expansion, or providing temporary expertise, the GBM visa can help businesses make their mark in the UK.
How to Apply for a Global Business Mobility Visa?
The process of applying for a Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is straight forward if you follow these key steps:
Eligibility Criteria for Global Business Mobility UK Visa
To qualify for a Global Business Mobility UK Visa, you must be employed by a company that is looking to expand into the UK. You should be seconded to a UK branch for a specific business-related project, and meet the relevant criteria outlined below.
Employment Status
You must be currently employed by a company based outside the UK and be seconded to a UK branch or office for a specific project. This visa is for workers who will be temporarily assigned to the UK to help facilitate business operations or expansion.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Your employer must be authorised by the UK Home Office to sponsor you. You will need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by your UK-based employer as part of your visa application.
Job Role
The job you will be undertaking in the UK must be listed as an eligible occupation. Generally, this applies to senior managers and specialist employees whose roles are essential to the business expansion or project in the UK.
Salary Threshold
You must meet the minimum salary requirements for your job role. The specific salary threshold depends on the type of visa you are applying for, but for many roles, this means your salary must meet or exceed the required level, as set out by UK immigration rules.
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Which Global Business Mobility Visas Can Be Extended?
1. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?
- Extension Period: Up to 5 years in any 6-year period if your salary is under £73,900 per year.
- If your salary is £73,900 or more, you can extend it for up to 9 years in any 10-year period.
2. UK Expansion Worker Visa
- Extension Period: Up to a maximum of 2 years, provided you continue to meet the visa conditions.
3. Secondment Worker Visa
- Extension Period: This visa can be extended for 12 months.
4. Service Supplier Visa
- Extension Period: This depends on the trade agreement, but it can be extended for either 6 months or 12 months.
The global business mobility visa scheme offers five distinct routes for overseas workers to undertake temporary job assignments in the UK. Each visa category caters to specific business needs, allowing employers to bring skilled workers to the UK for a variety of professional purposes.
Here are the five visa options under the global business mobility scheme:
1. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
This route is for highly skilled employees, such as senior executives or specialists, who are being transferred from an overseas branch to the UK. It is designed for those whose expertise is essential to the UK operations.
Key Requirements:
- Age: You must be 18 or over.
- Employment History: You must have worked for a linked business outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you earn £73,900/year or more.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Must have a valid CoS from a UK sponsor for the job you’ll do.
- Job Role: The job must be at the appropriate skill level (RQF Level 6 or above) and meet the occupation code.
- Salary: The salary must be £48,500/year or more (or the "going rate" for your job, whichever is higher).
- Immigration Skills Charge: Your UK sponsor must have paid this charge.
- Financial Support: You need £1,270 in personal savings (unless covered by your sponsor).
- Tuberculosis (TB) Test: Required if you're from a listed country.
- Dependants: If bringing family, provide proof of your relationship (marriage/birth certificates).
- Sponsor Requirements: Your UK sponsor must be trustworthy and have a sponsor license.
2. Graduate Trainee Visa
This visa is aimed at recent graduates who are on structured training programmes within their overseas company. They are brought to the UK to gain experience at a UK branch.
Key Requirements:
- Age: You must be 18 years or older at the time of application.
- Employment History: You must have worked for a linked business outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before applying.
- The business must be linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership, control, or joint venture.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your UK sponsor for the job you are applying for.
- The job must be part of a structured training programme.
- Job Role: The job must be on the list of eligible occupations and meet the appropriate skill level.
- Salary: You must be paid at least £25,410 per year or 70% of the going rate for your job’s occupation code (whichever is higher).
- Financial Support: You must have enough money to support yourself in the UK without relying on public funds.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Test: If you are from a listed country, you must provide a valid TB test certificate.
- Relationship with Dependants: If your partner or children are applying with you, you must provide proof of your relationship with them (e.g., marriage or birth certificates).
3. UK Expansion Worker Visa
This visa is for employees who are assigned to help set up a new UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas company. The employee's role is crucial to establishing the UK presence and expanding the business operations.
Key Requirements:
- Age: You must be 18 years or older at the time of application.
- Employment History: You must have worked for a linked business outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you:
- Employment History: You must have worked for a linked business outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you:
- Are a Japanese national setting up a UK branch under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or
- Are an Australian national or permanent resident establishing a UK branch under the Free Trade Agreement between the UK and Australia.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your UK sponsor for the job you will do.
- The job must be part of the UK expansion of your employer.
- Job Role: The job must be genuine and on the list of eligible occupations.
- It must also meet the appropriate skill level (RQF Level 6 or above).
- Salary: You must be paid at least £48,500 per year or the going rate for your occupation code (whichever is higher).
- Financial Support: You must have sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK without relying on public funds.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Test: If you're from a listed country, you must provide a valid TB test certificate.
- Genuineness of Employment: You must demonstrate that you will only undertake the job specified in your application and not engage in other employment while in the UK.
- Proof of Identity: You must provide a valid passport or another identity document showing your nationality.
4. Service Supplier Visa
This route is for workers who are delivering specific services to a UK client under a contractual agreement. It allows service providers to work temporarily in the UK under trade agreements between countries.
Key Requirements:
- Age: You must be 18 or over.
- Employment: You must be working for an overseas service provider or be self-employed, and have 12 months’ experience with them outside the UK.
- Contract: Your UK sponsor must have a contract with the overseas provider, registered with the Home Office.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): You need a valid CoS from your UK sponsor.
- Job Role: The job must be genuine and at the right skill level (or you have a degree and 3-6 years of experience).
- Nationality: You must meet nationality requirements under an international trade agreement.
- Funds: You must have enough money to support yourself (typically £1,270 in savings).
- TB Test: Required if you're from a listed country.
- Sponsor: Your UK sponsor must be approved by the Home Office.
5. Secondment Worker Visa
This visa is for employees who are temporarily assigned to work at a UK branch or client for a specific project, often under a secondment arrangement between the overseas company and the UK entity.
Key Requirements:
- Age: You must be 18 years or older.
- Employment: You must be currently working for an overseas business that has a contract with your UK sponsor, worth at least £50 million and registered with the Home Office (unless you're applying for an extension to work with the same sponsor).
- Work History: You must have worked for your overseas employer for a cumulative 12 months outside the UK (unless applying for an extension).
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): You must have a valid CoS issued by your UK sponsor for the job you intend to do.
- Job Role: The job must be genuine and listed on the Home Office’s list of eligible occupations.
- Skill Level: The role must meet the appropriate skill level.
- Financial Support: You must have sufficient funds to support yourself without relying on public funds.
- Tuberculosis (TB) Test: You must provide a valid TB certificate, if required, depending on your country of residence.
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How West End Consultants Can Help?
A UK based, West End Consultants is an OISC regulated immigration consultancy firm with more than 15 years of experience in supporting businesses and individuals through UK visa processes. Our experts help you with comprehensive guidance to obtain your global business mobility visa UK and ensure you successfully apply for it.
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