Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visa Guide

1. Introduction

The UK’s Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is a specialised immigration route designed for overseas businesses looking to expand, send skilled staff, or deliver services in the UK. Whether you’re a senior manager establishing a UK branch, a graduate trainee on a placement, or a service supplier under an international agreement, this visa category offers tailored pathways for business growth and international mobility.

This comprehensive guide breaks down each GBM visa type, eligibility rules, costs, application process, and how to bring your dependants. We have prepared it in clear language so you can confidently navigate the process.

2. What is the Global Business Mobility Visa?

The Global Business Mobility visa isn't a single visa. Instead, it's an "umbrella" for five distinct sponsored work routes, designed for overseas companies to send their employees to the UK for specific, temporary purposes.

These routes were introduced to streamline and simplify a number of previous work visas, making it easier for international businesses to operate in the UK. All GBM routes require sponsorship from a UK-based organisation, which must hold a valid sponsor licence.

Each route serves a different business purpose:

3. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

Who is it for? 

This is for senior managers or specialist employees who are being transferred from an overseas office to a connected UK branch that is already trading. It replaced the old Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa.

Key Requirements:

● Previous Experience: 

You must have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months (this is waived for high earners on a salary of £73,900 or more).

● Sponsorship: 

You need a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor. Be doing a job on the eligible occupations list.

● Salary: 

Your UK salary must be at least £52,500 per year or the 'going rate' for your specific job, whichever is higher.

Length of Stay: 

Up to 5 years (or 9 years for high earners).

4. UK Expansion Worker Visa

Who is it for? 

This is for senior managers or specialists sent to the UK to establish the company's first commercial presence. This visa is only for businesses that have not yet started trading in the UK.

If your company already trades in the UK, you’ll need the Senior or Specialist Worker visa instead.
 

The overseas business must be active and trading, and must have been for at least 3 years. Japanese and Australian businesses expanding under the UK's trade agreements with those countries can skip the 3-year evidence, but can then only sponsor one worker at a time. The Home Office expects the business to be trading in the UK within two years of its licence being granted. After that it cannot sponsor new Expansion Workers, and existing ones cannot extend on this route.

Key Requirements:

● Previous Experience: 

You must have worked for the overseas business for your employer for at least 12 months (exceptions apply for high earners and certain nationalities like Japanese and Australian nationals under specific agreements).

● Sponsorship: 

Your employer must have a UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence (Temporary Worker licence) and provide a CoS. This job must be in the eligible occupations list.

● Salary: 

Your UK salary must be at least £52,500 per year or the 'going rate' for the job.

Length of Stay: 

Up to 1 year initially, with a possible extension for another year (2 years maximum).

If your aim is to build a lasting UK business, our guide to self-sponsorship and founder routes compares the UK Expansion Worker visa with self-sponsorship and the Innovator Founder visa.

5. Graduate Trainee Visa

Who is it for? 

This route is for individuals on a structured graduate training programme who need to complete a work placement in the UK. It replaced the Intra-Company Graduate Trainee visa.

Key Requirements:

● Previous Experience: 

You must have worked for your employer outside the UK for a continuous period of at least 3 months.

● Sponsorship: 

Your role must be part of a defined graduate training programme, confirmed by a valid CoS. This job must be in the eligible occupations list.

● Salary: 

Your UK salary must be at least £27,300 per year or 70% of the 'going rate' for the job, whichever is higher. Some healthcare and education jobs must be paid the full going rate.

Length of Stay: 

Up to 1 year.

6. Service Supplier Visa

Who is it for? 

This is for overseas workers (either employed or self-employed professionals) who need to provide services to a UK client in line with a UK international trade agreement.

Key Requirements:

● Experience & Contract: 

If you are employed by an overseas business, you must have worked for it outside the UK for at least 12 months. If you are self-employed, you need at least 12 months of professional experience in the same sector immediately before you apply. The work must be part of an eligible contract covered by an international trade agreement.

● Sponsorship: 

Your job should be on the eligible occupations list. If it is not, you may still qualify with a bachelor's degree or equivalent technical qualification plus 3 years' relevant professional experience (6 years if you are self-employed), and some services have their own rules. The UK business receiving the services must be a licensed sponsor and provide a CoS.

● Salary: 

There is no minimum salary requirement beyond meeting the UK's National Minimum Wage.

Length of Stay: 

Between 6 and 12 months, depending on the specific trade agreement.

7. Secondment Worker Visa

Who is it for? 

This is a new route for employees of an overseas company who are being temporarily seconded to the UK to work on a high-value contract or investment project for their employer.

Key Requirements:

● Previous Experience: 

You must have worked outside the UK for your overseas employer for at least 6 months.

● Sponsorship: 

Your UK sponsor must have a registered contract (worth at least £50 million) with your overseas employer and provide a CoS.

● Job Level: 

The job must be at a graduate level or above (RQF 6). This job must be in the eligible occupations list.

Length of Stay: 

Up to 1 year initially, with a possible extension for another year (2 years maximum).

8. What if You Haven't Worked for Your Employer for 12 Months?

A common and critical requirement for several Global Business Mobility routes is that the applicant must have worked for their overseas employer for a minimum period before they can be sponsored. For most, this is a 12-month rule.

This applies to the following routes:

⧁ Senior or Specialist Worker

⧁ UK Expansion Worker

However, what if you are the perfect candidate for the UK role but don't meet this 12-month requirement? Fortunately, the Home Office has created some important exceptions.

You do not need to have worked for your employer for 12 months if you meet one of the following criteria:

◆ You are a high earner: 

If your gross annual salary for the UK role will be £73,900 or more, the 12-month rule is waived. This exception applies to both the Senior or Specialist Worker and the UK Expansion Worker routes.

◆ You are part of a specific international agreement (UK Expansion Worker only): 

The 12-month rule does not apply if you are applying for the UK Expansion Worker visa and you are either:

○ A Japanese national working for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK.

○ An Australian national or permanent resident working for an Australian company that is expanding to the UK.

It's important to remember that the other GBM routes have different rules. The Graduate Trainee visa requires 3 months of work for your employer outside the UK immediately before you apply, and the Secondment Worker visa requires 6 months with your overseas employer. The Service Supplier visa requires 12 months with your employer outside the UK if you are an employee, or 12 months of professional experience in the same sector immediately before you apply if you are self-employed.

9. Bringing Your Partner and Children (Dependants)

All five GBM routes allow you to bring your partner and dependent children (under 18) with you to the UK. They will need to apply for their own visas as your dependants and prove they have sufficient funds to support themselves.

You can bring eligible dependants if:

● Your spouse/partner meets the relationship test.

● Children are under 18 (or over 18 if already dependants in the UK).

● You can show financial support:

○ £285 for partner

○ £315 for first child

○ £200 for each additional child

 

10. The Application Process: Fees and Timelines

Application Fees: 

The fee varies by route. The UK Expansion, Graduate Trainee, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker visas cost £340 per person. 

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa costs £819 (for up to 3 years) or £1,618 (for over 3 years) if you apply from outside the UK, and £943 (for up to 3 years) or £1,865 (for over 3 years) if you apply from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): 

Most applicants must also pay the IHS, which is currently £1,035 per year, to access the NHS.

Application Process

◆ Confirm the correct GBM visa type:

Check eligibility based on role, purpose, and company status.

◆ Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS):

Your UK sponsor applies for and issues the CoS.

◆ Apply Online:

● Applications can be made from inside or outside the UK.

● Prove your identity (via UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a visa application centre).

 

◆ Pay Fees and Provide Evidence

● Visa fee + healthcare surcharge + proof of funds.

● Documents: 

Passport, CoS reference, job details, proof of relationship (if bringing dependants), proof of overseas employment with your employer.

Processing Times:

● Outside the UK: Usually within 3 weeks.

● Inside the UK (for extensions/switches): Usually within 8 weeks.

● Faster priority services are often available for an additional fee.

Settlement/ILR Important Note: 

The Global Business Mobility routes are temporary. They do not lead directly to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK.

11. How Can WorkPermitCloud Help?

At WorkPermitCloud, we help businesses and professionals secure the right GBM visa quickly and smoothly. From advising on the correct route to preparing applications and ensuring compliance, our experts handle the process end-to-end so you can focus on your business goals.

📞 Call us: +44 020 8087 2343
 📧 Email: info@workpermitcloud.co.uk
 📅 Book a free consultation: calendly.com/lutfur-workpermitcloud

12. Conclusion

The Global Business Mobility visa offers a flexible way for overseas companies to send skilled staff to the UK, establish a presence, or deliver contracts. Choosing the right sub-category and meeting all the requirements is crucial for success. With expert guidance, you can avoid delays, secure your visa, and start achieving your UK business objectives.

13. Glossary