Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker

Having worked with the Home Office in the past on new sponsored visa routes, we understand how carefully UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) will scrutinise your application for a Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor license or visa. We will use our experience to ensure that your applications have the highest likelihood of success.

What is a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

A Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows overseas workers to undertake temporary work assignments in the UK, where the worker is a senior manager or specialist employee and is being assigned to a UK business linked to their employer overseas by common ownership or control.

Do I qualify for Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

To be eligible to apply for leave under the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route, you must:

• have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your UK employer;
• have been working for your employer, or a member of the corporate group, outside the UK for a cumulative period of at least 12 months before the date of application – unless you are applying as a high earner;
• be sponsored for a job which is on the list of eligible occupations;
• be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job;
• show that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself in the UK (unless maintenance is certified by your sponsor).

What period of leave will I be given? Can I extend my visa?

The maximum length of visa that can be granted is 5 years. However, care has to be taken not to spend more than the maximum cumulative time permitted in the UK under any of the Global Business Mobility routes – in most cases, this is a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period. If you are applying as a high earner (i.e. you will be earning at least £73,900 per annum), this limit increases to 9 years in any 10-year period.

What kind of activities can I undertake in the UK as a Senior or Specialist Worker?

As a Senior or Specialist Worker visa holder, you will only be permitted to do the job for which you are being sponsored.

You may be permitted to study in the UK in addition to your work, subject to certain conditions.

Can I bring my family with me?

The Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows a dependant spouse or partner and dependant children who are under the age of 18 at the time of the initial application to accompany you.

Does the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route lead to settlement in the UK?

The Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route does not lead to settlement in the UK. It may be possible, however, to switch from the Senior or Specialist Worker route into an immigration category which does lead to settlement, such as a Skilled Worker visa.

For more information about us and our corporate immigration services, please contact a member of the team who can answer any questions and guide you through the process.