Global Business Mobility Visa Rules

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa rules form part of the UK's points‑based immigration system and govern how overseas workers can come to the United Kingdom on temporary work assignments with linked UK businesses. These rules apply to employees of overseas companies who are posted to the UK for management duties, specialised roles, training, establishing new operations, providing services under international contracts, or fulfilling high‑value secondments. Unlike some work visas, the GBM routes do not lead directly to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain), reflect the temporary nature of assignments, and require both sponsorship and compliance with specific eligibility criteria set out in Home Office guidance.

This article explains the GBM routes, their legal framework, eligibility conditions, rights and restrictions, application processes, practical considerations, and common questions applicants and employers may encounter.

Legal Framework: Immigration Rules and UKVI Guidance

Global Business Mobility visa categories are defined in the Immigration Rules, Appendix Global Business Mobility routes. The rules set out detailed validity, eligibility, suitability and points requirements that applicants must satisfy to be granted entry clearance or permission to stay under a GBM route. These requirements are further explained in the Global Business Mobility routes caseworker guidance, which UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) uses to assess each application.

Key Legal Requirements

• Sponsorship from a UK employer or approved sponsor.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued within 3 months before application.
• Age: applicants must be at least 18 years old.
• Valid passport and biometrics provided as required.
• Applicants must score the required points specific to the route (e.g. sponsorship, job level and salary where applicable).
• Applicants must meet any non‑points conditions such as tuberculosis certificates (where applicable), sufficient funds, and maximum assignment length caps.

Each route within GBM has its own variations on these general requirements.

Overview of Global Business Mobility Routes

There are five principal GBM routes designed for different types of business mobility and temporary assignments:

1. Senior or Specialist Worker
2. Graduate Trainee
3. UK Expansion Worker
4. Service Supplier
5. Secondment Worker

Each category is not a route to settlement and is intended for workers who continue to have significant ties to an employer based outside the UK.

1. Senior or Specialist Worker

The Senior or Specialist Worker route replaces the former Intra‑Company Transfer (ICT) and applies to workers posted by their overseas employer to a linked UK business in a senior managerial or specialist role. Applicants must be employed by the overseas business and usually have significant work experience with that employer. Points are awarded for sponsorship, doing a job at an appropriate skill level and meeting the relevant salary criteria.

Dependants (partner and children) can apply to accompany or join the worker in the UK. This visa category emphasises temporary assignments and does not provide a path to settlement.

2. Graduate Trainee

The Graduate Trainee visa is for individuals on a structured graduate training programme that includes a compulsory work placement in the UK leading to management or specialist roles. Like the Senior or Specialist route, it requires a UK sponsor and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by that sponsor.

The Graduate Trainee route supports career development within an international organisation while providing practical experience and exposure to UK business operations.

3. UK Expansion Worker

The UK Expansion Worker visa allows a senior manager or specialist from an overseas company to come to the UK to establish a new branch or entity where the business currently has no trading presence in the UK. It is distinctive because the UK business is not yet trading, and the employee's primary task is to support organisational expansion.

To qualify, the applicant must have worked for the overseas company, be sponsored by a licensed UK sponsor, undertake an eligible role, and meet the salary requirement specific to the job. Like other GBM routes, it is a temporary visa and does not lead to settlement.

4. Service Supplier

The Service Supplier visa is for individuals who are part of an overseas entity providing services to a UK business under a contract covered by a valid international trade agreement. This category includes both employees of overseas service providers and self‑employed professionals based overseas. Applicants must have worked for their employer outside the UK or have significant professional experience if self‑employed, and must possess a valid CoS from an approved UK sponsor.

This route recognises the contractual nature of the work and the need to meet internationally agreed service provision commitments. There is no formal salary requirement, but applicants must show they meet either occupational eligibility codes or relevant qualifications and experience as defined in the rules.

5. Secondment Worker

The Secondment Worker visa applies when an overseas employee is seconded to the UK to fulfil work under a high‑value contract or investment with a UK sponsor. Applicants must have already worked for their overseas employer for at least 12 months and be provided with a CoS for work in an eligible occupation.

Secondment Workers can bring dependants and are permitted to work for their sponsor in the job stated on their Certificate of Sponsorship. They can also study and travel internationally while holding that visa, subject to prescribed restrictions.

Points Requirements and Eligibility Criteria

Global Business Mobility routes operate a points‑based eligibility system. Depending on the route:

• Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee and UK Expansion Worker applicants must score 60 points.
• Service Supplier and Secondment Worker applicants must score 40 points.

Points are typically awarded for:

• Sponsorship under the appropriate GBM category.
• Job at the appropriate skill level, usually at least graduate level on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.
• Salary at the required level, where applicable (notably for Senior or Specialist and UK Expansion Workers).

Non‑points conditions, such as tuberculosis test certificates where required and evidence of funds, must also be satisfied for the application to succeed.

Rights and Restrictions

Holders of a Global Business Mobility visa have specific work rights, limited to the conditions set out in their Certificate of Sponsorship. They may:

• Work only for the sponsor in the role described on the CoS.
• Bring eligible dependants (subject to individual route rules).
• Study and travel internationally, subject to visa conditions.

Restrictive elements include:

• No recourse to public funds (benefits and state support).
• No entitlement to settlement based on GBM visas alone.
• Work outside the sponsored role is prohibited unless appropriately authorised.

Routes differ on whether visa extensions are permitted, and applicants should check the specific terms applicable to their category.

Application Process and Practical Steps

Before Applying

1. Obtain Sponsorship: Ensure the UK employer holds the correct GBM sponsorship licence.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): A valid CoS must be issued to the applicant no more than three months before applying.
3. Check Eligibility: Confirm that the job, salary (if relevant), and applicant's work history meet route‑specific requirements.
4. Prepare Documentation: This includes identity documents, evidence of overseas employment, CoS reference, proof of funds and any required health checks.

Application

• Applications are made online via the gov.uk portal using the Global Business Mobility visa application.
• Applicants must pay the relevant visa fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
• Biometrics are provided as part of the process.

Decision Timelines

Processing times vary based on location and priority services (where available). UKVI publishes estimated times, which are useful for planning purposes. Applicants should apply up to three months before their intended start date in the UK.

Common Questions

Can GBM Visa Holders Switch to Other Visa Routes?

Switching from a GBM visa to other routes such as a Skilled Worker visa inside the UK can be possible in some circumstances but depends on route‑specific rules and eligibility criteria. Applicants should check the latest Home Office guidance and consider legal advice where necessary.

What About Dependants?

Most GBM categories allow partners and children to join the main applicant, provided they meet UKVI's dependant eligibility requirements and submit separate applications.

Does GBM Visa Lead to Settlement?

No. Global Business Mobility visas are temporary and do not provide direct routes to settlement. Time spent under these visas generally does not count towards settlement unless the applicant later successfully switches to a qualifying visa category.

Key Takeaways

The UK's Global Business Mobility visa rules set out a structured framework for overseas workers to undertake temporary assignments in the UK linked to international business operations. There are five principal GBM routes: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker. Each has specific eligibility, sponsorship and points requirements and is intended to support international business activities without offering settlement rights. Sponsors and applicants must carefully navigate these requirements, secure valid sponsorship, and prepare thorough documentation to ensure successful applications under current Immigration Rules.