This guide is maintained as a current resource for July 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Comprehensive guide to UK visa applications for intra‑company transfers. Explains Global Business Mobility routes, eligibility criteria, sponsorship requirements, application process, conditions of stay, rights, restrictions and practical guidance for employers and employees.
Intra‑company transfer visas enable multinational companies to move employees from overseas branches to their UK offices for temporary work assignments. These visas support international business operations, allowing employers to bring in managers, specialists, and trainees with valuable skills and experience. This article explains the legal framework for intra‑company transfer (ICT) visa applications in the United Kingdom, covers eligibility requirements, application procedures, conditions of stay, time limits, compliance obligations and common questions. It draws on official government guidance and authoritative immigration resources to give clear, accessible information for employers, employees, solicitors and members of the public.
Legal Framework: Global Business Mobility Routes
The traditional Tier 2 (Intra‑company Transfer) route has been replaced by the Global Business Mobility category for new applicants. Two sub‑routes are most relevant:
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa – for experienced employees transferring to a UK branch to fill a role requiring specialist or senior skills.
- Graduate Trainee visa – for recent graduates on structured training programmes leading to managerial or specialist positions.
Both visas fall under Appendix Global Business Mobility of the UK Immigration Rules and require sponsorship by a UK employer with an appropriate Home Office licence.
Eligibility and Sponsorship Requirements
Sponsorship and Certificate of Sponsorship
To apply, the applicant must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by a UK sponsor with a current licence authorising Global Business Mobility sponsorship. Employers must be approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and have a valid sponsor licence before issuing a CoS.
The CoS must describe the role accurately and must be issued no more than three months before the visa application is made.
Employment and Work History
For the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, applicants must already be employed by the overseas group and be transferring to a UK branch. It is customary that the overseas employer and UK entity are connected corporate entities within the same group.
For the Graduate Trainee visa, the applicant must be on a structured graduate training programme and must have worked for their employer outside the UK for at least 3 continuous months immediately before applying.
Skills and Job Eligibility
The job in the UK must be on the Home Office's eligible occupations list for the relevant Global Business Mobility route. This typically means it meets a defined skill level reflecting managerial, specialist or graduate trainee responsibilities.
Salary Thresholds
Salary requirements differ by category:
- Senior or Specialist Worker visas generally require a minimum salary of £52,500 per year, or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher.
- Graduate Trainee visas require a lower threshold specific to trainees (often around £27,300 per year as a base minimum), reflecting entry‑level training roles.
Salary must be paid as gross annual earnings and must not include non‑guaranteed elements such as bonuses, overtime or discretionary payments.
Financial Requirement
Applicants must usually demonstrate sufficient maintenance funds (commonly £1,270 held for a continuous 28‑day period) unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS. Exemptions apply if the applicant has been on valid UK permission for at least 12 months.
English Language
The Global Business Mobility routes do not impose a mandatory English language test as part of eligibility, unlike the Skilled Worker route.
Application Process and Time Limits
Where to Apply
Depending on the applicant's current location, the visa application may be made:
- Outside the UK (entry clearance) through a UK visa application centre; or
- Inside the UK (permission to stay) where switching from another eligible visa category is permitted.
Timing
Applications can be submitted up to three months before the intended start date on the CoS. Both overseas and in‑country applications follow similar procedures, with biometric enrolment and submission of supporting documentation.
Decisions on entry clearance applications often take around three weeks, though priority processing services may be available for additional fees.
Switching Within the UK
Individuals currently in the UK on eligible visas (excluding Visitor or short‑term categories) may switch into a Global Business Mobility visa without returning overseas, provided they meet the route's criteria.
Duration and Conditions of Stay
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
A Senior or Specialist Worker visa typically allows the holder to stay in the UK for the shorter of:
- The length specified on the CoS plus 14 days; or
- Up to 5 years for most applicants.
Extensions may be applied for repeatedly up to the maximum period permitted under the route, and dependants may also apply to remain with the primary applicant.
Graduate Trainee Visa
Graduate Trainee visas are usually granted for the length of the structured training programme as stated on the CoS (often up to 12 or 24 months) and may not directly lead to settlement.
Rights and Restrictions
Visa holders under the Global Business Mobility routes can:
- Work for the sponsoring employer in the role specified on the CoS.
- Undertake a second job up to 20 hours per week in the same profession and at the same level as the main role, or in certain shortage occupations.
- Study, provided it does not interfere with the primary work role.
- Travel in and out of the UK during the visa's validity.
They cannot access public funds or settle permanently (indefinite leave to remain) solely through these visas. Time on these visas may, however, contribute towards long residence in the UK in some circumstances under separate rules outside the route’s direct settlement provisions.
Compliance and Employer Responsibilities
Sponsors have ongoing duties under UK immigration law. They must:
- Maintain accurate records of sponsored employees;
- Ensure roles and duties are correctly described on CoS;
- Notify UKVI of changes in employment, salary or contact details;
- Cooperate with compliance checks.
Failure to meet these obligations can lead to sanctions, including licence suspension or revocation, affecting a sponsor's ability to issue CoS for future intra‑company transfers. (See general sponsor duty guidance on GOV.UK.)
Common Questions
Can dependants accompany the applicant?
Yes. Dependants such as partners and children can apply to join or remain with the main visa holder under the “PBS Dependant” category, subject to their own eligibility criteria.
Is there a pathway to settlement?
These routes do not directly lead to settlement. Applicants seeking indefinite leave to remain typically need to switch into a route that qualifies for settlement (such as Skilled Worker) or accumulate sufficient lawful residence for long‑residence applications.
Can I start work before the visa is granted?
No. Work must not begin until the visa has been granted and the applicant has entered the UK with valid permission or obtained leave to remain.
Key Takeaways
Visa applications for intra‑company transfers under the UK's Global Business Mobility routes provide a structured framework for multinational employers to bring experienced staff and trainees to the UK. The Senior or Specialist Worker and Graduate Trainee visas have distinct eligibility requirements, including sponsor licences, Certificates of Sponsorship, salary thresholds and job eligibility. Applications can be made from outside the UK or by switching within the UK, with defined time limits and documentation requirements. Visa holders must comply with conditions covering permitted work, duration of stay and sponsor responsibilities. Understanding these requirements helps both employers and employees navigate the process effectively and remain compliant with UK immigration law.
