Business Immigration
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is part of the UK's Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes. It allows overseas businesses to temporarily transfer senior managers and specialist employees to a UK branch, subsidiary or linked entity to undertake a specific role in the UK.
This visa is designed for multinational organisations that need to move experienced personnel between international group companies. It is commonly used by businesses operating in sectors such as engineering, energy, technology, manufacturing, financial services and professional services.
The Senior or Specialist Worker route replaced the former Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa and provides a flexible solution for international companies requiring key personnel to work in the UK on a temporary basis.
To qualify for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, the applicant must:
The applicant does not need to demonstrate English language ability for this visa category.
In most cases, the applicant must have worked for the overseas linked business outside the UK for at least 12 months before the visa application is submitted.
This requirement does not apply where:
The applicant must be paid whichever is higher:
The salary must be genuine and comply with the Home Office requirements for the specific role being undertaken. Current thresholds and going rates are published on GOV.UK, and we confirm them before a Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned.
The UK company must hold a valid Sponsor Licence with permission to sponsor workers under the Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker category.
The UK sponsor will need to:
If your organisation does not currently hold a Sponsor Licence, it will normally be necessary to obtain one before the visa application can proceed.
Successful applicants can normally be granted permission for:
The maximum period of stay depends on the worker's salary and previous immigration history under Global Business Mobility and related routes.
Yes.
The applicant's partner and dependent children may apply to accompany or join the main applicant in the UK.
Dependants are generally permitted to:
No.
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is a temporary immigration route and does not lead directly to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).
Individuals wishing to settle permanently in the UK may need to switch into another immigration category, such as the Skilled Worker route, if eligible.
This visa is commonly used where:
At Visa Professionals, we assist both employers and employees with all aspects of the Senior or Specialist Worker visa process.
Our services include:
Whether you are an employer looking to transfer key personnel to the UK or an employee seeking immigration advice, our experienced immigration specialists can guide you through the process from start to finish.
Contact Visa Professionals today for expert advice on Senior or Specialist Worker visas and UK Sponsor Licence requirements.
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