Overview of the Global Business Mobility Visas
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes allow overseas businesses to temporarily transfer or assign eligible workers to the UK for specific business purposes.
There are currently five Global Business Mobility routes:
- Senior or Specialist Worker
- Graduate Trainee
- UK Expansion Worker
- Service Supplier
- Secondment Worker
Each route has a different purpose and eligibility criteria. The appropriate route will depend on the relationship between the overseas and UK businesses, the worker’s role, the nature of the assignment and the proposed length of stay.
These routes are generally designed for temporary assignments and do not themselves provide a direct route to settlement.
Graduate Trainee
The Graduate Trainee route is designed for employees of overseas businesses who are undertaking a graduate training programme leading to a senior management or specialist position.
The applicant must normally have worked for the sponsoring organisation outside the UK for at least three months immediately before applying.
The role must be eligible and part of a structured graduate training programme.
The current minimum salary requirement is generally £27,300 per year, subject to the applicable rules. The maximum stay is generally 12 months.
Unlike some other work routes, a Graduate Trainee cannot normally switch into this route from inside the UK.
UK Expansion Worker
The UK Expansion Worker route is for senior managers and specialist employees of overseas businesses that are expanding into the UK.
It is intended for businesses that have not yet started trading in the UK.
The route allows an eligible overseas employee to come to the UK to undertake work connected with establishing the UK presence of the overseas business.
The applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship and meet the relevant requirements relating to their overseas employment, occupation and salary.
The route can allow a worker to stay for up to two years, subject to the applicable rules.
Where the business has already started trading in the UK, the Senior or Specialist Worker route may instead be relevant.
Service Supplier
The Service Supplier route is for eligible overseas service providers or self-employed professionals who need to come to the UK to provide services under a qualifying international trade agreement.
The applicant must generally be:
- An employee of an overseas business, or
- A self-employed service provider based overseas
They must provide services to an eligible UK business and satisfy the relevant qualifications, experience and occupation requirements.
The UK business must be an approved sponsor and provide a Certificate of Sponsorship. The applicant will also normally need to have worked for their overseas employer for at least 12 months or have the required professional experience if self-employed.
The maximum period of stay depends on the relevant trade agreement and can be six or 12 months.
Secondment Worker
The Secondment Worker route applies where an overseas employee is being seconded to the UK as part of a qualifying high-value contract between the overseas organisation and a UK sponsor.
The overseas employee must generally have worked for their overseas employer for at least six months.
The UK sponsor must have the appropriate qualifying contract, which under the current rules must meet the applicable high-value requirement. The worker must also undertake an eligible occupation and hold a Certificate of Sponsorship.
The route generally allows a stay of up to 12 months initially, with the possibility of extension, subject to the maximum two-year period under the route.
Sponsorship Requirements
Sponsorship is an important part of the Global Business Mobility routes.
The UK sponsor must hold the appropriate sponsor licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the worker.
The requirements for sponsorship differ between the five routes. Employers should therefore ensure that they apply for and use the correct sponsorship category.
The proposed role must also satisfy the applicable skill and salary requirements.
Most GBM routes generally require work at an appropriate skill level, with the current framework generally requiring graduate-level work, although specific provisions and exceptions can apply.
Length of Stay
The permitted period depends on the specific GBM route.
For example:
- Senior or Specialist Workers can have longer periods of permission, subject to maximum-stay rules.
- Graduate Trainees can generally stay for up to 12 months.
- UK Expansion Workers can generally stay for up to two years.
- Service Suppliers can generally stay for six or 12 months depending on the relevant trade agreement.
- Secondment Workers can generally stay for up to two years.
The applicant’s previous time in certain Global Business Mobility and predecessor routes may also affect the maximum period they can remain in the UK.
Dependants
Eligible GBM workers may be able to bring their partner and dependent children to the UK.
However, dependant eligibility should be checked against the specific GBM route because the rules are not identical across all five categories.
Dependants must satisfy the relevant requirements and normally make separate applications.
Settlement
The Global Business Mobility routes are temporary routes and are not routes to settlement.
A person who wants to remain in the UK permanently may need to qualify for another immigration route that leads to settlement.
Where appropriate, applicants should consider their longer-term immigration position before accepting a temporary assignment.
For example, an individual who expects to remain in the UK beyond the maximum period permitted under a GBM route may need to consider whether they could qualify for another work or immigration category.
Common Issues
GBM applications can become complicated where:
- The wrong route has been selected
- The UK and overseas businesses do not have the required relationship
- The overseas employment requirement is not satisfied
- The role is not eligible
- Salary requirements are not met
- The sponsor does not hold the appropriate licence
- The Certificate of Sponsorship contains incorrect information
- The applicant has not worked overseas for the required period
- The assignment exceeds the permitted duration
- Previous time in the UK affects the maximum stay
The correct route should therefore be established before sponsorship and visa applications are submitted.
How We Can Help
SWM Solicitors can advise overseas businesses, UK companies and individual workers on the Global Business Mobility routes.
Our assistance can include:
- Identifying the appropriate GBM route
- Assessing eligibility
- Advising on sponsor requirements
- Reviewing overseas and UK business relationships
- Reviewing Certificates of Sponsorship
- Assessing occupation and salary requirements
- Advising on supporting evidence
- Preparing and reviewing visa applications
- Advising on dependant applications
- Advising on extensions
- Considering longer-term immigration options