Global Business Mobility

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is preferred for an individual who is required to work in the UK based on their overseas employment where the Sponsoring Employer is part of an international group. The GBM visa encircles different sub-categories like Graduate trainee or Senior or Specialist Worker etc. and so the duration of visa also depends on the same. It is the replacement of the former Intra-Company visas. Dependent partner & children can also join the Applicant on this visa; however, this route does not lead to settlement in the UK.

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Eligibility:

The Global Business Mobility collates different subcategories for visa where each of them have different eligibility requirements & purposes. The subcategories are listed below:

Senior or Specialist Worker: For senior managers or specialist employees transferring to a UK branch of their overseas employer.
UK Expansion Worker: For workers coming to the UK to establish a new branch or subsidiary of an overseas business.
Graduate Trainee: For workers on a graduate training programme being transferred to a UK branch for a placement.
Secondment Worker: For workers coming to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment.
Service Supplier: For workers coming to the UK to provide services under a UK trade agreement.

Although, the requirements for each subcategory are different but all of them rotates around similar factors at their core i.e. you must be over 18 & you must meet the following:

Skill equivalent to RQF level 6 (Degree level)
Already been working for your employer overseas
Valid Job for a licensed UK based employer for an eligible occupation code
Salary matching to the going rate or the minimum income requirement of your select subcategory e.g. £48,500 per annum for Senior or Specialist and Expansion Worker, whereas £25,410 per annum for Graduate Trainee and more.
Required minimum funds in your account.

If you are already in the UK, you may be able to switch to this visa depending on your subcategory. However, you must not be on the following visas: Visit, short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic worker in a Private Household, Immigration Bail, Permission to stay outside of Immigration Rules.

Please see all requirements in detail below to fully understand the eligibility criteria. If you do not meet any of the requirements from below, you may also check for the exceptions mentioned in section (F), in case it is applicable to you.

Requirements

a. Sponsorship

The core requirements for your sponsorship are:

You must have a job offer from a UK based employer and consequently been issued a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ (CoS) by the same employer for the time duration that you will be working with them in the UK.
To issue a CoS, your employer must have a Sponsor License and A-rated on the Home Office list of licensed sponsors. If your employer does not have any such license, they can apply for it.
Your proposed job must be on the Standard Occupation eligibility list, this is checked through matching the standard occupation code (SOC) mentioned on your CoS with the Home Office list.

The subjective requirements for each subcategory are:

Senior or Specialist Worker: Your CoS must contain the information about the work you will do in the UK. You must be working for your employer for at least 12 months before the application. However, if you are going to be paid £73,900 per annum or more, then no minimum time requirement.
UK Expansion Worker: You must be working as a senior manager or a specialist for your employer for at least 12 months before the application.
Graduate Trainee: You must be working for your employer for at least 3 months before the application.

Documentary evidence needed to prove this shall be discussed below in the documents section.

b. Finance

Minimum Salary:

Your employer must pay you a salary that is equal to or above the going rate for the specific SOC-standard occupation code, which matches to your job (or in simple words, going rate for the SOC mentioned on your CoS).

However, the minimum salary threshold for select subcategories of GBM is different:

Senior or Specialist Worker: £48,500
UK Expansion Worker: No separate requirement, hence only the going rate.
Graduate Trainee: £25,410 or 70% of the going rate unless you are a Healthcare or education worker where full going rate is required.

Therefore, if the going rate for your specific SOC is lower than your subcategory’s amount then your employer must pay you at least the minimum salary amount of your subcategory e.g. £45,800 for Senior or Specialist Worker. Meaning the employer must pay the amount whichever is higher. You can check your job’s going rate on the Home Office website here.

You may not have to meet this requirement, therefore please check the exemptions of your subcategory below in section (F).

Maintenance Funds:

You must also have at least £1,270 to support yourself for the first month when you start the job in the UK. This amount must be withheld for at least 28 days in a row.

If you are accompanied by partner/children, you need to prove additional funds:

£285 for partner
£315 for first child
£200 for each additional child

If you do not have such amount in your possession, you may also ask your employer to cover this for you.

Documentary evidence needed to prove these requirements shall be discussed below in the documents section.

c. Qualification (English language)

Although there is no English Language requirement for most of the subcategories of GBM visa, but if you are still required to prove this, you can meet this by either:

Taking an approved English language test such as IELTS (varies depending upon route & your location -please confirm with us) where you need to score at least CEFR level B1.
Or if you have an academic qualification or degree taught/researched in English. If this is from outside the UK then you will also need an Ecctis certificate whereby it depends on your location of qualification if whether you need a Statement of comparability or Visa and nationality service.
Or if you have successfully completed an English Language assessment recognized by the relevant regulatory professional body in your field

Documentary evidence needed to prove this shall be discussed below in the documents section.

d. Accommodation

Although this requirement is not as strict under this route like in family visa, however you are asked about suitable accommodation meaning it is exclusively occupied by you and your Dependant(s) if any and meets the public health standards. This could also be provided by your employer/company, or you could rent a suitable place for yourself later when you arrive to the UK.

e. Documents

Following is the brief guide on all the documentary evidence you will need to prove the abovementioned requirements:

Sponsorship: Certificate of Sponsorship (mentioning your Job title, occupation code, annual salary, working hours, sponsor name & license number etc.), Offer letter and/or signed Employment Contract from employer. For some people (applying under certain occupations like healthcare & education etc.) criminal record certificate is also required.

Additionally, based on your subcategory you must also provide printed or online (supported with letter from your sponsor signed by a senior staff member) payslips, bank or building society statements or building society pass book to evidence your prior overseas working experience with the employer.

For Dependant(s) applying with you: Marriage certificate or Civil Partnership certificate, personal statements of you & your dependent(s), child(ren) birth certificate, proof of cohabitation, bank statements/joint bank accounts, photographs together, communication proofs, divorce certificate from any previous marriages and optionally any other document that comes from government, doctor, or any professional attesting to your relationship. If only your child is joining you, and not their other parent (possibly your partner) then you must also provide proof of sole parental responsibility when applying, this is discussed in Child/Dependant visa.
Minimum Salary: Employment/Offer letter, pay slips, bank statements, P60 etc. (depends on whether you are applying for the first time, extending or changing employer/job).

Maintenance Funds: Your bank statement showing the required funds or a letter from your employer/Sponsor to certify maintenance for you (this will also be mentioned on your CoS).
Qualification: Test certificate, Degree certificate or official transcript.
Accommodation: Employer letter for provision of accommodation or Title Registry, or tenancy agreement and letter from landlord for no objection, council tax bill etc if any.
Tuberculosis: TB test certificate if you are applying from a country listed under Appendix T.
Mandatory documents: This includes all the conventional documents for identity & travel like passport, current/previous BRP (if you are extending this visa) & passport sized colour photos of the Applicant etc.

Our associates will help you collate all these documents and make sure these are submitted to UKVI on your behalf when you apply. Sign up through our enquiry form now to receive a free consultation on your matter.

f. Exceptions to any of the above

You do not need to meet the maintenance funds requirement if you are applying from inside the UK and have lived here for over 12 months.
If you are from a majority English speaking country or you have proved your knowledge of English language in your previous application (in case you are applying for extension) then you may not need to meet the English language requirement.
If you are applying for Senior or Specialist Worker, and if you are going to be paid £73,900 per annum or more, then no need to prove any minimum time for prior overseas work experience with your employer.
If you are applying for Senior or Specialist Worker, and if you are in the UK before 6 April 2011 on an Intra-company Transfer visa, or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long term Staff visa, or Senior or Specialist Worker visa, then you are exempted from proving salary requirement.
If you are applying for UK Expansion Worker, then you may not provide evidence of your prior overseas work experience with the employer if you are either:
- Being paid over £73,900; or
- A Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK; or
- A national or permanent resident of Australia doing work for an Australian company that is expanding to the UK.

Application Routes, Timeline, Fees & Intricacies

Following is the Home Office fees & expected time for GBM visa decision that varies depending on each subcategory:

Senior or Specialist worker

Applying from outside the UK (first application):

If you are going to be in the UK for 3 years or less (this is calculated from the work start date & end date on your CoS) £719 per person (3 weeks processing time)
If more than 3 years, then £1,420 per person (3 weeks)

Applying from inside the UK (Switch, Extend, Change of employer/job):

3 years or less, £827 (8 weeks processing time)
More than 3 years, £1,636 (8 weeks)

UK Expansion Worker and Graduate Trainee
- £298 (3 weeks processing time)
Same for additional family members/dependants added to your application.

Intricacies and duration of stay

You cannot switch to GBM visa except only for the subcategory of Senior or Specialist Worker if you are already in the UK on Intra Company transfer visa, subject to maximum stay allowed (explained below).

The availability of extension and the duration of stay on this visa is subject to the select subcategory:

i. Senior or Specialist Worker

You may extend this visa as many times as you wish until maximum period of stay is exhausted.
You will be granted stay of either 5 years or the period of work dates on your CoS with an additional 14 days, whichever is shorter.
The maximum period of stay in the UK on this subcategory of GBM visa depends on the amount you are being paid: less than £ 73,900 (maximum 5 years in any 6-year period), £73,900 or above (9 years in any 10-year period). In view thereof, the time you have spent on any of the GBM visas, or Intra-Company Transfer or Intra-Company Graduate Trainee visa, will also be included in your total period of stay.
If you are in the UK since 6 April 2011 on either Intra-company Transfer visa, or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long term Staff visa, or Senior or Specialist Worker visa, then maximum period of stay does not apply to you, and you may stay in the UK for as long as your employer sponsors you.

ii. UK Expansion Worker

You can extend this visa for another 12 months subject to maximum period of stay.
You will be granted stay of either 12 months after the work start date on your CoS, or the period of work dates on CoS with an additional 14 days, whichever is shorter.
The maximum period of stay in the UK on this subcategory is 2 years. Moreover, the general cap of 5 years stay in any 6-year period also applies if you have been on any of these visas: GBM visas (all subcategories), or Intra-Company Transfer or Intra-Company Graduate Trainee visa. Meaning you can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if you have had any of these visas.

iii. Graduate Trainee

You cannot extend this visa, but you may apply for another visa from outside the UK subject to maximum period of stay.
You will be granted stay of either 12 months or the period of work dates on your CoS with an additional 14 days, whichever is shorter.
The maximum period of stay in the UK on this subcategory is not separate, however the general cap of 5 years stay in any 6-year period applies if you have been on any of these visas: GBM visas (all subcategories), or Intra-Company Transfer or Intra-Company Graduate Trainee visa. Meaning you can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if you have had any of these visas.

Immigration Health Surcharge

In addition to the Home Office application fee, you might also need to pay healthcare surcharge i.e. £1,035 per person for each year of stay (this can be multiplied for the number of years your CoS is valid for to obtain the total amount) under this route in order to avail free NHS and this is not optional.

Urgent procedure

If you wish to skip the queue and get a faster decision from the Home Office, depending on the subcategory you may be able to choose from the following services:

Applying from outside the UK Priority service, an extra £500 (5 working days)
Applying from inside/outside the UK Super priority service, an extra £1000 (Next working day after appointment).

Same for additional family members.

*The timeline & fees abovementioned does not include or specify our processing time for your application and legal services fee at any point, and it shall be conveyed to you after consultation.

Please note:

A decision may take longer if the Home Office needs to request additional information from you or verify your details with other government departments. You will be informed if this occurs.

In the event of a delayed decision, you will typically not receive a refund. However, you can inquire about obtaining a refund for your priority service fee.

Route to Citizenship

The GBM visa does not lead to settlement, but you can apply for any other visa like Skilled Worker visa or Graduate visa from outside the UK if you wish to settle in the UK alongside working. However, different requirements apply in that case, and you may have to find another employer or job. Your time on GBM visa in the UK does not count towards the qualifying period to be eligible for settlement.

Rights & Limitations

During your time in the UK on a GBM visa you will be able to work (in an eligible job) or study. You may bring your dependant(s) if they are eligible. And you may also travel abroad & return to the UK.

Moreover, you will also be having free access to (NHS) Healthcare during your time in the UK, but this does not apply to prescriptions, dental treatment, eye treatment and assisted conception. However, you shall not be able to access the welfare benefits from Public Funds. Also, you cannot change or jobs or employer unless you update your visa.

You cannot work at a second job except for one case where you are on Senior or Specialist Worker visa and have previously had Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long term Staff visa.

Start your Application

Take the first step towards your future in the UK by starting your application with us. We understand that GBM visa requirements are complex, meaning it requires proper documentation, issuance of certificates & letters as well as strong legal representations to support the application. Therefore, we highly recommend you leave that to experts and relax! Our expert lawyers will guide you through the process, ensuring all documents are checked and the necessary evidence is provided to UKVI while addressing any potential issues.

Reach out to us at info@visamerch.com or fill out our short form for a prompt response and a free 15-minute consultation with our appointed immigration lawyer!

Source: Gov.uk

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Frequently Asked Questions

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