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Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)

SENIOR OR SPECIALIST WORKER VISA

The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is a special visa type that allows international companies to temporarily transfer their managers or specialist employees to their UK-based subsidiaries, affiliates, or branches.

This visa has replaced the former Intra-Company Transfer Visa and is offered under the Global Business Mobility program.

  • Being employed by a company with a connection to a UK-based subsidiary, affiliate, or branch
  • Obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an approved sponsor employer
  • Having worked for the current employer for at least 12 months (with some exceptions)
  • Meeting the minimum salary requirements (typically £45,800 annually or £23.00 per hour)
  • The role must be on the list of eligible skilled occupations
  • Valid passport or travel document
  • Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
  • Documents detailing salary and job description
  • Evidence of at least 12 months of employment with the same employer (e.g., payslips)
  • No English language requirement, but communication skills with the employer are important
  • Payment receipts for visa and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees
  1. Obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer
  2. Submitting the visa application online
  3. Providing required documents
  4. Submitting biometric information (fingerprints and photograph)
  5. Paying the visa and IHS fees
  6. Evaluation and finalization of the application

What to Know
Before Applying

To achieve a successful outcome, it’s crucial to pay attention to the following points before applying for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa:

  • Intra-Company Transfer Visa: This visa is only for intra-company transfers and is not suitable for independent job seekers.
  • No Indefinite Leave to Remain: It does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain, but transitions to other visa types are possible.
  • Salary Requirement Is Critical: Meeting a specific salary threshold is mandatory to qualify for the visa.
  • 12-Month Employment Requirement: Applicants generally need to have been employed by the same employer for at least 12 months (except for high-salary roles).

Application Duration
and Recommendations

The visa application process should be planned and executed in a timely manner. To streamline the process and avoid potential issues, consider the following recommendations:

  • Plan Your Application Upon Receiving Sponsorship: The CoS issued by your employer has a limited validity period.
  • Complete Your Documents: Ensure payslips and employment history are fully documented.
  • Visa Typically Processed Within 3 Weeks: Submit complete documents to benefit from the fast processing time.
  • Family Application Opportunity: Your spouse and children can apply with you and may also gain work rights.
  • Explore Alternative Visas After Completion: If you have long-term career plans, consider transitioning to other visa types, such as the Skilled Worker Visa.

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