Immigration Rules Appendix Global Business Mobility routes

The Global Business Mobility routes are for workers based outside the UK who are undertaking a temporary work assignment in the UK as a Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier or Secondment Worker.

Appendix Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker

The Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK, where the worker is a senior manager or specialist employee and is being assigned to a UK business linked to their employer overseas. This type of assignment is often called an intra-company transfer or ICT.

A partner and dependent children can apply to come to the UK on this route.

The Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route is not a route to settlement.

Validity requirements for Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (“Senior or Specialist Worker”)

SNR 1.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Senior or Specialist Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:
1. (a) for applicants outside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility visa”; or
2. (b) for applicants inside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility”.
SNR 1.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Senior or Specialist Worker must meet all the following requirements:
1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
2. (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
3. (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
4. (d) the applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship that was issued to them by their sponsor no more than 3 months before the date of application.

SNR 1.3. The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

SNR 1.4. An applicant applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Senior or Specialist Worker who has received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency in the 12 months before the date of application which covers both fees and living costs for study in the UK, must have provided written consent to the application from that Government or agency.

SNR 1.5. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
SNR 1.5ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

SNR 1.5A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A, B or C below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in SNR 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than the course completion date; or
3. (c) Condition C:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in SNR 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.

SNR 1.6. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

SNR 2.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Entry requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 3.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a Senior or Specialist Worker must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a Senior or Specialist Worker before their arrival in the UK.

SNR 3.2. A person applying for entry clearance as a Senior or Specialist Worker must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Points requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 4.1. The applicant must be awarded all 60 points in the table below:

Points requirements	Relevant rules	Points
Sponsorship	SNR 5.1. to SNR 5.9.	20
Job at an appropriate skill level	SNR 6.1. to SNR 6.7.	20
Salary at required level	SNR 7.1. to SNR 9.3.	20

Points for Sponsorship for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 5.1. The applicant must have a valid certificate of sponsorship for the job they are planning to do, which to be valid must:
1. (a) confirm the applicant’s name, that they are being sponsored as a Senior or Specialist Worker, details of the job, salary and any allowances the sponsor is offering them (if applicable) and PAYE details if HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) requires income tax and national insurance for the sponsored job to be paid via PAYE; and
2. (b) include a start date for the job, stated by the sponsor, which is no more than 3 months after the date of application; and
3. (c) not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused (but can have been used in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn); and
4. (d) not have been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office; and
5. (e) unless the applicant is applying as a high earner, confirm that the applicant has worked outside the UK for the sponsor group for the period required at SNR 5.7.(b); and
6. (f) confirm whether the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirement in Appendix ATAS applies.

SNR 5.2. The sponsor must be authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Senior or Specialist Worker.

SNR 5.3. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless the applicant was last granted permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission.

SNR 5.4. The sponsor must have paid in full any required Immigration Skills Charge.

SNR 5.5. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do:
1. (a) does not exist; or
2. (b) is a sham; or
3. (c) has been created mainly so the applicant can apply for entry clearance or permission to stay.
SNR 5.6. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do amounts to:
1. (a) the hire of the applicant to a third party who is not the sponsor to fill a position with that party, whether temporary or permanent; or
2. (b) contract work to undertake an ongoing routine role or to provide an ongoing routine service for a third party who is not the sponsor, regardless of the nature or length of any arrangement between the sponsor and the third party.
SNR 5.6A. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do does not comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations or the Working Time Regulations.
SNR 5.7. An applicant as a Senior or Specialist Worker must:
1. (a) be currently working for the sponsor group; and
2. (b) unless they are applying as a high earner must have worked outside the UK for the sponsor group for a cumulative period of at least 12 months.
SNR 5.8. In SNR 5.7.(b) the 12 months’ work outside the UK can have been accumulated over any period provided that:
1. (a) the applicant was continuously working for the sponsor group , whether in or out of the UK, from the start of the 12 months to the date of application; and
2. (b) any breaks in the continuous work in SNR 5.8.(a) were only for the following reasons:
  1. (i) statutory maternity, paternity, parental, or shared parental leave; or
  2. (ii) statutory adoption leave; or
  3. (iii) sick leave; or
  4. (iv) assisting with a national or international humanitarian or environmental crisis, with the agreement of the sponsor group; or
  5. (v) taking part in legally organised industrial action; or
  6. (vi) jury service; or
  7. (vii) attending court as a witness.

SNR 5.9. If the requirements in SNR 5.1. to SNR 5.8. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for sponsorship.

Points for job at appropriate skill level for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 6.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2 or Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations that is identified as eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes, unless the conditions at SNR 6.7. are met.

SNR 6.2. The sponsor must have chosen an appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code, and the decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the sponsor has chosen a less appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code for any of the following reasons:
1. (a) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code is not eligible under the Global Business Mobility routes; or
2. (b) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code has a higher going rate than the proposed salary.
SNR 6.3. To support the assessment in SNR 6.2., the decision maker may, in particular, consider:
1. (a) whether the sponsor has shown a genuine need for the job as described; and
2. (b) whether the applicant has the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience needed to do the job as described; and
3. (c) the sponsor’s history of compliance with the immigration system including, but not limited to, paying its sponsored workers appropriately; and
4. (d) any additional information from the sponsor.

SNR 6.4. If the ATAS requirement in Appendix ATAS applies, the applicant must provide a valid ATAS certificate.

SNR 6.5. If the requirements in SNR 6.1. to SNR 6.4. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for a job at the appropriate skill level, subject to SNR 6.6.

SNR 6.6. No points will be awarded for a job at the appropriate skill level if the applicant is not also being awarded 20 points for sponsorship under SNR 5.9.

Transitional arrangements for job at appropriate skill level for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 6.7. If the date of application is before 4 April 2030, the applicant was granted permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker under the Rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded), they may be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

SNR 6.8. The SOC 2020 occupation code referred to in SNR 6.7. are the following:
1. (a) 3411 Artists; or
2. (b) 3412 Authors, writers and translators; or
3. (c) 3413 Actors, entertainers and presenters; or
4. (d) 3414 Dancers and choreographers; or
5. (e) 3422 Product, clothing and related designers.

Points for salary for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 7.1. The salary for the job for which the applicant is being sponsored must equal or exceed both:
1. (a) the general salary requirement in SNR 8.1. and SNR 8.2. unless the conditions at SNR 8.3. are met; and
2. (b) the going rate requirement in SNR 9.1. to SNR 9.3.
SNR 7.2. Salary under these requirements includes only:
1. (a) guaranteed basic gross pay (before income tax and including employee pension and national insurance contributions); and
2. (b) allowances which are guaranteed to be paid for the duration of the applicant’s employment in the UK (such as London weighting) or are paid as a mobility premium or to cover the additional cost of living in the UK.

SNR 7.3. Where allowances under SNR 7.2.(b) are solely for the purpose of accommodation they will only be taken into account up to a value of 30% of the total salary package

SNR 7.4. Salary does not include other pay and benefits, such as any of the following:
1. (a) flexible working where the nature of the job means that hours fluctuate and pay cannot be guaranteed; or
2. (b) additional pay such as shift, overtime or bonus pay, whether or not it is guaranteed; or
3. (c) employer pension and national insurance contributions; or
4. (d) any allowances, other than those specified in SNR 7.2.(b); or
5. (e) in-kind benefits, such as equity shares, health insurance, school or university fees, company cars or food; or
6. (f) one-off payments, such as ‘golden hellos’; or
7. (g) any payments relating to immigration costs, such as the fee or Immigration Health Charge; or
8. (h) payments to cover business expenses, including (but not limited to) travel to and from the applicant’s country of residence, equipment, clothing, travel or subsistence.

SNR 7.5. If the requirements in SNR 7.1. to SNR 7.4. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for salary at the required level, subject to SNR 9.5.

SNR 7.6. No points will be awarded for salary if the applicant is not also being awarded 20 points for sponsorship under SNR 5.9.

General salary requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 8.1. The general salary requirement is £48,500 per year, unless SNR 8.3 applies.

SNR 8.2. If the applicant is being sponsored to work more than 48 hours a week, subject to SNR 8.2A, only the salary for the first 48 hours a week will be considered towards the general salary requirement.

For example, an applicant who works 60 hours a week for £15 per hour will be considered to have a salary of £37,440 (£15 x 48 x 52) per year and not £46,800 (£15 x 60 x 52). Transitional general salary requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 8.2A. If the applicant is being sponsored to work a pattern where the regular hours are not the same each week, resulting in uneven pay:
1. (a) work in excess of 48 hours in some weeks can be considered towards the salary threshold of £45,800, providing the average over a regular cycle (which can be less than, but not more than, 17 weeks) is not more than 48 hours a week; and
2. (b) any unpaid rest weeks will count towards the average when considering whether the salary thresholds are met; and
3. (c) any unpaid rest weeks will not count as absences from employment for the purpose of paragraph 9.30.1 in Part 9 of these rules.
For example, an applicant who works a pattern of 60 hours a week for £20 per hour for two weeks, followed by an unpaid rest week, will be considered to work 40 hours a week on average and have a salary of just £41,600 (£20 x 40 x 52) per year.

SNR 8.3. The applicant does not need to meet the general salary requirement if the applicant is applying for permission to stay and was previously granted permission as a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Migrant under the rules in force before 6 April 2011, or as a Work Permit Holder and since then has continuously had permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker (including any period of overstaying disregarded under paragraph 39E of these rules).

Going rate requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 9.1. If the applicant is being sponsored for a job in one of the SOC 2020 occupation codes listed in Table 2 or Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations, the going rate requirement is 100% of the pro-rated going rate, which will be calculated as follows:

1 x (the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code stated in Table 2 or Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations) x (the number of weekly working hours stated by the sponsor ÷ 37.5).

SNR 9.2. If the applicant is being sponsored for a job in one of the health or education SOC 2020 occupation codes listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, the going rate requirement is 100% of the pro-rated going rate (and the going rate will be pro-rated according to the number of weekly working hours stated by the sponsor, and the pro-rating set out in Appendix Skilled Occupations).

SNR 9.3. The applicant’s full weekly hours will be included when checking their salary against the going rate, even if they work more than 48 hours a week.

For example, an applicant who works 60 hours a week in an a SOC 2020 occupation code with a going rate of £37,500 must be paid £60,000 (1 x £37,500 x 60 ÷ 37.5) per year, not £48,000 (1 x £37,500 x 48 ÷ 37.5).

Genuineness requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 9A.1. The applicant must:
1. (a) genuinely intend, and be able, to undertake the role for which they are being sponsored; and
2. (b) not intend to undertake employment other than in the role for which they are being sponsored, or as otherwise permitted by SNR 13.1.

Financial requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 10.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

SNR 10.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance or has been living in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application either:
1. (a) the applicant must have funds of at least £1,270; or
2. (b) the applicant’s A-rated sponsor must confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will, if it is necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of their employment to an amount of at least £1,270.

SNR 10.3. If SNR 10.2.(a) applies, the applicant must show that they have held the required level of funds for a 28-day period and as set out in Appendix Finance.

Maximum length of assignments requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 11.1. If the applicant is applying as a high earner, the grant of permission must not lead to the applicant being granted cumulative periods of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling more than 9 years in any 10-year period.

SNR 11.2. If the applicant is not applying as a high earner, the grant of permission must not lead to the applicant being granted cumulative periods of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling more than 5 years in any 6-year period.

SNR 11.3. When calculating the cumulative periods of permission referred to in SNR 11.1., SNR 11.2, and SNR 13.2. the following are included:
1. (a) all previous periods of permission granted on the Global Business Mobility routes; and
2. (b) all previous periods of permission granted on the Intra-Company routes; and
3. (c) if the applicant does not currently hold permission in the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission they could be granted under the current application, beginning on the start date of the job stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship; and
4. (d) if the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission on the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission they could be granted under the current application, beginning on the date of decision; and
5. (e) any period of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and the Intra-Company routes extended under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971.

Transitional arrangements for maximum length of assignments as a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 11.4. SNR 11.1. to SNR 11.3. do not apply and there is no maximum period of permission if the applicant is applying for permission to stay and was previously granted permission as a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Migrant under the rules in force before 6 April 2011, or as a Work Permit Holder and since then has continuously had permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker (including any period of overstaying disregarded under paragraph 39E).

Decision on an application as a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 12.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker are met the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

SNR 12.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant as a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 13.1. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) only the following work is permitted:
  1. (i) the job for which the applicant is being sponsored; and
  2. (ii) if the applicant is applying for permission to stay and was previously granted permission on the Intra-Company routes under the rules in force before 11 April 2022 and since then has continuously had permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker (including any period of overstaying disregarded under paragraph 39E), supplementary employment is permitted; and
  3. (iii) voluntary work is permitted; and
  4. (iv) working out a contractual notice period is permitted, where the applicant was lawfully working in that job in the UK on the date of application; and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED
SNR 13.2. Subject to SNR 13.4., permission will be granted for a period which is the shortest of the following:
1. (a) 5 years after the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
2. (b) 14 days after the end date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
3. (c) if the applicant is applying as a high earner, the date at which the applicant will have had cumulative permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling 9 years in any 10-year period; or
4. (d) if the applicant is not applying as a high earner, the date at which the applicant will have had cumulative permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling 5 years in any 6-year period.

SNR 13.3. If the applicant does not currently hold permission on the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission granted for the period between the date of decision and the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship will be excluded from the cumulative permission for the purpose of determining the period of grant of permission under SNR 13.2. (but not from the cumulative period in SNR 11.3.).

Transitional arrangements for period of grant as a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 13.4. If the conditions in SNR 13.5. are met, SNR 13.2. does not apply, and permission will be granted for a period which is the shortest of the following:
1. (a) 5 years after the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
2. (b) 14 days after the end date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship.

SNR 13.5. The conditions referred to in SNR 13.4. are the applicant is applying for permission to stay and was previously granted permission as a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Migrant under the rules in force before 6 April 2011, or as a Work Permit Holder and since then has continuously had permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker (including any period of overstaying disregarded under paragraph 39E).

Dependent Partner (“partner”) and dependent child (“child”) of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Validity requirements for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 14.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:

Applicant	Specified form
Applicants outside the UK	Dependant partner visa Dependant child visa
Applicants inside the UK	Dependant partner Dependant child

SNR 14.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker must meet all the following requirements:
1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
2. (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required;
3. (c) the applicant must have provided either a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
4. (d) the applicant must be applying as partner or child of a person who:
  1. (i) has made a valid application for entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK on the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route that has not been decided; or
  2. (ii) has entry clearance or permission to stay on the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route.

SNR 14.3. A person applying as a partner must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

SNR 14.4. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
SNR 14.4ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

SNR 14.4A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A or B below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B: the applicant must:
  1. (i) be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.

SNR 14.5. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 15.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

SNR 15.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Entry requirement for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 16.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a partner or child must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker before they arrive in the UK.

SNR 16.2. A person applying for entry clearance as the partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Relationship requirement for a partner of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 17.1. The applicant must be the partner of a person (P) where one of the following applies:
1. (a) P has permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker; or
2. (b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker.

SNR 17.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

SNR 17.3. DELETED

SNR 17.4. DELETED

Relationship requirement for a child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 18.1. DELETED.
SNR 18.2. DELETED.

SNR 18.3. DELETED.

Care requirement for a child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 19.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for a child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 20.1. DELETED.

SNR 20.2. DELETED.

Requirements for a dependent child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 20A.1. The applicant must meet the following requirements for a dependent child in Appendix Children:
1. (a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and
2. (b) care requirement; and
3. (c) age and independent life requirement.

Financial requirement for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 21.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

SNR 21.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance, or is applying for permission to stay and has not been in the UK for 12 months on the date of application, either:
1. (a) funds of at least the amount required in SNR 21.3. must be held collectively by one or more of the following:
  1. (i) the applicant; and
  2. (ii) the Senior or Specialist Worker (P); and
  3. (iii) if the applicant is applying as a child, their parent who is lawfully present in the UK or being granted entry clearance, or permission to stay, at the same time; or
2. (b) the sponsor of P must confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the partner and/or any child, as well as P, up to the end of the first month of each of their permission, up to at least the amounts in SNR 21.3.
SNR 21.3. The required funds are:
1. (a) £285 for a partner in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
2. (b) £315 for the first child in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
3. (c) £200 for any other child in the UK or applying for entry clearance.

SNR 21.4. If SNR 21.2.(a) applies, the funds held must be held in addition to any funds required for the Senior or Specialist Worker to meet the financial requirement and the funds required for any dependants in the UK or applying at the same time.

SNR 21.5. If SNR 21.2.(a) applies, the funds must have been held for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance.

Decision on an application as a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 22.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

SNR 22.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period of grant and conditions for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

SNR 23.1. A partner will be granted permission which ends on the same date as the person who is their partner and has permission as a Senior or Specialist Worker.

SNR 23.2. A child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first.

SNR 23.3. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted; except for employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED

Appendix Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee

The Global Business Mobility- Graduate Trainee route is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK, where the worker is on a graduate training course leading to a senior management or specialist position and is required to do a work placement in the UK. This type of assignment is often called an intra-company transfer- graduate trainee or ICT.

A dependent partner and dependent children can apply to come to the UK on this route.

The Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee route is not a route to settlement.

Validity requirements for a Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee (“Graduate Trainee”)

GTR 1.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Graduate Trainee must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:
1. (a) for applicants outside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility visa”; or
2. (b) for applicants inside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility”.
GTR 1.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Graduate Trainee must meet all the following requirements:
1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
2. (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
3. (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
4. (d) the applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship that was issued to them by their sponsor no more than three months before the date of application.

GTR 1.3. The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

GTR 1.4. An applicant applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Graduate Trainee who has received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency in the 12 months before the date of application which covers both fees and living costs for study in the UK, must have provided written consent to the application from that Government or agency.

GTR 1.5. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
GTR 1.5ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

GTR 1.5A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A, B or C below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in GTR 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than the course completion date; or
3. (c) Condition C:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in GTR 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.

GTR 1.6. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a Graduate Trainee may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

GTR 2.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a Graduate Trainee

Entry requirements for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 3.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a Graduate Trainee must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a Graduate Trainee before their arrival in the UK.

GTR 3.2. A person applying for entry clearance as a Graduate Trainee must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Points requirement for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 4.1. The applicant must be awarded all 60 points in the table below:

Points requirements	Relevant rules	Points
Sponsorship	GTR 5.1. to GTR 5.7.	20
Job at an appropriate skill level	GTR 6.1. to GTR 6.7.	20
Salary at required level	GTR 7.1. to GTR 9.3.	20

Points for Sponsorship for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 5.1. The applicant must have a valid certificate of sponsorship for the job they are planning to do, which to be valid must:
1. (a) confirm the applicant’s name, that they are being sponsored as a Graduate Trainee, details of the job, salary and any allowances the sponsor is offering them (if applicable) and PAYE details if HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) requires income tax and national insurance for the sponsored job to be paid via PAYE; and
2. (b) include a start date for the job, stated by the sponsor, which is no more than 3 months after the date of application; and
3. (c) not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused (but can have been used in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn); and
4. (d) not have been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office; and
5. (e) confirm that the applicant has worked for the sponsor group for the period required at GTR 5.6.(b); and
6. (f) confirm whether the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirement in Appendix ATAS applies.

GTR 5.2. The sponsor must be authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Graduate Trainee.

GTR 5.3. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless the applicant was last granted permission as a Graduate Trainee and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission.

GTR 5.4. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do:
1. (a) does not exist; or
2. (b) is a sham; or
3. (c) has been created mainly so the applicant can apply for entry clearance or permission to stay.
GTR 5.5. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do amounts to:
1. (a) the hire of the applicant to a third party who is not the sponsor to fill a position with that party, whether temporary or permanent; or
2. (b) contract work to undertake an ongoing routine role or to provide an ongoing routine service for a third party who is not the sponsor, regardless of the nature or length of any arrangement between the sponsor and the third party.
GTR 5.5A. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do does not comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations or the Working Time Regulations.
GTR 5.6. An applicant as a Graduate Trainee must:
1. (a) be currently working for the sponsor group; and
2. (b) have worked outside the UK for the sponsor group for a continuous period of at least 3 months immediately before the date of application.

GTR 5.7. If the requirements in GTR 5.1. to GTR 5.6. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for sponsorship.

Points for job at appropriate skill level for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 6.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2 or Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations that is identified as eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes.

GTR 6.1A. If the date of application is before 4 April 2030, the applicant was granted permission as a Graduate Trainee under the Rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Graduate Trainee since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded), they may be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

GTR 6.2. The sponsor must have chosen an appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code, and the decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the sponsor has chosen a less appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code for any of the following reasons:
1. (a) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code is not eligible under the Global Business Mobility routes; or
2. (b) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code has a higher going rate than the proposed salary.
GTR 6.3. To support the assessment in GTR 6.2. the decision maker may, in particular, consider:
1. (a) whether the sponsor has shown a genuine need for the job as described; and
2. (b) whether the applicant has the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience needed to do the job as described; and
3. (c) the sponsor’s history of compliance with the immigration system including, but not limited to, paying its sponsored workers appropriately; and
4. (d) any additional information from the sponsor.

GTR 6.4. The job must be part of a structured graduate training programme, with clearly defined progression towards a managerial or specialist role within the sponsor organisation.

GTR 6.5. If the ATAS requirement in Appendix ATAS applies, the applicant must provide a valid ATAS certificate.

GTR 6.6. If the requirements in GTR 6.1. to GTR 6.5. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for a job at the appropriate skill level, subject to GTR 6.7.

GTR 6.7. No points will be awarded for a job at the appropriate skill level if the applicant is not also being awarded 20 points for sponsorship under GTR 5.7.

Points for salary for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 7.1. The salary for the job for which the applicant is being sponsored must equal or exceed both:
1. (a) the general salary requirement in GTR 8.1. and GTR 8.2.; and
2. (b) the going rate requirement in GTR 9.1. to GTR 9.3.
GTR 7.2. Salary under these requirements includes only:
1. (a) guaranteed basic gross pay (before income tax and including employee pension and national insurance contributions); and
2. (b) allowances which are guaranteed to be paid for the duration of the applicant’s employment in the UK (such as London weighting) or are paid as a mobility premium or to cover the additional cost of living in the UK.

GTR 7.3. Where allowances under GTR 7.2.(b) are solely for the purpose of accommodation they will only be taken into account up to a value of 40% of the total salary package.

GTR 7.4. Salary does not include other pay and benefits, such as any of the following:
1. (a) flexible working where the nature of the job means that hours fluctuate and pay cannot be guaranteed; or
2. (b) additional pay such as shift, overtime or bonus pay, whether or not it is guaranteed; or
3. (c) employer pension and national insurance contributions; or
4. (d) any allowances, other than those specified in GTR 7.2.(b); or
5. (e) in-kind benefits, such as equity shares, health insurance, school or university fees, company cars or food; or
6. (f) one-off payments, such as ‘golden hellos’; or
7. (g) any payments relating to immigration costs, such as the fee or Immigration Health Charge; or
8. (h) payments to cover business expenses, including (but not limited to) travel to and from the applicant’s country of residence, equipment, clothing, travel or subsistence.

GTR 7.5. If the requirements in GTR 7.1. to GTR 7.4. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for salary at the required level, subject to GTR 7.6.

GTR 7.6. No points will be awarded for salary if the applicant is not also being awarded 20 points for sponsorship under GTR 5.7.

General salary requirement for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 8.1. The general salary requirement is £25,410 per year.

GTR 8.2. If the applicant is being sponsored to work more than 48 hours a week, subject to GTR 8.3, only the salary for the first 48 hours a week will be considered towards the general salary requirement.

For example, an applicant who works 60 hours a week for £8 per hour will be considered to have a salary of £19,968 (£8 x 48 x 52) per year and not £24,960 (£8 x 60 x 52).

GTR 8.3. If the applicant is being sponsored to work a pattern where the regular hours are not the same each week, resulting in uneven pay:
1. (a) work in excess of 48 hours in some weeks can be considered towards the salary threshold of £24,220, providing the average over a regular cycle (which can be less than, but not more than, 17 weeks) is not more than 48 hours a week; and
2. (b) any unpaid rest weeks will count towards the average when considering whether the salary thresholds are met; and
3. (c) any unpaid rest weeks will not count as absences from employment for the purpose of paragraph 9.30.1 in Part 9 of these rules.
For example, an applicant who works a pattern of 60 hours a week for £12 per hour for two weeks, followed by an unpaid rest week, will be considered to work 40 hours a week on average and have a salary of £24,960 (£12 x 40 x 52) per year.

Going rate requirement for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 9.1. If the applicant is being sponsored for a job in one of the SOC 2020 occupation codes listed in Table 2 or Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations, the going rate requirement is 70% of the pro-rated going rate, which will be calculated as follows:

0.7 x (the going rate for the occupation code stated in Table 2 or Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations) x (the number of weekly working hours stated by the sponsor ÷ 37.5).

GTR 9.2. If the applicant is being sponsored for a job in one of the health or education SOC 2020 occupation codes listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, the going rate requirement is 100% of the pro-rated going rate (and the going rate will be pro-rated according to the number of weekly working hours stated by the sponsor, and the pro-rating set out in Appendix Skilled Occupations).

GTR 9.3. The applicant’s full weekly hours will be included when checking their salary against the going rate, even if they work more than 48 hours a week.

For example, an applicant who works 60 hours a week in a SOC 2020 occupation code with a going rate of £37,500 must be paid £42,000 (0.7 x £37,500 x 60 ÷ 37.5) per year, not £33,600 (0.7 x £37,500 x 48 ÷ 37.5).

Genuineness requirement for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 9A.1. The applicant must:
1. (a) genuinely intend, and be able, to undertake the role for which they are being sponsored; and
2. (b) not intend to undertake employment other than in the role for which they are being sponsored, or as otherwise permitted by GTR 13.1.

Financial requirement for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 10.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

GTR 10.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance or has been living in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application either:
1. (a) the applicant must have funds of at least £1,270; or
2. (b) the applicant’s A-rated sponsor must confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will, if it is necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of their employment to an amount of at least £1,270.

GTR 10.3. If GTR 10.2.(a) applies, the applicant must show that they have held the required level of funds for a 28-day period and as set out in Appendix Finance.

Maximum length of assignments requirement for a Graduate Trainee

GTR 11.1. The grant of permission must not lead to the applicant being granted cumulative periods of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling more than 5 years in any 6-year period.

GTR 11.2. When calculating the cumulative periods of permission referred to in GTR 11.1. and GTR 13.2.(c), the decision maker will include the following:
1. (a) all previous permission on the Global Business Mobility routes; and
2. (b) all previous permission on the Intra-Company routes; and
3. (c) if the applicant does not currently hold permission on a Global Business Mobility route, any permission they could be granted under the current application, beginning on the start date of the job stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship; and
4. (d) if the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has or last had permission on a Global Business Mobility route, any permission they could be granted under the current application, beginning on the date of decision; and
5. (e) any period of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and the Intra-Company routes extended under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971.

Decision on an application as a Graduate Trainee

GTR 12.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a Graduate Trainee are met the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

GTR 12.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant as a Graduate Trainee

GTR 13.1. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) the only work permitted is:
  1. (i) in the job for which the applicant is being sponsored; and
  2. (ii) voluntary work; and
  3. (iii) working out a contractual notice period, where the applicant was lawfully working in that job in the UK on the date of application; and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED
GTR 13.2. Permission will be granted for a period which is the shortest of the following:
1. (a) 1 year after the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
2. (b) 14 days after the end date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
3. (c) the date at which the applicant will have had cumulative permission in the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling 5 years in any 6-year period.

GTR 13.3. If the applicant does not currently hold permission on the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission granted for the period between the date of decision and the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship will be excluded from the cumulative permission for the purpose of determining the period of grant of permission under GTR 13.2. (but not from the cumulative period in GTR 11.2.).

Dependent Partner (“partner”) or dependent child (“child”) of a Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee

Validity requirements for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 14.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:

Applicant	Specified form
Applicants outside the UK	Dependant partner visa Dependant child visa
Applicants inside the UK	Dependant partner Dependant child

GTR 14.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee must meet all the following requirements:
1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
2. (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
3. (c) the applicant must have provided either a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
4. (d) the applicant must be applying as partner or child of a person who:
  1. (i) has made a valid application for entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK on the Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee route that has not been decided; or
  2. (ii) has entry clearance or permission to stay on the Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee route.

GTR 14.3. A person applying as a partner must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

GTR 14.4. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
GTR 14.4ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

GTR 14.4A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A or B below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B: the applicant must:
  1. (i) be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.

GTR 14.5. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 15.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

GTR 15.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

Entry requirement for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 16.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a partner or child must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee before they arrive in the UK.

GTR 16.2. A person applying for entry clearance as the partner or child of a Graduate Trainee must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Relationship requirement for a partner of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 17.1. The applicant must be the partner of a person (P) where one of the following applies:
1. (a) P has permission as a Graduate Trainee; or
2. (b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission as a Graduate Trainee.

GTR 17.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

GTR 17.3. DELETED

GTR 17.4. DELETED

Relationship requirement for a child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 18.1. DELETED.
GTR 18.2. DELETED.

GTR 18.3. DELETED.

Care requirement for a child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 19.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for a child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 20.1. DELETED.

GTR 20.2. DELETED.

Requirements for a dependent child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 20A.1. The applicant must meet the following requirements for a dependent child in Appendix Children:
1. (a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and
2. (b) care requirement; and
3. (c) age and independent life requirement.

Financial requirement for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 21.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

GTR 21.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance, or is applying for permission to stay and has not been in the UK for 12 months on the date of application, either:
1. (a) funds of at least the amount required in GTR 21.3 must be held collectively by one or more of the following:
  1. (i) the applicant; and
  2. (ii) the Graduate Trainee (P); and
  3. (iii) if the applicant is applying as a child, their parent who is lawfully present in the UK or being granted entry clearance, or permission to stay at the same time as the applicant; or
2. (b) the sponsor of P must confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the partner and/or any child as well as P, up to the end of the first month of each of their permission, up to at least the amounts in GTR 21.3.
GTR 21.3. The required funds are:
1. (a) £285 for a partner in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
2. (b) £315 for the first child in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
3. (c) £200 for any other child in the UK or applying for entry clearance.

GTR 21.4. If GTR 21.2.(a) applies, the funds held must be held in addition to any funds required for the Graduate Trainee to meet the financial requirement and the funds required for any dependants in the UK or applying at the same time.

GTR 21.5. If GTR 21.2.(a) applies, the funds must have been held for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance.

Decision on an application as a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 22.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

GTR 22.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

GTR 23.1. A partner will be granted permission which ends on the same date as the person (P) who is their partner and has permission of a Graduate Trainee.

GTR 23.2. A child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first.

GTR 23.3. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted; except for employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED

Appendix Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker

The Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK, where the worker is a senior manager or specialist employee and is being assigned to the UK to undertake work related to a business’s expansion to the UK.

This route can only be used when the business has not yet begun trading in the UK. If the business is already trading in the UK, workers should apply under Appendix Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker instead.

A dependent partner and dependent children can apply to come to the UK on this route.

The Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route is not a route to settlement.

Validity requirements for a Global Business Mobility - UK Expansion Worker (“UK Expansion Worker”)

UKX 1.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a UK Expansion Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:
1. (a) for applicants outside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility visa”; or
2. (b) for applicants inside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility”.
UKX 1.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a UK Expansion Worker must meet all the following requirements:
1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
(b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
1. (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
2. (d) the applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship that was issued to them by their sponsor no more than 3 months before the date of application.

UKX 1.3. The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

UKX 1.4. An applicant applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a UK Expansion Worker who has received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency in the 12 months before the date of application which covers both fees and living costs for study in the UK, must have provided written consent to the application from that Government or agency.

UKX 1.5. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
UKX 1.5ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

UKX 1.5A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A, B or C below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in UKX 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than the course completion date; or
3. (c) Condition C:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in UKX 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.

UKX 1.6. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a UK Expansion Worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

UKX 2.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a UK Expansion Worker

Entry requirements for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 3.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a UK Expansion Worker must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a UK Expansion Worker before their arrival in the UK.

UKX 3.2. A person applying for entry clearance as a UK Expansion Worker must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Points requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 4.1. The applicant must be awarded all 60 points in the table below:

Points requirements	Relevant rules	Points
Sponsorship	UKX 5.1. to UKX 5.8.	20
Job at an appropriate skill level	UKX 6.1. to UKX 6.6.	20
Salary at required level	UKX 7.1. to UKX 9.3.	20

Points for Sponsorship for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 5.1. The applicant must have a valid certificate of sponsorship for the job they are planning to do, which to be valid must:
1. (a) confirm the applicant’s name, that they are being sponsored as a UK Expansion Worker, details of the job, salary and any allowances the sponsor is offering them (if applicable) and PAYE details if HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) requires income tax and national insurance for the sponsored job to be paid via PAYE; and
2. (b) include a start date for the job, stated by the sponsor, which is no more than 3 months after the date of application; and
3. (c) not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused (but can have been used in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn); and
4. (d) not have been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office; and
5. (e) confirm that the applicant has worked for the sponsor group for the period required at UKX 5.6.(b); and
6. (f) confirm whether the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirement in Appendix ATAS applies.

UKX 5.2. The sponsor must be authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a UK Expansion Worker.

UKX 5.3. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless one of the following applies:
1. (a) the applicant was last granted permission as a UK Expansion Worker and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission; or
2. (b) the applicant holds the role of authorising officer on the sponsor’s licence and the sponsor has a provisional rating on the Home Office’s register of licenced sponsors.
UKX 5.4. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do:
1. (a) does not exist; or
2. (b) is a sham; or
3. (c) has been created mainly so the applicant can apply for entry clearance or permission to stay.
UKX 5.5. The sponsor must choose an appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code, and the decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do amounts to:
1. (a) the hire of the applicant to a third party who is not the sponsor to fill a position with that party, whether temporary or permanent; or
2. (b) contract work to undertake an ongoing routine role or to provide an ongoing routine service for a third party who is not the sponsor, regardless of the nature or length of any arrangement between the sponsor and the third party.
UKX 5.5A. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do does not comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations or the Working Time Regulations.
UKX 5.6. An applicant as a UK Expansion Worker must:
1. (a) be currently working for the sponsor group; and
2. (b) have worked outside the UK for the sponsor group for a cumulative period of at least 12 months, unless the applicant is either:
  1. (i) applying as a high earner; or
  2. (ii) a Japanese national seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary of the sponsor group under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement; or
  3. (iii) a national or permanent resident of Australia seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary of the sponsor group under the Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Australia (when the agreement comes into force or is provisionally applied).
UKX 5.7. In UKX 5.6.(b) the 12 months’ work outside the UK can have been accumulated over any period provided that:
1. (a) the applicant was continuously working for the business at UKX 5.6.(a), whether in or out of the UK, from the start of the 12 months to the date of application; and
2. (b) any breaks in the continuous work in UKX 5.7.(a) were only for the following reasons:
  1. (i) statutory maternity, paternity, parental, or shared parental leave; or
  2. (ii) statutory adoption leave; or
  3. (iii) sick leave; or
  4. (iv) assisting with a national or international humanitarian or environmental crisis, with the agreement of the sponsor group; or
  5. (v) taking part in legally organised industrial action; or
  6. (vi) jury service; or
  7. (vii) attending court as a witness.

UKX 5.8. If the requirements in UKX 5.1. to UKX 5.7. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for sponsorship.

Points for job at appropriate skill level for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 6.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2 or Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations that is identified as eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes.

UKX 6.1A. If the date of application is before 4 April 2030, the applicant was granted permission as a UK Expansion Worker under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a UK Expansion Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded), they may be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

UKX 6.2. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the sponsor has chosen a less appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code for any of the following reasons:
1. (a) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code is not eligible under the Global Business Mobility routes; or
2. (b) the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code has a higher going rate than the proposed salary.
UKX 6.3. To support the assessment in UKX 6.2, the decision maker may, in particular, consider:
1. (a) whether the sponsor has shown a genuine need for the job as described; and
2. (b) whether the applicant has the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience needed to do the job as described; and
3. (c) the sponsor’s history of compliance with the immigration system including, but not limited to, paying its sponsored workers appropriately; and
4. (d) any additional information from the sponsor.

UKX 6.4. If the ATAS requirement in Appendix ATAS applies, the applicant must provide a valid ATAS certificate.

UKX 6.5. If the requirements in UKX 6.1. to UKX 6.4. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for a job at the appropriate skill level, subject to

UKX 6.6. UKX 6.6. No points will be awarded for a job at the appropriate skill level if the applicant is not also being awarded 20 points for sponsorship under UKX 5.8.

Points for salary for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 7.1. The salary for the job for which the applicant is being sponsored must equal or exceed both:
1. (a) the general salary requirement in UKX 8.1 and UKX 8.2; and
2. (b) the going rate requirement in UKX 9.1. to UKX 9.3.
UKX 7.2. Salary under these requirements includes only:
1. (a) guaranteed basic gross pay (before income tax and including employee pension and national insurance contributions); and
2. (b) allowances which are guaranteed to be paid for the duration of the applicant’s employment in the UK (such as London weighting) or are paid as a mobility premium or to cover the additional cost of living in the UK.

UKX 7.3. Where allowances under UKX 7.2.(b) are solely for the purpose of accommodation they will only be taken into account up to a value of 30% of the total salary package.

UKX 7.4. Salary does not include other pay and benefits, such as any of the following:
1. (a) flexible working where the nature of the job means that hours fluctuate and pay cannot be guaranteed; or
2. (b) additional pay such as shift, overtime or bonus pay, whether or not it is guaranteed; or
3. (c) employer pension and national insurance contributions; or
4. (d) any allowances, other than those specified in UKX 7.2.(b); or
5. (e) in-kind benefits, such as equity shares, health insurance, school or university fees, company cars or food; or
6. (f) one-off payments, such as ‘golden hellos’; or
7. (g) any payments relating to immigration costs, such as the fee or Immigration Health Charge; or
8. (h) payments to cover business expenses, including (but not limited to) travel to and from the applicant’s country of residence, equipment, clothing, travel or subsistence.

UKX 7.5. If the requirements in UKX 7.1. to UKX 7.4. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for salary at the required level, subject to UKX 7.6.

UKX 7.6. No points will be awarded for salary if the applicant is not also being awarded 20 points for sponsorship under UKX 5.8.

General salary requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 8.1. The general salary requirement is £48,500 per year.

UKX 8.2. If the applicant is being sponsored to work more than 48 hours a week, subject to UKX 8.3, only the salary for the first 48 hours a week will be considered towards the general salary requirement.

For example, an applicant who works 60 hours a week for £15 per hour will be considered to have a salary of £37,440 (£15 x 48 x 52) per year and not £46,800 (£15 x 60 x 52).

UKX 8.3. If the applicant is being sponsored to work a pattern where the regular hours are not the same each week, resulting in uneven pay:
1. (a) work in excess of 48 hours in some weeks can be considered towards the salary threshold of £45,800, providing the average over a regular cycle (which can be less than, but not more than, 17 weeks) is not more than 48 hours a week; and
2. (b) any unpaid rest weeks will count towards the average when considering whether the salary thresholds are met; and
3. (c) any unpaid rest weeks will not count as absences from employment for the purpose of paragraph 9.30.1 in Part 9 of these rules.
For example, an applicant who works a pattern of 60 hours a week for £20 per hour for two weeks, followed by an unpaid rest week, will be considered to work 40 hours a week on average and have a salary of just £41,600 (£20 x 40 x 52) per year.

Going rate requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 9.1. If the applicant is being sponsored for a job in one of the SOC 2020 occupation codes listed in Table 2 or Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations, the going rate requirement is 100% of the pro-rated going rate, which will be calculated as follows:

1 x (the going rate for the SOC 2020 occupation code stated in Table 2 or Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations) x (the number of weekly working hours stated by the sponsor ÷ 37.5).

UKX 9.2. If the applicant is being sponsored for a job in one of the health or education SOC 2020 occupation codes listed in Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations, the going rate requirement is 100% of the pro-rated going rate (and the going rate will be pro-rated according to the number of weekly working hours stated by the sponsor, and the pro-rating set out in Appendix Skilled Occupations).

UKX 9.3. The applicant’s full weekly hours will be included when checking their salary against the going rate, even if they work more than 48 hours a week.

For example, an applicant who works 60 hours a week in an SOC 2020 occupation code with a going rate of £37,500 must be paid £60,000 (1 x £37,500 x 60 ÷ 37.5) per year, not £48,000 (1 x £37,500 x 48 ÷ 37.5).

Genuineness requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 9A.1. The applicant must:
1. (a) genuinely intend, and be able, to undertake the role for which they are being sponsored; and
2. (b) not intend to undertake employment other than in the role for which they are being sponsored, or as otherwise permitted by UKX 13.1.

Financial requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 10.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

UKX 10.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance or has been living in the UK for less than 12 months, the applicant must have funds of at least £1,270.

UKX 10.3. The applicant must show that they have held the level of funds required by UKX 10.2. for a 28-day period and as set out in Appendix Finance.

Maximum length of assignments requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 11.1. The grant of permission must not lead to the applicant being granted cumulative periods of permission in the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling more than 5 years in any 6-year period.

UKX 11.2. When calculating the cumulative periods of permission referred to in UKX 11.1. and UKX 13.2.(d), the decision maker will include the following:
1. (a) all previous periods of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes; and
2. (b) all previous periods of permission on the Intra-Company routes; and
3. (c) if the applicant does not currently hold permission on a Global Business Mobility route, any permission they could be granted under this application, beginning on the start date of the job stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship; and
4. (d) if the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has or last had permission on the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission they could be granted under this application, beginning on the date of decision; and
5. (e) any period of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and the Intra-Company routes extended under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971.

Decision on an application as a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 12.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a UK Expansion Worker are met the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

UKX 12.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant as a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 13.1. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) the only work permitted is:
  1. (i) the job for which the applicant is being sponsored; and
  2. (ii) voluntary work; and
  3. (iii) working out a contractual notice period, where the applicant was lawfully working in that job in the UK on the date of application; and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED
UKX 13.2. Permission will be granted for a period which is the shortest of the following:
1. (a) 1 year after the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
2. (b) 14 days after the end date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
3. (c) the date at which the applicant will have had continuous permission as a UK Expansion Worker totalling 2 years; or
4. (d) the date at which the applicant will have had cumulative permission in the Global Business Mobility routes totalling 5 years in any 6-year period.

UKX 13.3. If the applicant does not currently hold permission on the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission granted for the period between the date of decision and the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship will be excluded from the cumulative permission for the purpose of determining the period of grant of permission under UKX 13.2. (but not from the cumulative period in UKX 11.2.).

Dependent Partner (partner”) and dependent child (“child”) of a UK Expansion Worker

Validity requirements for a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 14.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:

Applicant	Specified form
Applicants outside the UK	Dependant partner visa Dependant child visa
Applicants inside the UK	Dependant partner Dependant child

UKX 14.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker must meet all the following requirements:
1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
2. (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
3. (c) the applicant must have provided either a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
4. (d) the applicant must be applying as partner or child of a person who:
  1. (i) has made a valid application for entry clearance or permission to stay on the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route that has not been decided; or
  2. (ii) has entry clearance or permission to stay on the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route.

UKX 14.3. A person applying as a partner must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

UKX 14.4. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
UKX 14.4ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

UKX 14.4A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A or B below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B: the applicant must:
  1. (i) be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.

UKX 14.5. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 15.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

UKX 15.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker

Entry requirement for a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 16.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a partner or child must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker before they arrive in the UK.

UKX 16.2. A person applying for entry clearance as the partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Relationship requirement for a partner of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 17.1. The applicant must be the partner of a person (P) where one of the following applies:
1. (a) P has permission on the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route; or
2. (b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission on the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route.

UKX 17.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

UKX 17.3. DELETED

UKX 17.4. DELETED

Relationship requirement for a child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 18.1. DELETED.
UKX 18.2. DELETED.

UKX 18.3. DELETED.

Care requirement for a child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 19.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for a child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 20.1. DELETED.

UKX 20.2. DELETED.

Requirements for a dependent child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 20A.1. The applicant must meet the following requirements for a dependent child in Appendix Children:
1. (a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and
2. (b) care requirement; and
3. (c) age and independent life requirement.

Financial requirement for a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 21.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

UKX 21.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance, or is applying for permission to stay and has not been in the UK for 12 months on the date of application, funds of at least the amount required in UKX 21.3. must be held collectively by one or more of the following:
1. (a) the applicant; and
2. (b) the UK Expansion Worker (P); and
3. (c) if the applicant is applying as a child, their parent who is lawfully present in the UK or being granted entry clearance, or permission to stay, at the same time.
UKX 21.3. The required funds are:
1. (a) £285 for a partner in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
2. (b) £315 for the first child in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
3. (c) £200 for any other child in the UK or applying for entry clearance.

UKX 21.4. If UKX 23.2.(a) applies, the funds held must be held in addition to any funds required for the UK Expansion Worker to meet the financial requirement and the funds required for any dependants in the UK or applying at the same time.

UKX 21.5. If UKX 23.2.(a) applies, the funds must have been held for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance.

Decision on an application as a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 22.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

UKX 22.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant for a partner or child of a UK Expansion Worker

UKX 23.1. A partner will be granted permission which ends on the same date as the person (P) who is their partner and has permission as a UK Expansion Worker.

UKX 23.2. A child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first.

UKX 23.3. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted; except for employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED

Appendix Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier

The Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier route is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK, where the worker is either a contractual service supplier employed by an overseas service provider or a self-employed independent professional based overseas, and they need to undertake an assignment in the UK to provide services covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements.

A dependent partner and dependent children can apply to come to the UK on this route.

The Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier route is not a route to settlement.

Validity requirements for a Global Business Mobility - Service Supplier (“Service Supplier”)

SSU 1.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Service Supplier must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:
1. (a) for applicants outside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility visa”; or
2. (b) for applicants inside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility”.
SSU 1.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Service Supplier must meet all the following requirements:
1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
2. (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
3. (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
4. (d) the applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship that was issued to them by their sponsor no more than 3 months before the date of application.

SSU 1.3. The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

SSU 1.4. An applicant applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Service Supplier who has received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency in the 12 months before the date of application which covers both fees and living costs for study in the UK, must have provided written consent to the application from that Government or agency.

SSU 1.5. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
SSU 1.5ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

SSU 1.5A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A, B or C below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in SSU 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than the course completion date; or
3. (c) Condition C:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in SSU 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.

SSU 1.6. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a Service Supplier may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a Service Supplier

SSU 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

SSU 2.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a Service Supplier

Entry requirements for a Service Supplier

SSU 3.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a Service Supplier must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a Service Supplier before their arrival in the UK.

SSU 3.2. A person applying for entry clearance as a Service Supplier must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Points requirement for a Service Supplier

SSU 4.1. The applicant must be awarded all 40 points in the table below:

Points requirements	Relevant rules	Points
Sponsorship	SSU 5.1. to SSU 5.7.	20
Job at an appropriate skill level (option A) or Job at an appropriate skill level (option B)	SSU 6.1. to SSU 6.6. SSU 7.1. to SSU 7.5.	20

SSU 4.2. An applicant as a Service Supplier can be awarded 20 points by meeting the requirements of either SSU 6.1. to SSU 6.6. or SSU 7.1. to SSU 7.5.

Points for Sponsorship for a Service Supplier

SSU 5.1. The applicant must have a valid certificate of sponsorship for the job they are planning to do, which must:
1. (a) confirm the applicant’s name, that they are being sponsored as a Service Supplier, and details of the job the sponsor is offering them; and
2. (b) include a start date for the job, stated by the sponsor, which is no more than 3 months after the date of application; and
3. (c) not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused (but can have been used in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn); and
4. (d) not have been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office; and
5. (e) DELETED
6. (f) confirm whether the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirement in Appendix ATAS applies; and
7. (g) confirm which of the sponsor’s contracts registered with the Home Office the applicant will work on.

SSU 5.2. The sponsor must be authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Service Supplier.

SSU 5.3. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless the applicant was last granted permission as a Service Supplier and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission.

SSU 5.4. The sponsor must have a contract with an overseas service provider, where that contract:
1. (a) has been registered with the Home Office; and
2. (b) is for a service covered by:
  1. (i) one of the UK’s international trade agreements (other than the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)) where that agreement is currently in force or provisionally applied; or;
  2. (ii) the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), where the Protocol on the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to that agreement has entered into force for the UK, and both the country where the overseas service provider is located, and the country of which the service supplier is a national, have ratified the UK’s accession to the agreement.
3. (c) is the contract on which the applicant will work as a Service Supplier.
SSU 5.5. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do:
1. (a) does not exist; or
2. (b) is a sham; or
3. (c) has been created mainly so the applicant can apply for entry clearance or permission to stay.
SSU 5.6. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do amounts to:
1. (a) the hire of the applicant to a third party who is not the sponsor to fill a position with that party, whether temporary or permanent; or
2. (b) contract work to undertake an ongoing routine role or to provide an ongoing routine service for a third party who is not the sponsor, regardless of the nature or length of any arrangement between the sponsor and the third party.
SSU 5.6A. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do does not comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations or the Working Time Regulations.

SSU 5.7. If the requirements in SSU 5.1. to SSU 5.6. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for sponsorship.

Points for job at appropriate skill level for a Service Supplier – Option A

SSU 6.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in an SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2 or Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations that is identified as eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes.

SSU 6.1A. If the date of application is before 4 April 2030, the applicant was granted permission as a Service Supplier under the rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Service Supplier since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded), they may be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

SSU 6.2. The sponsor must choose an appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code, and the decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the sponsor has chosen a less appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code due to the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code not being eligible under the Global Business Mobility routes.

SSU 6.3. To support the assessment in SSU 6.2., the decision maker may, in particular, consider:
1. (a) whether the sponsor has shown a genuine need for the job as described; and
2. (b) whether the applicant has the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience needed to do the job as described; and
3. (c) the sponsor’s history of compliance with the immigration system including, but not limited to, paying its sponsored workers appropriately; and
4. (d) any additional information from the sponsor.

SSU 6.4. If the ATAS requirement in Appendix ATAS applies, the applicant must provide a valid ATAS certificate.

SSU 6.5. If the requirements in SSU 6.1. to SSU 6.4. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for a job at the appropriate skill level, subject to SSU 6.6.

SSU 6.6. No points will be awarded for a job at the appropriate skill level if the applicant is not also being awarded 20 points for sponsorship under SSU 5.7.

Points for job at appropriate skill level for a Service Supplier – Option B

SSU 7.1. The applicant must have a university degree or equivalent level technical qualification unless they are employed by an overseas service provider supplying one of the following services, in which case the qualification requirements in the following table apply:

Services	Qualification
Fashion and modelling	None required
Chef de cuisine	An advanced technical qualification
Entertainment services (excluding audio-visual services under the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement)	None required
Management consulting services and services related to management consulting (managers and senior consultants)	University degree (equivalent level technical qualification not permitted)
Advertising or translation	Relevant qualifications
Technical testing and analysis	University degree or a relevant technical qualification

SSU 7.2. The applicant must hold any professional qualifications or registrations required to provide the services under UK law or sectoral requirements.

SSU 7.3. The applicant must have professional experience in the sector in which they will supply services as follows:
1. (a) 3 years’ experience; or
2. (b) if they are supplying chef de cuisine services under the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement, 6 years’ experience; or
3. (c) if they are a self-employed overseas service provider, 6 years’ experience.

SSU 7.4. If the requirements in SSU 7.1. to SSU 7.3. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for a job at the appropriate skill level, subject to SSU 7.5.

SSU 7.5. No points will be awarded for a job at the appropriate skill level if the applicant is not also being awarded 20 points for sponsorship under SSU 5.7.

Nationality requirement for a Service Supplier

SSU 8.1. The applicant must be:
1. (a) a national of the country or territory in which the overseas service provider is based; or
2. (b) where the service that the applicant will provide is covered by a commitment in the General Agreement on Trade in Services and the applicant’s employer is established in a country or territory that has made a notification under Article XXVIII(k)(ii)(2) of that agreement, a permanent resident of that country or territory; or
3. (c) where the service that the applicant will provide is covered by a commitment in the Temporary Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Services Mobility, a permanent resident of Switzerland; or
4. (d) where the service that the applicant will provide is covered by a commitment in the United Kingdom-European Union Trade and Cooperation Agreement, a national of any Member State of the European Union or any other person included in the definition of “natural person of a Party” for the European Union in Article 512(k) of that agreement; or
5. (e) where the service that the applicant will provide is covered by a contractual service supplier commitment in the CARIFORUM-United Kingdom Economic Partnership Agreement, a national of any CARIFORUM State that has provisionally applied or brought into force that agreement; or
6. (f) where the service that the applicant will provide is covered by a commitment in the Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Australia, a permanent resident of Australia; or
7. (g) where the service that the applicant will provide is covered by a commitment in the Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and New Zealand, a permanent resident of New Zealand; or
8. (h) where the service that the applicant will provide is covered by a commitment in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a national of a party to that agreement or a permanent resident of Australia, Canada or New Zealand, subject to the provisions of paragraph (i);
9. (i) Where the commitment in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) falls into a category in the first column of the table, the applicant must be a national of a country in the second column of the table below (or to the extent that Australia, Canada or New Zealand is listed in that column, a permanent resident of that country):

Category	CPTPP Parties with access
Contractual Service Suppliers	Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Vietnam
Independent Professionals	Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand

Overseas work requirement for a Service Supplier

SSU 9.1. The applicant must:
1. (a) be currently working as or for an overseas service provider that will provide services to the sponsor; and
2. (b) have worked as or for the overseas service provider outside the UK for a cumulative period of 12 months.

SSU 9.2. In SSU 9.1. the 12 months’ work outside the UK can have been accumulated over any period provided that:
1. (a) the applicant was either:
  1. (i) continuously working for the overseas service provider at SSU 9.1., whether in or out of the UK, from the start of the 12 months to the date of application; or
  2. (ii) if the applicant is a self-employed overseas service provider, continuously working in the same sector as the service they will provide to the sponsor, whether in or out of the UK, from the start of the 12 months to the date of application; and
2. (b) any breaks in the continuous work in SSU 9.2.(a) were only for the following reasons:
  1. (i) statutory maternity, paternity, parental, or shared parental leave; or
  2. (ii) statutory adoption leave; or
  3. (iii) sick leave; or
  4. (iv) assisting with a national or international humanitarian or environmental crisis, with the agreement of the overseas service provider; or
  5. (v) taking part in legally organised industrial action; or
  6. (vi) jury service; or
  7. (vii) attending court as a witness.

Genuineness requirement for a Service Supplier

SSU 9A.1. The applicant must:
1. (a) genuinely intend, and be able, to undertake the role for which they are being sponsored; and
2. (b) not intend to undertake employment other than in the role for which they are being sponsored, or as otherwise permitted by SSU 13.1.

Financial requirement for a Service Supplier

SSU 10.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

SSU 10.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance or has been living in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application either:
1. (a) the applicant must have funds of at least £1,270; or
2. (b) the applicant’s A-rated sponsor must confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will, if it is necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of their employment to an amount of at least £1,270.

SSU 10.3. If SSU 10.2.(a) applies, the applicant must show that they have held the required level of funds for a 28-day period and as set out in Appendix Finance.

Maximum length of assignments requirement for a Service Supplier

SSU 11.1. The grant of permission must not lead to the applicant being granted cumulative periods of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling more than 5 years in any 6-year period.

SSU 11.2. When calculating the cumulative periods of permission referred to in SSU 11.1., the decision maker will include the following:
1. (a) all previous periods of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes; and
2. (b) all previous periods of permission on the Intra-Company routes; and
3. (c) if the applicant does not currently hold permission in the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission they could be granted under this application, beginning on the start date of the job stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship; and
4. (d) if the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has or last had permission on the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission they could be granted under this application, beginning on the date of decision; and
5. (e) any period of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and the Intra-Company routes extended under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971.

Decision on an application as a Service Supplier

SSU 12.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a Service Supplier are met the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

SSU 12.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant as a Service Supplier

SSU 13.1. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) the only work permitted is:
  1. (i) the job for which the applicant is being sponsored; and
  2. (ii) voluntary work; and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED
SSU 13.2. If the application is for entry clearance, permission will be granted for a period which is the shortest of the following:
1. (a) 14 days after the end date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
2. (b) the date at which the applicant will have had cumulative permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling 5 years in any 6-year period; or
3. (c) the maximum single assignment period which is:
  1. (i) if the applicant is covered by a relevant commitment in the United Kingdom-European Union Trade and Cooperation Agreement and is a national of any Member State of the European Union or any other person included in the definition of “natural person of a Party” for the European Union in Article 512(k) of that agreement, 12 months; or
  2. (ii) if the applicant is a Swiss national or permanent resident covered by a relevant commitment in the Temporary Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Services Mobility, 12 months; or
  3. (iia) if the applicant is an Australian national or permanent resident covered by a relevant commitment in the Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Australia, 12 months; or
  4. (iib) if the applicant is covered by a relevant commitment in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and is a person included in the definition of “business person” under Article 12.1 of that agreement, 12 months, or;
  5. (iii) in all other cases, 6 months.
SSU 13.3. If the application is for permission to stay, the permission will be granted for a period which is the shortest of the following:
1. (a) 14 days after the end date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
2. (b) the date at which the applicant will have had cumulative permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling 5 years in any 6-year period; or
3. (c) the maximum single assignment period which is:
  1. (i) if the applicant is covered by a relevant commitment in the United Kingdom-European Union Trade and Cooperation Agreement and is a national of any Member State of the European Union or any other person included in the definition of “natural person of a Party” for the European Union in Article 512(k) of that agreement, the difference between the period the applicant has already spent in the UK since their last grant of permission as a Service Supplier and 12 months; or
  2. (ii) if the applicant is a Swiss national or permanent resident covered by a relevant commitment in the Temporary Agreement between the Swiss Confederation and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Services Mobility, the difference between the period the applicant has already spent in the UK since their last grant of permission as a Service Supplier and 12 months; or
  3. (iia) if the applicant is an Australian national or permanent resident covered by a relevant commitment in the Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Australia, the difference between the period the applicant has already spent in the UK since their last grant of permission as a Service Supplier and 12 months; or
  4. (iib) if the applicant is covered by a relevant commitment in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the difference between the period the applicant has already spent in the UK since their last grant of permission as a Service Supplier and 12 months; or
  5. (iii) in all other cases, the difference between the period the applicant has already spent in the UK since their last grant of permission as a Service Supplier and 6 months.

SSU 13.4. If the applicant does not currently hold permission on the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission granted for the period between the date of decision and the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship will be excluded from the cumulative permission for the purpose of determining the period of grant of permission under SSU 13.2. and SSU 13.3. (but not from the cumulative period in SSU 11.2.).

Dependent Partner (“partner”) and dependent child (“child”) of a Service Supplier

Validity requirements for a partner or child of a Service Supplier

SSU 14.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a Service Supplier must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:

Applicant	Specified form
Applicants outside the UK	Dependant partner visa Dependant child visa
Applicants inside the UK	Dependant partner Dependant child

SSU 14.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a Service Supplier must meet all the following requirements:
1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
2. (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
3. (c) the applicant must have provided either a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
4. (d) the applicant must be applying as partner or child of a person who:
  1. (i) has made a valid application for entry clearance or permission to stay on the Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier route that has not been decided; or
  2. (ii) has entry clearance or permission to stay on the Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier route.

SSU 14.3. A person applying as a partner must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

SSU 14.4. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
SSU 14.4ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

SSU 14.4A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A or B below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B: the applicant must:
  1. (i) be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.

SSU 14.5. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a partner or child of a Service Supplier may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a partner or child of a Service Supplier

SSU 15.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

SSU 15.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child of a Service Supplier

Entry requirement for a partner or child of a Service Supplier

SSU 16.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a partner or child must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a partner or child of a Service Supplier before they arrive in the UK.

SSU 16.2. A person applying for entry clearance as the partner or child of a Service Supplier must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Relationship requirement for a partner of a Service Supplier

SSU 17.1. The applicant must be the partner of a person (P) where one of the following applies:
1. (a) P has permission on the Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier route; or
2. (b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission on the Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier route.

SSU 17.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met. SSU 17.3. DELETED

SSU 17.4. DELETED

Relationship requirement for a child of a Service Supplier

SSU 18.1. DELETED.
SSU 18.2. DELETED.

SSU 18.3. DELETED.

Care requirement for a child of a Service Supplier

SSU 19.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for a child of a Service Supplier

SSU 20.1. DELETED.

SSU 20.2. DELETED.

Requirements for a dependent child of a Service Supplier

SSU 20A.1. The applicant must meet the following requirements for a dependent child in Appendix Children:
1. (a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and
2. (b) care requirement; and
3. (c) age and independent life requirement.

Financial requirement for a partner or child of a Service Supplier

SSU 21.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

SSU 21.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance, or is applying for permission to stay and has not been in the UK for 12 months on the date of application, either:
1. (a) funds of at least the amount required in SSU 21.3 must be held collectively by one or more of the following:
  1. (i) the applicant; and
  2. (ii) the Service Supplier (P); and
  3. (iii) if the applicant is applying as a child, their parent who is lawfully present in the UK or being granted entry clearance, or permission to stay, at the same time as the applicant; or
2. (b) the sponsor of P must confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the partner and/or any child as well as P, up to the end of the first month of each of their permission, up to at least the amounts in SSU 21.3.
SSU 21.3. The required funds are:
1. (a) £285 for a partner in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
2. (b) £315 for the first child in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
3. (c) £200 for any other child in the UK or applying for entry clearance.

SSU 21.4. If SSU 21.2.(a) applies, the funds held must be held in addition to any funds required for the Service Supplier to meet the financial requirement and the funds required for any dependants in the UK or applying at the same time.

SSU 21.5. If SSU 21.2.(a) applies, the funds must have been held for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance.

Decision on an application as a partner or child of a Service Supplier

SSU 22.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for a partner or child of a Service Supplier the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

SSU 22.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant for a partner or child of a Service Supplier

SSU 23.1. A partner will be granted permission which ends on the same date as the person (P) who is their partner and has permission as a Service Supplier.

SSU 23.2. A child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first.

SSU 23.3. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted; except for employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED

Appendix Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker

The Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker route is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK, where the worker is being seconded to the UK as part of a high value contract or investment by their employer overseas.

A dependent partner and dependent children can apply to come to the UK on this route.

The Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker route is not a route to settlement.

Validity requirements for a Global Business Mobility - Secondment Worker (“Secondment Worker”)

SEC 1.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Secondment Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:
1. (a) for applicants outside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility visa”; or
2. (b) for applicants inside the UK, form “Global Business Mobility”.
SEC 1.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Secondment Worker must meet all the following requirements:
1. (a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
2. (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
3. (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
4. (d) the applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship that was issued to them by their sponsor no more than 3 months before the date of application.

SEC 1.3. The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

SEC 1.4. An applicant applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a Secondment Worker who has received an award from a Government or international scholarship agency in the 12 months before the date of application which covers both fees and living costs for study in the UK, must have provided written consent to the application from that Government or agency.

SEC 1.5. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
SEC 1.5ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

SEC 1.5A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A, B or C below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study at degree level or above with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in SEC 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than the course completion date; or
3. (c) Condition C:
  1. (i) the applicant must be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) the Certificate of Sponsorship in SEC 1.2(d) must have a start date no earlier than 24 months after the start date of that course.

SEC 1.6. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a Secondment Worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a Secondment Worker

SEC 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

SEC 2.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a Secondment Worker

Entry requirements for a Secondment Worker

SEC 3.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a Secondment Worker must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a Secondment Worker before their arrival in the UK.

SEC 3.2. A person applying for entry clearance as a Secondment Worker must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Points requirement for a Secondment Worker

SEC 4.1. The applicant must be awarded all 40 points in the table below:

Points requirements	Relevant rules	Points
Sponsorship	SEC 5.1. to SEC 5.7.	20
Job at an appropriate skill level	SEC 6.1. to SEC 6.6.	20

Points for Sponsorship for a Secondment Worker

SEC 5.1. The applicant must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job they are planning to do, which to be valid must:
1. (a) confirm the applicant’s name, that they are being sponsored as a Secondment Worker, and details of the job the sponsor is offering them; and
2. (b) include a start date for the job, stated by the sponsor, which must be no more than 3 months after the date of application; and
3. (c) not have been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused (but can have been used in a previous application which was rejected as invalid, made void or withdrawn); and
4. (d) not have been withdrawn by the sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office; and
5. (e) DELETED
6. (f) confirm whether or not the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) requirement in Appendix ATAS applies; and
7. (g) confirm on which of the sponsor’s contracts registered with the Home Office the applicant will work.

SEC 5.2. The sponsor must be authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a Secondment Worker.

SEC 5.3. The sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, unless the applicant was last granted permission as a Secondment Worker and is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission.

SEC 5.4. The sponsor must have a contract with an overseas business, where that contract has been registered with the Home Office, and on which an applicant as a Secondment Worker will work.

SEC 5.5. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do:
1. (a) does not exist; or
2. (b) is a sham; or
3. (c) has been created mainly so the applicant can apply for entry clearance or permission to stay.
SEC 5.6. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do amounts to:
1. (a) the hire of the applicant to a third party who is not the sponsor to fill a position with that party, whether temporary or permanent; or
2. (b) contract work to undertake an ongoing routine role or to provide an ongoing routine service for a third party who is not the sponsor, regardless of the nature or length of any arrangement between the sponsor and the third party.
SEC 5.6A. The decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the job the applicant is being sponsored to do does not comply with the National Minimum Wage Regulations or the Working Time Regulations.

SEC 5.7. If the requirements in SEC 5.1. to SEC 5.6. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for sponsorship.

Points for job at appropriate skill level for a Secondment Worker

SEC 6.1. The applicant must be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2 or Table 3 of Appendix Skilled Occupations that is identified as eligible for the Global Business Mobility routes.

SEC 6.1A.If the date of application is before 4 April 2030, the applicant was granted permission as a Secondment Worker under the Rules in place before 4 April 2024, and they have had continuous permission as a Secondment Worker since then (except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded), they may be sponsored for a job in a SOC 2020 occupation code listed in Table 2b of Appendix Skilled Occupations.

SEC 6.2. The sponsor must choose an appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code, and the decision maker must not have reasonable grounds to believe the sponsor has chosen a less appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code due to the most appropriate SOC 2020 occupation code not being eligible under the Global Business Mobility routes.

SEC 6.3. To support the assessment in SEC 6.2, the decision maker may, in particular, consider:
1. (a) whether the sponsor has shown a genuine need for the job as described; and
2. (b) whether the applicant has the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience needed to do the job as described; and
3. (c) the sponsor’s history of compliance with the immigration system including, but not limited to, paying its sponsored workers appropriately; and
4. (d) any additional information from the sponsor.

SEC 6.4. If the ATAS requirement in Appendix ATAS applies, the applicant must provide a valid ATAS certificate.

SEC 6.5. If the requirements in SEC 6.1. to SEC 6.4. are met, the applicant will be awarded 20 points for a job at the appropriate skill level, subject to SEC 6.6.

SEC 6.6. No points will be awarded for a job at the appropriate skill level if the applicant is not also being awarded 20 points for sponsorship under SEC 5.7.

Overseas Work requirement for a Secondment Worker

SEC 7.1 The applicant must meet the overseas work requirement at SEC 7.2. unless the applicant:
1. (a) is applying for permission to stay; and
2. (b) has, or last had, permission as a Secondment Worker; and
3. (c) is applying to continue working for the same sponsor as in their last permission.
SEC 7.2 The overseas requirement will be met where the applicant:
1. (a) is currently working for an overseas business that has a contract with the sponsor that has been registered with the Home Office by the sponsor; and
2. (b) has worked outside the UK for that overseas business for a cumulative period of at least 12 months.
SEC 7.3. In SEC 7.2.(b) the 12 months’ work outside the UK can have been accumulated over any period provided that:
1. (a) the applicant was continuously working for the overseas businesses in SEC 7.2.(a), whether in or out of the UK, from the start of the 12 months to the date of application; and
2. (b) any breaks in the continuous work in SEC 7.3.(a) were only for the following reasons:
  1. (i) statutory maternity, paternity, parental, or shared parental leave; or
  2. (ii) statutory adoption leave; or
  3. (iii) sick leave; or
  4. (iv) assisting with a national or international humanitarian or environmental crisis, with the agreement of the overseas business in SEC 7.2.(a); or
  5. (v) taking part in legally organised industrial action; or
  6. (vi) jury service; or
  7. (vii) attending court as a witness.

Genuineness requirement for a Secondment Worker

SEC 7A.1. The applicant must:
1. (a) genuinely intend, and be able, to undertake the role for which they are being sponsored; and
2. (b) not intend to undertake employment other than in the role for which they are being sponsored, or as otherwise permitted by SEC 11.1.

Financial requirement for a Secondment Worker

SEC 8.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

SEC 8.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance or has been living in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application either:
1. (a) the applicant must have funds of at least £1,270; or
2. (b) the applicant’s A-rated sponsor must confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will, if it is necessary, maintain and accommodate the applicant up to the end of the first month of their employment to an amount of at least £1,270.

SEC 8.3. If SEC 8.2.(a) applies, the applicant must show that they have held the required level of funds for a 28-day period and as set out in Appendix Finance.

Maximum length of assignments requirement for a Secondment Worker

SEC 9.1. The grant of permission must not lead to the applicant being granted cumulative periods of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and the Intra-Company routes totalling more than 5 years in any 6-year period.

SEC 9.2. When calculating the cumulative periods of permission referred to in SEC 9.1. and SEC 11.2.(d), the decision maker will include the following:
1. (a) all previous periods of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes; and
2. (b) all previous periods of permission on the Intra-Company routes; and
3. (c) if the applicant does not currently hold permission on a Global Business Mobility route, any permission they could be granted under this application, beginning on the start date of the job stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship; and
4. (d) if the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has or last had permission on the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission they could be granted under this application, beginning on the date of decision; and
5. (e) any period of permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and the Intra-Company routes extended under section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971.

Decision on an application as a Secondment Worker

SEC 10.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements for a Secondment Worker on the Global Business Mobility route are met the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

SEC 10.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant as a Secondment Worker

SEC 11.1. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) the only work permitted is:
  1. (i) the job for which the applicant is being sponsored; and
  2. (ii) voluntary work; and
  3. (iii) working out a contractual notice period, where the applicant was lawfully working in that job in the UK on the date of application; and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED
SEC 11.2. Permission will be granted for a period which is the shortest of the following:
1. (a) 1 year after the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
2. (b) 14 days after the end date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
3. (c) the date at which the applicant will have had a continuous permission as a Secondment Worker totalling 2 years.
4. (d) the date at which the applicant will have had cumulative permission on the Global Business Mobility routes and Intra-Company routes totalling 5 years in any 6-year period.

SEC 11.3. If the applicant does not currently hold permission on the Global Business Mobility routes, any permission granted for the period between the date of decision and the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship will be excluded from the cumulative permission for the purpose of determining the period of grant of permission under SEC 11.2. (but not from the cumulative period in SEC 9.2.).

Dependant Partner (“partner”) and dependent child (“child”) of a Secondment Worker

Validity requirements for a partner or child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 12.1. A person applying for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a Secondment Worker must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form as follows:

Applicant	Specified form
Applicants outside the UK	Dependant partner visa Dependant child visa
Applicants inside the UK	Dependant partner Dependant child

SEC 12.2. An application for entry clearance or permission to stay as a partner or child of a Secondment Worker must meet all the following requirements:
(a) any fee and Immigration Health Charge must have been paid; and
(b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and
(c) the applicant must have provided either a passport or other travel document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality; and
(d) the applicant must be applying as partner or child of a person who:
1. (i) has made a valid application for entry clearance or permission to stay on the Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker route that has not been decided; or
2. (ii) has entry clearance or permission to stay on the Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker route.

SEC 12.3. A person applying as a partner must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

SEC 12.4. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must be in the UK on the date of application.
SEC 12.4ZA. If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not have, or have last been granted, permission:
1. (a) as a Visitor; or
2. (b) as a Short-term Student; or
3. (c) as a Parent of a Child Student; or
4. (d) as a Seasonal Worker; or
5. (e) as a Domestic Worker in a Private Household; or
6. (f) outside the Immigration Rules.

SEC 12.4A. An applicant who is applying for permission to stay and has, or last had, permission as a Student, must fulfil one of the Conditions A or B below on the date of application:
1. (a) Condition A: the applicant must have completed the course of study for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies was assigned (or a course to which ST 27.3 of Appendix Student applies); or
2. (b) Condition B: the applicant must:
  1. (i) be studying a full-time course of study leading to the award of a PhD with a higher education provider which has a track record of compliance; and
  2. (ii) have completed at least 24 months of study on that course.

SEC 12.5. An application which does not meet all the validity requirements for a partner or child of a Secondment Worker may be rejected as invalid and not considered.

Suitability requirements for a partner or child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 13.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.

SEC 13.2. If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
1. (a) in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
2. (b) on immigration bail.

Eligibility requirements for a partner or child of a Secondment Worker

Entry requirement for a partner or child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 14.1. A person seeking to come to the UK as a partner or child must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a partner or child of a Secondment Worker before they arrive in the UK.

SEC 14.2. A person applying for entry clearance as the partner or child of a Secondment Worker must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

Relationship requirement for a partner of a Secondment Worker

SEC 15.1. The applicant must be the partner of a person (P) where one of the following applies:
1. (a) P has permission on the Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker route; or
2. (b) P is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission on the Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker route.

SEC 15.2. The requirements of Appendix Relationship with Partner must be met.

SEC 15.3. DELETED

SEC 15.4. DELETED

Relationship requirement for a child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 16.1. DELETED.
SEC 16.2. DELETED.

SEC 16.3. DELETED.

Care requirement for a child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 17.1. DELETED.

Age requirement for a child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 18.1. DELETED.

SEC 18.2. DELETED.

Requirements for a dependent child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 18A.1. The applicant must meet the following requirements for a dependent child in Appendix Children:
1. (a) relationship requirement: entry clearance and permission to stay; and
2. (b) care requirement; and
3. (c) age and independent life requirement.

Financial requirement for a partner or child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 19.1. If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been living in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.

SEC 19.2. If the applicant is applying for entry clearance, or is applying for permission to stay and has not been in the UK for 12 months on the date of application, either:
1. (a) funds of at least the amount required in SEC 19.3 must be held collectively by one or more of the following:
  1. (i) the applicant; and
  2. (ii) the Secondment Worker (P); and
  3. (iii) if the applicant is applying as a child, their parent who is lawfully present in the UK or being granted entry clearance, or permission to stay, at the same time; or
2. (b) the sponsor of P must confirm on the Certificate of Sponsorship that they will, if necessary, maintain and accommodate the partner and/or any child as well as P, up to the end of the first month of each of their permission, up to at least the amounts in SEC 19.3.
SEC 19.3. The required funds are:
1. (a) £285 for a partner in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
2. (b) £315 for the first child in the UK or applying for entry clearance; and
3. (c) £200 for any other child in the UK or applying for entry clearance.

SEC 19.4. If SEC 19.2.(a) applies, the funds held must be held in addition to any funds required for the Secondment Worker to meet the financial requirement and the funds required for any dependants in the UK or applying at the same time.

SEC 19.5. If SEC 19.2.(a) applies, the funds must have been held for a 28-day period and as specified in Appendix Finance.

Decision on an application as a partner and child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 20.1. If the decision maker is satisfied that all the suitability and eligibility requirements are met for a partner or child of a Secondment Worker the application will be granted, otherwise the application will be refused.

SEC 20.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review under Appendix AR: Administrative Review.

Period and conditions of grant for a partner or child of a Secondment Worker

SEC 21.1. A partner will be granted permission which ends on the same date as the person (P) who is their partner and has permission as a Secondment Worker.

SEC 21.2. A child will be granted permission which ends on the same date as whichever of their parents’ permission ends first.

SEC 21.3. The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:
1. (a) no access to public funds; and
2. (b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted; except for employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
3. (c) study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.
4. (d) DELETED

Cookies on GOV.UK

Immigration Rules Appendix Global Business Mobility routes

Appendix Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker

Validity requirements for Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker (“Senior or Specialist Worker”)

Suitability requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Eligibility requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Entry requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Points requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Points for Sponsorship for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Points for job at appropriate skill level for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Transitional arrangements for job at appropriate skill level for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Points for salary for a Senior or Specialist Worker

General salary requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Going rate requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Genuineness requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Financial requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Maximum length of assignments requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker

Transitional arrangements for maximum length of assignments as a Senior or Specialist Worker

Decision on an application as a Senior or Specialist Worker

Period and conditions of grant as a Senior or Specialist Worker

Transitional arrangements for period of grant as a Senior or Specialist Worker

Dependent Partner (“partner”) and dependent child (“child”) of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Validity requirements for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Suitability requirements for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Eligibility requirements for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Entry requirement for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Relationship requirement for a partner of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Relationship requirement for a child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Care requirement for a child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Age requirement for a child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Requirements for a dependent child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Financial requirement for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Decision on an application as a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Period of grant and conditions for a partner or child of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Appendix Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee

Validity requirements for a Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee (“Graduate Trainee”)

Suitability requirements for a Graduate Trainee

Eligibility requirements for a Graduate Trainee

Entry requirements for a Graduate Trainee

Points requirement for a Graduate Trainee

Points for Sponsorship for a Graduate Trainee

Points for job at appropriate skill level for a Graduate Trainee

Points for salary for a Graduate Trainee

General salary requirement for a Graduate Trainee

Going rate requirement for a Graduate Trainee

Genuineness requirement for a Graduate Trainee

Financial requirement for a Graduate Trainee

Maximum length of assignments requirement for a Graduate Trainee

Decision on an application as a Graduate Trainee

Period and conditions of grant as a Graduate Trainee

Dependent Partner (“partner”) or dependent child (“child”) of a Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee

Validity requirements for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

Suitability requirements for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

Eligibility requirements for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

Entry requirement for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

Relationship requirement for a partner of a Graduate Trainee

Relationship requirement for a child of a Graduate Trainee

Care requirement for a child of a Graduate Trainee

Age requirement for a child of a Graduate Trainee

Requirements for a dependent child of a Graduate Trainee

Financial requirement for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

Decision on an application as a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

Period and conditions of grant for a partner or child of a Graduate Trainee

Appendix Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker

Validity requirements for a Global Business Mobility - UK Expansion Worker (“UK Expansion Worker”)

Suitability requirements for a UK Expansion Worker

Eligibility requirements for a UK Expansion Worker

Entry requirements for a UK Expansion Worker

Points requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

Points for Sponsorship for a UK Expansion Worker

Points for job at appropriate skill level for a UK Expansion Worker

Points for salary for a UK Expansion Worker

General salary requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

Going rate requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

Genuineness requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

Financial requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

Maximum length of assignments requirement for a UK Expansion Worker

Decision on an application as a UK Expansion Worker

Period and conditions of grant as a UK Expansion Worker

Dependent Partner (partner”) and dependent child (“child”) of a UK Expansion Worker