Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

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Extend your visa

You can usually apply to extend your Senior or Specialist Worker visa from inside the UK if all of the following are true:

  • you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
  • your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
  • you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
  • you have not reached the maximum total stay

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

If you previously an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa

There are different rules if you want to extend your visa and you previously had an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.

If you’re an artist, author, actor, dancer or designer

The following occupation codes have been removed from the list of eligible occupations for this visa:

  • 3411: Artists
  • 3412: Authors, writers and translators
  • 3413: Actors, entertainers and presenters
  • 3414: Dancers and choreographers
  • 3422: Product, clothing and related designers

If you’re already sponsored to do a job with one of these occupation codes, you can extend your visa if you are working in the exact same job.

You cannot:

  • change to another job in the same occupation code
  • change to another job in one of the other occupation codes that have been removed from the list of eligible jobs

Taking on additional work

You can do additional paid work as long as you’re still doing the job you’re being sponsored for.

You can work up to 20 hours a week in a job that’s either:

If your job changes

You’ll need to apply to update your visa.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

  • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to extend your Senior or Specialist Worker visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Apply now

Continue your application

You can sign back in to your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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