If you need to relocate staff
from an overseas business to the UK, whether to set up or work in a branch or subsidiary, as part of a graduate training programme or secondment, to work on an important contract, or for any other reason, we are here to help. Our business immigration law experts based in the heart of the City of London can handle all aspects of your employer sponsor licence and Global Business Mobility Scheme visa.
Each of the five Global Business Mobility Scheme visas has its own unique and subtle requirements, both from the perspective of the employer and employee, which must be fully understood when making an application to the UK Home Office. At Fairhill Lawyers, we offer a level of personal service that will ensure that your international immigration relocation needs are met the first time.
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Our team is business savvy, friendly, and can provide a cost-free initial assessment of your case without any obligation. To speak with one of our lawyers, please call
Why Choose Us?
- Unrivalled knowledge in immigration law – we have a deep understanding of business immigration law and UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) policies and procedures.
- Personal attention – a senior caseworker will work with you at every stage of your business immigration matter. They will take the time to understand your business and find solutions to any challenges you face concerning recruiting foreign talent.
- Practical, up-to-date advice – immigration law is often complex and in a constant state of change. You can rely on us to advise you in plain English and help you meet your compliance obligations.
- Swift results – we understand that your business needs solutions to immigration law matters quickly. As a small team, we are extremely agile and able to work quickly and creatively to get the outcome you want.
- Friendliness and availability – we work with businesses and skilled workers long-term and pride ourselves on being approachable, personable, and caring. We are committed to helping our clients succeed and will do what is required to move things forward. Our team value clients’ time: you can trust that your phone calls and emails will be promptly returned.
FAQ
The Global Business Mobility scheme is not one visa, rather it is made up of 5 separate visas, all of which are designed to help overseas businesses operate in the UK, as follows:
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa enables staff members of overseas businesses to transfer to work in a UK branch of their employer. This visa replaced the old Intra-company Transfer (ICT) visa. Employers using this scheme must have a sponsor licence and issue a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ to the visa applicant. In addition, applicants must:
- Have a job on the list of eligible occupations, and
- Have a salary of at least £48,500 per year
Senior or Specialist Worker visa holders can stay for whichever is shorter of the time given on their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days or 5 years. The rules also state that the maximum total stay on a Senior and Specialist Worker visa is:
- 5 years in any 6-year period if paid less than £73,900 a year
- 9 years in any 10-year period if paid £73,900 a year or more
It is important to consider that this visa does not provide a direct route to permanent settlement in the UK. If this is your intention, please speak to a member of our immigration law team for the most suitable alternative visa route for your needs.
The UK Graduate Trainee visa enables employees of overseas businesses on a graduate training programme to transfer to work in a UK branch. This visa replaced the old Intra-company Transfer (ICT) graduate trainee visa visa. The employer must have a sponsor licence and have issued a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ to the visa applicant. In addition, applicants must have:
- Worked for their overseas employer for at least 3 months
- A job on the list of eligible occupations, and
- A salary of at least £25,410 per year or 70% of the ‘going rate’ for the job – whichever is higher.
Graduate visa holders can stay for whichever is shorter of the time given on their certificate of sponsorship, plus 14 days or 12 months.
The Graduate Trainee Visa does not provide a direct route to permanent settlement in the UK. If this is your intention, please speak to a member of our immigration law team for the most suitable visa route for your needs.
A UK Secondment Worker visa enables a staff member of an overseas business to be seconded to the UK to work on a high-value contract. The UK-based business must have a sponsor licence and have issued a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ to the visa applicant. In addition, applicants must:
- Have worked for their overseas employer for at least 12 months, and
- Have a job on the list of eligible occupations.
Secondment visa holders can stay for whichever is shorter of the time given on their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days or 12 months.
The Secondment Worker Visa does not provide a direct route to permanent settlement in the UK. If you plan to settle in the UK, please speak to a member of our immigration law team for the most suitable visa route for your needs.
A UK Service Supplier Worker visa is available to overseas nationals who provide services to UK businesses, either as an employee of an overseas business or as someone who is self-employed. Applicants must be:
- be providing a service to a UK business under a contract that is covered by a valid international trade agreement
- be doing an eligible job
- have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from the UK business
- have worked for their overseas employer for at least 12 months, or have at least 12 months’ professional experience if self-employed
Service supplier visa holders can stay for whichever is shorter of the time given on their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days or 6 or 12 months (depending on the applicable trade agreement).
The Service Supplier Visa does not provide a direct route to permanent settlement in the UK. If you plan to settle in the UK, please speak to a member of our immigration law team for the most suitable visa route for your needs.
A UK Expansion Worker visa enables an overseas worker to come to the UK to set up a new branch or subsidiary in the UK. Applicants must have:
- An eligible job
- A ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from the UK business
- Have worked for their overseas employer for at least 12 months
- A salary of at least £48,500 per year or the ‘going rate’ for their job – whichever is higher.
Expansion Worker visa holders can stay for whichever is shorter of the time given on their certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days or 12 months.
The Expansion Worker Visa does not provide a direct route to permanent settlement in the UK. If you plan to settle in the UK, please speak to a member of our immigration law team for the most suitable visa route for your needs.