The UK's Global Business Mobility Visa Explained

In its latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC1118), published on 15 March 2022, the Home Office has introduced several new business immigration routes, including the High Potential Individual (HPI) route, the Scale-up route, and the new Global Business Mobility routes.

At Worldwide Immigration, we understand the complexities and challenges involved in managing your immigration needs. Our mission is to provide justice, fairness, and respect for the law while helping you navigate these new changes.

In this article, we explore each of the new Global Business Mobility routes in detail, focusing on their suitability, the main requirements, duration of stay, and work rights of visa holders.

Global Business Mobility Routes

These routes are designed for overseas businesses looking to establish a presence in the UK or transfer staff for specific business purposes. The routes will be open to new applicants from 11 April 2022.

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

• Suitability: Senior managers and specialist employees on temporary assignments.

• Requirements: Must work for a business linked to the UK sponsor. Must have worked outside the UK for at least 12 months (exceptions for high earners).

• Duration: Maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if paid less than £73,900 annually; 9 years in any 10-year period if paid more than £73,900 annually.

Graduate Trainee Visa

• Suitability: Overseas workers on a graduate training course leading to senior managerial or specialist roles.

• Requirements: Must work for a business linked to the UK sponsor. Must have worked outside the UK for at least 3 months.

• Duration: Either 1 year, the time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, or cumulative permission totalling 5 years in a 6-year period.

UK Expansion Worker Visa

• Suitability: Senior managers and specialist employees on assignments related to business expansion in the UK.

• Requirements: Must work for a business linked to the UK sponsor. 12 months outside the UK requirement (exceptions apply).

• Duration: Either 1 year, the time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, or cumulative permission totalling 5 years in a 6-year period.

Secondment Worker Visa

• Suitability: Overseas workers on high-value contracts or investments.

• Requirements: Must work for an overseas business with a UK contract. Must have worked outside the UK for at least 12 months.

• Duration: Either 1 year, the time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, or cumulative permission totalling 5 years in a 6-year period.

Service Supplier Visa

• Suitability: Contractual service suppliers or self-employed professionals providing services under UK’s trade commitments.

• Requirements: Must work for an overseas service provider. 12 months working outside the UK requirement.

• Duration: Time on Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, or maximum single assignment period (6-12 months), cumulative permission totalling 5 years in 6-year period.

Settlement on the Global Business Mobility Visa Route

These routes will not lead directly to settlement. However, Global Business Mobility visa holders may switch to other routes leading to settlement.

The main work and business routes for achieving settlement are:

• Skilled Worker Route
• Scale-up Route
• Start-up and Innovator Route

How We Can Help

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