The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is a Global Business Mobility route for overseas employees transferring temporarily to a linked UK business. It is used for senior managers and specialist employees carrying out an eligible assignment.

 

At a glance

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Sponsorship: A licensed UK sponsor and a valid CoS are required.

Length of stay: Up to five years per grant, subject to cumulative limits.

English: No route-specific English language requirement.

Settlement: No direct route to settlement.

Dependants: Eligible partners and children may apply.

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Main eligibility requirements

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You must be at least 18, work for the overseas sponsor group and be transferring to a qualifying linked UK business. Your role must have an eligible occupation code, meet the salary requirements and represent a genuine assignment.

Normally, you must have worked outside the UK for the sponsor group for at least 12 months. The minimum overseas employment period does not apply to qualifying high earners paid at least £73,900 a year.

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You must satisfy maintenance and suitability requirements, with TB screening and ATAS clearance where applicable.

 

Salary and maintenance

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The current standard salary threshold is £52,500 a year or the applicable going rate, whichever is higher. The calculation must use the correct working hours and permitted salary components.

 

Limited transitional rules exist for some long-standing intra-company workers.

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You normally need £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days before application. This is generally unnecessary if an eligible sponsor certifies maintenance or you qualify for the in-country exemption after at least 12 months' lawful residence. Additional maintenance may be required for dependants.

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Length of stay and work conditions

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The usual cumulative limit is five years in any six-year period. For qualifying high earners, it is nine years in any ten-year period. Time on other Global Business Mobility and relevant intra-company routes counts towards these limits.

You normally work only in the sponsored assignment. This visa does not itself lead to settlement, although a later switch to another route may be possible if its requirements are met.

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Evidence commonly required

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Passport; CoS; overseas employment records; assignment letter; occupation, salary and hours details; and maintenance, TB, ATAS and family documents where required. The sponsor must also hold evidence of the qualifying business link.

 

Application process

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Confirm the company link and sponsorship, check overseas service and cumulative UK stays, obtain the CoS, then apply online and complete identity checks. Visa fees and the healthcare surcharge normally apply.

 

Common issues

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Overlooking previous GBM residence, using the wrong going rate or treating a client placement as an eligible intra-group assignment can cause problems.

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Frequently asked questions

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Is this the former Intra-company Transfer visa?

It replaced the main Intra-company Transfer route, with specific transitional provisions for existing workers.

 

Does the Skilled Worker B2 English rule apply?

No. This GBM route has no English requirement, but a later switch may introduce one.

How Meridian can help

We can assess the assignment, overseas employment and salary evidence, and advise the employer and worker on sponsorship and application requirements.