The UK Global Mobility visa program provides streamlined pathways for international businesses that need to move their employees to the UK for work purposes.
This program aids business expansion initiatives, allowing companies to easily tap into the UK market and deploy key talent to manage operations, lead projects, and support their business growth in one of the world’s most competitive economies.
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What is the UK Global Mobility Visa Program?
The Global Business Mobility Visa Program is a collection of work visas on the points-based immigration system that allows foreign organisations to send their employees to the UK to undertake specific work assignments.
To participate in this program, the foreign organisation must be approved by the UK Home Office to sponsor overseas workers. Each employee on the program must have worked previously with the company outside the UK for a specific period, usually between 3 and 12 months. Additionally, the employee must have a valid certificate of sponsorship, and the work activity they intend to do must be on the list of eligible occupations.
The Global Business Mobility program is a temporary visa program that doesn’t lead to permanent residency. However, visa holders will be able to study, do voluntary work and have their family members join them during their stay in the UK
The Global Business Mobility Visas
There are five categories of Global Mobility visas, and they include:
- Senior or Specialist worker visa
- Graduate Trainee visa
- UK Expansion worker visa
- Service supplier visa
- Secondment visa
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows highly skilled workers to work in a UK company linked to their overseas organisation. This visa covers senior employees, managers, directors, specialist technicians, and highly trained professionals such as scientists, engineers, and IT experts.
To qualify for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, applicants must be paid a salary of at least £48,500 per year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. Visa holders earning over £73,900 can stay in the UK for up to 9 years, while those earning less can stay for a maximum of 5 years.
Graduate Trainee Visa
The Graduate Trainee visa allows foreign workers on a graduate training program that will lead to a managerial or specialist role to work in a branch or subsidiary of their overseas organisation in the UK. The job must be part of the training program, and the employer must provide training and development opportunities for the applicant while they are in the UK.
Graduate Trainee visa applicants must earn a salary of at least £25,410 annually, or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. This visa is valid for a maximum of 12 months.
UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker visa allows existing overseas businesses that do not already have a presence in the UK to sponsor a senior management or specialist worker to establish a new branch. Applicants for the UK Expansion Worker visa must earn a salary of at least £45,800 per year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher. They will also be allowed to stay in the UK for up to two years.
Service Supplier Visa
The Service Supplier visa is for overseas workers or self-employed independent professionals who want to enter the UK to provide services for a British business under a contract covered by a UK international trade agreement.
This visa is valid for 6 or 12 months, depending on the type of trade agreement or the time given on the certificate of sponsorship, plus 14 days, whichever is shorter
Secondment Worker Visa
The Secondment Worker visa is available for overseas employees who are being transferred to the UK by their employers to work for a UK organisation under a high-value contract or investment worth at least £50 million. The maximum duration of stay on this visa is 12 months.
Documentation Requirements for the Global Mobility Visas
To apply for the UK Global Mobility Visa program, applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- A certificate of sponsorship provided by their employer.
- Their job title and annual salary.
- A bank statement showing proof of sufficient savings of up to £1,270 to support themselves in their first month in the UK.
- Their employer’s name and sponsor licence number
- Proof of qualifications and skills relevant to the job role
- A tuberculosis test result, depending on the applicant’s country of residence.
How to Apply for the Global Business Mobility Visa
You can submit an application for any of the Global Mobility visas online on the UK government website. Here are essential steps to take when making the online application:
- Create an account using your email address
- Complete the online application form
- Upload your supporting documents
- Pay the visa application fee and immigration healthcare surcharge
- Submit your application
- Book a physical appointment at a UK visa application centre in your country of residence.
On the day of your scheduled appointment, you’ll be asked to submit your documents and provide your biometric information (fingerprints and photographs). Afterwards, the immigration authorities will process your application and email you a decision.
The Cost and Processing Times of the Global Business Mobility Visa
The cost of Global Mobility visas varies depending on the specific visa type. The Senior or Specialist Worker visa costs £719 for stays up to 3 years and £1,420 for stays more than three years. Other Global Mobility visas cost £298.
The standard processing time for these visas is three weeks. Priority services are available at an additional cost for applicants who wish to fast-track their application processing.
Conclusion
The UK Global Business Mobility visa program is intended to boost international business collaboration and expansion efforts and make it easier for global companies to send skilled workers to the UK.
Sponsoring organisations intending to take advantage of this visa program should ensure they meet all eligibility requirements, including obtaining a sponsor licence and assigning a certificate of sponsorship to enable their employee to apply for the visa.
