Businessman with city background
Sanwar Ali workpermit.com
Businessman with city background
Sanwar Ali workpermit.com
Comprehensive Guide to Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: Global Business Mobility Scheme
The Global Business Mobility Visa Scheme offers a senior or specialist worker visa for skilled employees looking to undertake a temporary work assignment in the UK after being transferred to the UK on an intra-company transfer. This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of the senior or specialist worker visa, including requirements, application fees, sponsor licence application, and extension.
- Introduction to Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
- Requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
- Visa Application Fees and Immigration Health Surcharge
- Sponsor Licence and Associated Costs
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement
- Genuine Job Requirement and Job Skill Level
- Salary Requirements and Immigration Skills Charge
- Financial and English Language Requirements
- Duration and Extension of Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
- Settlement and Dependants
- How Workpermit.com Can Help with Sponsor Licences
1. Introduction to Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
The Global Business Mobility - Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is designed for senior managers and specialist employees who wish to undertake a temporary work assignment in the UK. The overseas worker must be assigned to a UK business linked to their employer overseas, also known as an intra-company transfer. This visa does not lead directly to settlement in the UK; however, applicants may be able to switch into another immigration route that does lead to settlement such as a Skilled Worker visa with an employer with a sponsor licence. Applicants may be joined or accompanied by a partner and dependent children.
2. Requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
To qualify for a Global Business Mobility - Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
- Aged 18 or over
- Currently working for a business or organisation linked to the UK sponsor by common ownership or control, or by a joint venture on which the applicant is sponsored to work
- Have worked outside the UK for the linked business or organisation for a cumulative period of at least 12 months, unless the applicant is a high earner earning £73,900 per year or more
- Possess a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the UK sponsor for the job the applicant is planning to do
- The job the applicant is planning to do is genuine
- The job is skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent). However, the applicant does not need to have a degree.
- The applicant's salary will be equal to or exceed both £45,800 per year and the 'going rate' for the job
- The UK sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge
- The applicant has enough money to support themselves without relying on public funds
- The applicant has provided a valid TB certificate, if required
3. Visa Application Fees and Immigration Health Surcharge
When applying for a senior or specialist worker visa, applicants must pay an application. There is also the annual immigration health surcharge usually required for each applicant. If the applicant leaves the job during the period of leave a refund is made on a pro rata basis. The fees are as follows:
- For applications from outside the UK: £625 for up to 3 years' leave and £1,235 for more than 3 years
- For applications from inside the UK to extend a visa or switch into this route: £719 for up to 3 years' leave and £1,423 for more than 3 years
- The healthcare surcharge is set at £624 for every year that the applicant is granted leave
4. Sponsor Licence and Associated Costs
A sponsor licence is required for sponsoring senior or specialist workers. The costs associated with obtaining a sponsor licence include the application fee and, if required, the priority service fee. The Immigration Skills Charge will usually need to be paid for each applicant.
The sponsor licence application fee depends on the size and status of the organisation:
- For small or charitable sponsors: £536
- For medium or large sponsors: £1,476
A sponsor is considered small if at least two of the following apply:
- Annual turnover is £10.2 million or less
- Total assets are worth £5.1 million or less
- The organisation has 50 employees or fewer
The Immigration Skills Charge is based on the size and status of the organisation, as well as the duration of the senior or specialist worker's stay in the UK. The fees are as follows:
- For small or charitable sponsors: £364 for the first 12 months, plus £182 for every additional 6-month period
- For medium or large sponsors: £1,000 for the first 12 months, plus £500 for every extra 6 months
The sponsor must pay the Immigration Skills Charge in full for the applicant to be eligible for a senior or specialist worker visa. Additionally, there is a fee of £199 for issuing the certificate of sponsorship for each applicant.
5. Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement
A valid Certificate of Sponsorship is required for obtaining a senior or specialist worker visa. The certificate must be issued by an employer authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a senior or specialist worker. The sponsor must be A-rated on the Home Office's register of licensed sponsors and have issued the certificate no more than three months before the visa application date.
6. Genuine Job Requirement and Job Skill Level
The applicant must be sponsored for a genuine job, and the Home Office must be satisfied that the job is not a sham or created mainly for the applicant to obtain a senior or specialist worker visa. The job must also be skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent). The Home Office has published a list of eligible jobs for the Global Business Mobility routes.
7. Salary Requirements and Immigration Skills Charge
Employers must pay their senior or specialist workers a salary that equals or exceeds both a general salary requirement and the 'going rate' for the occupation. The general salary requirement is £45,800 per year, and the going rates for eligible occupations are published by the Home Office. The Immigration Skills Charge is a fee for each foreign worker that a sponsoring employer seeks to employ and must be paid when the employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship to a migrant.
8. Financial and English Language Requirements
In most cases the sponsor certifies the applicant's maintenance costs up to the end of the first month of employment, to an amount of at least £1,270. Otherwise, applicants must have at least £1,270 in cash funds available, held for at least 28 consecutive days ending no more than 31 days before the visa application date. Senior or specialist worker visa applicants do not need to satisfy an English language requirement.
9. Duration and Extension of Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
The senior or specialist worker visa is granted for either the time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days or a period of 5 years, whichever is shorter. The visa can be extended up to a maximum period of:
- 5 years in any 6-year period if paid less than £73,900 per year
- 9 years in any 10-year period if paid £73,900 or more per year
10. Settlement and Dependants
The senior or specialist worker visa does not lead directly to settlement in the UK, but applicants may switch into another immigration route that does, such as the skilled worker visa or the innovator founder route. Dependent partners over the age of 18 and dependent children under the age of 18 can join or accompany the senior or specialist worker visa holder.
11. How Workpermit.com Can Help with Sponsor Licences
If you need help with employing Skilled Workers and help to apply for a Sponsor Licence, including complying with your Sponsor Licence obligations, Workpermit.com can help.
For more information and advice, please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com(link sends e-mail)
