Overview

The Global Business Mobility (GMB) routes are designed for overseas businesses seeking to establish or expand their presence in the UK, transfer key staff, or deliver specialised services under trade agreements.

This immigration framework allows international companies to send employees to the UK temporarily for specific business purposes such as opening a branch, fulfilling contracts, or transferring senior personnel.

The GMB category consolidates several previous routes — including the Intra-Company Transfer, Sole Representative, and Service Supplier Visas — into a single, modern system that aligns with the UK’s business and trade objectives.

Visa Duration and Extension

The permitted stay depends on the specific GMB route:

• Senior or Specialist Worker – For senior managers or specialists transferring to a UK branch or subsidiary.

  • Maximum stay: up to 5 years in any 6-year period (or 9 years for high earners earning £73,900 or more).

  • Extensions allowed within this overall cap.

• Graduate Trainee – For employees undertaking a structured graduate training programme leading to a specialist or managerial role.

  • Maximum stay: up to 12 months, or the duration of the training programme, whichever is shorter.

  • Not extendable beyond 12 months.

• UK Expansion Worker – For senior or specialist employees coming to the UK to establish a new branch or subsidiary.

  • Granted for up to 12 months initially, extendable to a maximum of 24 months.

  • Time spent under this route counts towards the 5-year cap on combined GBM permissions.

• Service Supplier – For overseas professionals providing services in the UK under a contract covered by an eligible international trade agreement.

  • Granted for up to 12 months or the duration of the service contract, whichever is shorter.

  • Not extendable beyond 12 months in total.

• Secondment Worker – For employees seconded to a UK business as part of a high-value contract or investment.

  • Granted for up to 12 months, renewable once for a total maximum of 24 months.

All GMB routes are temporary and do not lead directly to settlement (ILR). However, applicants may later switch to a visa that provides a path to permanent residence, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, if they meet the relevant criteria.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify under one of the Global Business Mobility routes, applicants must generally:

• Be 18 years or older.

• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by a licensed UK sponsor.

• Work for an eligible overseas business that has a qualifying link or contract with the UK sponsor (depending on the route).

• Meet the skill level and salary thresholds applicable to the chosen sub-route.

• Show evidence of ongoing overseas employment with the sponsoring business (required for most routes).

• Demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK (unless maintenance is certified by the sponsor).

• Satisfy any route-specific conditions, e.g. Graduate Trainees must have worked for the overseas employer for at least 3 months prior to applying, while UK Expansion Workers must hold a senior or specialist position.

Documents Required

• Valid passport or travel document.

• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number issued by the UK sponsor.

• Evidence of employment with the overseas business.

• Proof of maintenance funds (if not certified by the employer).

• Proof of relationship for dependants (if applicable).

• Tuberculosis test results (if required).

• Certified translations for any non-English or non-Welsh documents.

Additional documentation may be required depending on the sub-route and role.

What You Can and Cannot Do

You can:

• Work for your sponsoring UK employer in the role described in your CoS.

• Undertake limited supplementary work, if permitted.

• Study while in the UK, provided it does not interfere with your sponsored role.

• Bring eligible dependants (partner and children) to live with you.

• Travel freely in and out of the UK during your visa validity.

You cannot:

• Change employers without obtaining a new CoS and visa.

• Access public funds or benefits.

• Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) directly under the GMB route.

• Take on employment outside the scope of your sponsorship.

Processing Times and Priority Service

• Outside the UK: around 3 weeks after biometrics submission.

• Inside the UK (switching or extension): approximately 8 weeks.

• Priority (5-day) and Super Priority (24-hour) services may be available for an additional fee, depending on location.

Home Office Fees

• Visa Application Fee: £298 per applicant (across most GMB routes).

• Certificate of Sponsorship Fee (employer): £239.

• Immigration Skills Charge (employer): £364 to £1,000 per worker per year (depending on business size).

• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per person per year.

• Fees are correct as of October 2025 and may change. The employer is usually responsible for sponsorship-related fees.