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Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
A Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job at your employer’s UK branch.
This visa has replaced the Intra-company Transfer visa, previously the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK with a Senior or Specialist Worker visa for whichever is shorter of:
- the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
- 5 years
You can apply to extend your visa or apply for another one as many times as you like up to the maximum total stay.
The maximum total stay allowed for a Senior and Specialist Worker visa is:
- 5 years in any 6 year period if you’re paid less than £73,900 a year
- 9 years in any 10 year period if you’re paid £73,900 a year or more
Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
Extend your visa
You can usually apply to extend your Senior or Specialist Worker visa from inside the UK if all of the following are true:
- you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
- your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
- you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
- you have not reached the maximum total stay
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Update your visa if your job changes
You’ll need to apply to update your Senior or Specialist Worker visa if your job changes to a different occupation code.
You must have the same employer or be employed by an organisation that is owned by your employer.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
If you previously had an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa
The following occupation codes have been removed from the list of eligible occupations for this visa:
- 3411: Artists
- 3412: Authors, writers and translators
- 3413: Actors, entertainers and presenters
- 3414: Dancers and choreographers
- 3422: Product, clothing and related designers
You cannot change jobs if both are true:
- you’re sponsored to do a job with one of these occupation codes
- you want to continue working in a job with one of these occupation codes
If you want to change your job and work in one of the occupations above, you may be eligible for a different UK visa.
If you do not want to continue working in one of the occupations in the table, you can apply to update your visa. Your new job must be on the list of eligible occupations.
Switch to a Senior or Specialist Worker visa
You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Senior or Specialist Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements.
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Switching from a Student visa
If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following must apply:
- you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
- your job start date is after your course has finished
- you have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months
Who cannot apply to switch
You cannot apply to switch to a Senior or Specialist Worker visa if you’re currently in the UK:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
You must leave the UK and apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Overseas Domestic Worker visa
You can apply for a visa to visit the UK with your employer if you:
- live outside the UK
- are a domestic worker in a private household
- have worked for your employer for at least one year
- meet the other eligibility requirements
Domestic workers include:
- cleaners
- chauffeurs
- cooks
- those providing personal care for the employer and their family
- nannies
How long you can stay
You can use this visa to visit the UK with your employer for up to 6 months. You must return home at the end of the 6 months.
You cannot extend an Overseas Domestic Worker visa.
You may be able to extend a Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa if you applied on or before 5 April 2012.
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- travel abroad and return to the UK to complete your stay
- change employers to another job as a domestic worker in a private household – only if you do not stay longer than the 6 months
You cannot:
- work except as a domestic worker in a private household
- live in the UK for long periods of time through frequent visits
- get public funds
How long it will take
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Extend or settle if you applied before 5 April 2012
There are different rules if you applied for a Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa on or before 5 April 2012.
You can:
- extend your stay in the UK every 12 months
- apply to settle permanently in the UK after 5 years
- bring your partner and children under 18
- change employer while your visa is valid
How long you can stay
You can apply to extend your visa for 12 months at a time.
If you’ve worked in the UK as a domestic worker for 5 years you can apply to settle permanently in the UK.
You should apply before your current permission to stay expires.
How to extend your visa
You must apply online to extend your visa.
You can include your dependants (partner and children aged under 18) on your application.
If you have any dependant children aged over 18 they will need to apply separately.
How to apply to settle
You must apply online to settle.
You can include your dependants (partner and children aged under 18) on your application. Your partner must be able to demonstrate their knowledge of English and life in the UK.
If you have any dependant children aged over 18 they will need to apply separately.
Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
A Graduate Trainee visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to work for your employer in their UK branch.
Your job must be eligible and part of a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role.
This visa has replaced the Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa, previously Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Graduate Trainee visa.
If you’re not on a graduate training programme, you may still be able to work for your employer’s UK branch with a Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for a Graduate Trainee visa.
Check which documents you’ll need to apply.
You do not need to apply again if you have a Graduate Trainee visa and your job changes as part of your graduate training programme. Your employer will notify UK Visas and Immigration.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
A dependant partner or child is any of the following:
- your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- your child under 18 – including if they were born in the UK during your stay
- your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant
You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship to your dependant when you apply.
Switch to this visa
You cannot apply to change (‘switch’) to a Graduate Trainee visa from inside the UK because you need to have worked for your employer overseas for 3 months immediately before you apply.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
Apply for this visa if your overseas employer is transferring you to the UK to do an eligible job for a different organisation.
Your overseas employer must have a high-value contract with the UK organisation.
Your employer will tell you if their contract makes you eligible for a Secondment Worker visa.
Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for a Secondment Worker Visa.
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK with a Secondment Worker visa for whichever is shorter of:
- 12 months after the start date of the job detailed in your certificate of sponsorship
- the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
If you want to stay longer in the UK, you can extend your visa by 12 months. The maximum time you can stay in the UK on a Secondment Worker visa is 2 years.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your Secondment Worker visa from inside the UK if all of the following are true:
- you’re still working for the UK sponsor who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
- you’re still working on the same contract that your employer has with your sponsor
- you have not reached the maximum total stay
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
You must be in the UK to extend your visa.
Update your visa if your job changes
You’ll need to apply to update your Secondment Worker visa if your job changes to a different occupation code. You must still have the same sponsor.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Switch to this visa
You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Secondment Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements.
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Switching from a Student visa
If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must meet the eligibility requirements and one of the following must apply:
- you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
- your job start date is after your course has finished
- you have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months
Who cannot apply to switch
You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example – on compassionate grounds
You must leave the UK and apply for a Secondment Worker visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision
Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
You can apply for a Service Supplier visa if you have a contract to provide services for a UK company, either as:
- an employee for an overseas company
- a self-employed professional based overseas
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Service Supplier visa, you must:
- be an employee of an overseas business, or a self-employed service provider based overseas
- be providing a service to a UK business under a contract that is covered by a valid international trade agreement
- be doing an eligible job – if your job is not eligible you may still qualify if you have relevant qualifications and experience
- have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your UK sponsor with information about the work you’ll be doing in the UK
- have worked for your employer for at least 12 months outside the UK, or have at least 12 months’ professional experience if you’re a self-employed service provider
The specific eligibility depends on your job.
How long you can stay
How long you can stay in the UK depends on the type of trade agreement you’re providing services under.
You can stay for whichever is the shorter of:
- 6 months or 12 months – this depends on the trade agreement you’re providing services under
- the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
The maximum you can stay on a Service Supplier visa is 6 or 12 months depending on the type of trade agreement you’re providing services under.
If you’ve spent time in the UK on a Service Supplier visa or another visa before
You can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period if you’ve spent time on any of these visas:
- Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
- Intra-company Transfer visa
- Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
- UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for a Service Supplier visa.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your Service Supplier visa if:
- you’re still contracted to work for the sponsor who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
- you have not reached the maximum total stay
- your job, qualifications and experience still meet the eligibility requirements
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
You must be in the UK to extend your visa.
Update your visa if your job changes
You’ll need to apply to update your Service Supplier visa if your job changes to a different occupation code. You must still be contracted to work for the sponsor who issued your current certificate of sponsorship.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Switch to this visa
You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Service Supplier visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements.
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Switching from a Student visa
If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must meet the eligibility requirements and one of the following must apply:
- you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
- your job start date is after your course has finished
- you have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months
Who cannot apply to switch
You cannot apply to switch to a Service Supplier visa if you’re currently in the UK:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
You must leave the UK and apply for a Service Supplier visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision
UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
A UK Expansion Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet.
You must already work for the overseas business as either a senior manager or specialist employee.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa you need to:
- have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer
- have worked for your employer outside the UK
- do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
- be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job
How long you can stay in the UK
You can stay in the UK with a UK Expansion Worker visa for whichever is shorter of:
- 12 months after the start date of the job on your certificate of sponsorship
- the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
If you want to stay longer in the UK, you can extend your visa by 12 months. The maximum time you can stay in the UK on a UK Expansion Worker visa is 2 years.
If you’ve spent time in the UK on this or another visa, you might not be able to stay on a UK Expansion Worker visa for as long. You can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period if you’ve spent time on any of these visas:
- Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
- Intra-company Transfer visa
- Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
- UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your UK Expansion Worker visa if all the following are true:
- you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
- your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
- you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
- you have not reached the maximum total stay
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
You must be in the UK to extend your visa.
Update your visa if your job changes
You’ll need to apply to update your UK Expansion Worker visa if your job changes to a different occupation code. You must still have the same employer.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
When to apply to update your visa
You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.
You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered – as long as you apply before your current visa expires.
You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Switch to this visa
You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a UK Expansion Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements.
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Switching from a Student visa
If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must meet the eligibility requirements and one of the following must apply:
- you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
- your job start date is after your course has finished
- you have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months
Who cannot apply to switch
You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Representative of an Overseas Business visa
You can apply as a representative of an overseas business if you’re an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK.
You must also meet the other eligibility requirements.
If you’re already in the UK as a sole representative, you can still apply to extend your stay.
Your partner and children
Your family members (‘dependants’) can come with you when you come to the UK on this visa.
A ‘dependant’ is any of the following:
- your husband, wife or partner
- your child under 18
If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your stay in the UK under a Representative of an Overseas Business visa. You must apply before your current visa expires.
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Switch to this visa
You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Representative of an Overseas Business visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa.
Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.
They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
How long you can stay
A Representative of an Overseas Business visa can be extended for up to 2 years after the original visa duration of 3 years.
Your visa can be extended for 3 years if your previous Representative of an Overseas Business visa was issued before 1 October 2009.
You can apply to settle once you have been in the UK for 5 years and you have an ongoing job with the same company.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
You may be eligible for or have rights in any of the above categories depending on your visa status or circumstances.
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