Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence

Bring Your Global Workforce to the UK

We help overseas businesses and multinational organisations sponsor workers under the Global Business Mobility routes, ensuring compliance with UK immigration rules while supporting your international growth plans.

What is a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?
A Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence allows overseas businesses and multinational organisations to sponsor workers for temporary assignments in the UK under approved Global Business Mobility routes.
Supporting International Workforce Mobility

The Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence is designed for overseas businesses that need to transfer employees, establish a UK presence, deliver services under international agreements, or support strategic operations within the United Kingdom.

The licence covers five specialist routes: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker. Each route is tailored to specific business and workforce mobility requirements.

To qualify, organisations must demonstrate a genuine business need, appoint suitable key personnel, establish the required qualifying link between overseas and UK entities where applicable, and maintain effective HR and compliance systems.

This route provides businesses with a structured and compliant way to move talent internationally, support UK expansion plans, and strengthen cross-border operations.

Sponsors must comply with ongoing Home Office duties, including maintaining accurate records, monitoring sponsored workers, reporting relevant changes, and ensuring all sponsored assignments continue to meet the requirements of the relevant Global Business Mobility route.

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Whether you're applying for a visa, seeking settlement, or expanding your business to the UK — our certified advisors are here to help.

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Why Choose Our Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence Services?

Our Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence Services help businesses navigate the complexities of the GBM route with confidence. We provide expert guidance on selecting the appropriate mobility pathways, verifying corporate structures, and establishing the qualifying links required by UKVI. For organisations expanding into the UK, we support UK Expansion Worker applications and pre-trading requirements. We also help implement robust compliance systems, ensuring your team is fully prepared to manage sponsor licence responsibilities.
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What is a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?

It is a licence that allows a UK business to sponsor overseas workers for temporary assignments. It replaces the old Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) sponsor licence.

How long is the licence valid for?

From 6 April 2024, sponsor licences no longer require periodic renewal. Licences are now valid for 10 years and are not subject to routine renewal applications or fees. Your licence remains active provided you continue to meet your ongoing sponsor duties.

Can this licence lead to settlement for workers?

No. The Global Business Mobility routes are temporary and do not lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, workers may be able to switch to a route that does (like Skilled Worker) while in the UK.

Can I add GBM to my existing Skilled Worker licence?

Yes. If you already hold a Skilled Worker sponsor licence, you can apply to add the Global Business Mobility route to it. You do not need a separate licence.

Do I need to advertise the job first?

No. Unlike some other routes, GBM routes have never required advertising the role. The Resident Labour Market Test was abolished in December 2020 and applied to the old Tier 2 (General) route, not GBM. The role must be genuine and must meet the applicable skill level and salary requirements for the sub-category used.

Seamless Global Talent Mobility for International Businesses

Requirements for a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence

To successfully apply for a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence, your organization must meet strict Home Office criteria. These parameters ensure your entity handles global transfers responsibly and remains fully compliant.

01

UK Presence (Most Routes)

You must establish an active, operational baseline presence within the UK borders to qualify for standard setups.

  • Required for Senior/Specialist, Graduate Trainee, and Secondment routes.
  • Must be structured as an active trading limited company or registered branch.
  • Sufficient localized infrastructure to fulfill mandatory sponsorship obligations.
02

Qualifying Link

Demonstrating a clear, verifiable structural connection between the local UK entity and the overseas operation.

  • Proof of common corporate ownership or control for intra-company pathways.
  • Valid commercial contract agreements for Service Supplier frameworks.
  • Formal contract documentation mapping global entity ties for Secondments.
03

Key Personnel

Nominating accountable, suitable staff members to manage the regular activities of your licence portal.

  • Appointment of a senior official to act as the primary Authorising Officer.
  • Designation of a reliable Key Contact and an active Level 1 System User.
  • Personnel must be physically based in the UK (barring specific Expansion rules).
04

No Unspent Criminal Convictions

Maintaining high institutional integrity through background checks of all key stakeholders.

  • Core operators must not hold unspent convictions for immigration offenses.
  • Clean criminal standing across all key system personnel and business owners.
  • Absence of relevant financial crimes or non-compliance histories.
05

HR Systems

Deploying robust internal record tracking systems to log and audit incoming international workers.

  • Capabilities to effectively track and monitor migrant presence and locations.
  • HR setups optimized to flag standard compliance milestones cleanly.
  • Proper protocols to carry out statutory Home Office sponsor duties daily.
Crucial Checkpoint: Establishing a qualifying link is the backbone of a Global Business Mobility licence. Whether through shared corporate group ownership or valid overseas service contracts, failing to document this link properly will lead to immediate application rejection by the Home Office.
how we help

Expert Guidance For Your global business mobility licence
Journey, Simplified.

Our experienced professionals provide end-to-end global business mobility licence guidance, ensuring a smooth, stress-free and successful application journey.

01 — assessment
eligibility check

Eligibility Check

We carefully assess your eligibility and verify all required conditions with precision.

02 — verification
document review

Document Review

Our experts review documents to meet Home Office standards & avoid delays.

03 — filing
application submission

Application Submission

We handle submissions and communicate with immigration authorities on your behalf.

04 — success path
approval assistance

Approval Assistance

We guide you post-approval towards ILR and future steps with confidence.