Deploying Global Talent to the UK
The Global Business Mobility framework allows overseas businesses to transfer employees to the United Kingdom for specific business-related assignments from senior management transfers to graduate trainee placements and UK market entry.
What is the Global Business Mobility Framework?
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) framework is a set of five UK immigration routes introduced in April 2022, replacing the former Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa system. It sits within the Worker category of the points-based immigration system and is designed for overseas businesses that need to deploy staff to the United Kingdom on a temporary basis. Unlike the Skilled Worker route — which is available to any eligible employer recruiting from overseas — the GBM framework is specifically for multinational businesses.
Each of the five routes has its own eligibility criteria, salary thresholds, skill level requirements, permitted length of stay, and conditions. None of the GBM routes lead directly to settlement, and the maximum cumulative stay across all GBM routes is typically five years in any six-year period. The framework requires the UK receiving entity to hold a valid sponsor licence with the appropriate GBM rating and to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to the worker before an application can be made.
Our Global Business Mobility Services
We provide end-to-end strategic guidance and application support for corporate structures navigating the UK’s Global Business Mobility framework.
Global Business Mobility — Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa, applicants must meet specific criteria across various sub-routes. The main conditions typically include the following:
1. Corporate Linkage
For the Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, and UK Expansion Worker routes, the applicant must be an employee of an overseas entity that is linked to the UK sponsoring organisation.
Establishing Linkage:
- Common ownership or control (e.g., parent company, subsidiary, or branch relationship)
- Sponsor must evidence relationship through group structures, shareholder agreements, or corporate records
The Service Supplier and Secondment Worker routes do not require a group linkage but have their own distinct qualifying conditions.
2. Certificate of Sponsorship
All GBM routes require the applicant to hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by the UK sponsor on the correct GBM route.
CoS Requirements:
- Must accurately record job title, occupation code, salary, assignment duration, and sub-route
- Applications must be submitted within three months of the CoS being assigned
Errors or inconsistencies in the CoS are a common cause of refusal and can also raise compliance concerns for the sponsoring employer.
3. Eligible Role and Skill Level
For the Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, and UK Expansion Worker routes, the role must be at or above RQF Level 6 and listed in the relevant Appendix to the Immigration Rules.
From 22 July 2025, no new Certificate of Sponsorship can be assigned for roles below this level, with limited transitional concessions for existing workers extending with the same employer.
Assessment Process:
- The role must be genuine
- UKVI may request organisational charts, job descriptions, and evidence of business need
4. Salary Requirements
Minimum salary requirements vary by sub-route to ensure appropriate compensation thresholds are met.
- Senior or Specialist Workers & UK Expansion Workers: At least £52,500 per year or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher
- Graduate Trainees: At least £27,300 per year or the applicable going rate, whichever is higher
- Service Suppliers & Secondment Workers: Not subject to a specific threshold but must comply with National Minimum Wage legislation
Only guaranteed basic pay and fixed allowances may count toward meeting the threshold.
5. Employment History
Most GBM routes require the applicant to have been employed by the overseas entity for a minimum period before the transfer.
Prior Employment Durations:
- Senior or Specialist Workers: 12 months with the sponsoring overseas entity
- UK Expansion Workers: 12 months with the sponsoring overseas entity
- Graduate Trainees: Reduced to 3 months
Acceptable evidence:
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- Payslips and employment contracts
- Official confirmation from the employer
6. Length of Stay and No Settlement Pathway
None of the GBM routes lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain, and time spent on them does not count towards the qualifying period for settlement under the points-based system.
- Maximum cumulative stay across all GBM routes is generally 5 years in any 6-year period
- Individual routes may have shorter grant periods (e.g., UK Expansion Worker Visa is capped at a maximum of 2 years)
Workers who wish to remain in the UK beyond their GBM leave must switch into an eligible route, such as the Skilled Worker route, before their permission expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
A set of five UK immigration routes that allow overseas businesses to transfer employees to the UK on a temporary basis. It replaced the Intra-Company Transfer visa system in April 2022. There are five routes: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker.
It depends on the corporate structure, the worker's role and salary, and the nature of the assignment. V Immigration assesses each case individually to identify the correct route before any application or CoS assignment is made.
Yes. For all five GBM routes, the UK entity receiving the worker must hold a valid sponsor licence with the appropriate GBM rating. For the UK Expansion Worker route, where the UK business has not yet commenced trading, a provisional licence is required.
No. None of the GBM routes lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain, and time spent on GBM routes does not count towards the qualifying period for settlement. Workers who wish to remain in the UK long-term may be able to switch into the Skilled Worker route if they meet the requirements.
From 22 July 2025, the minimum salary is £52,500 per year or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher. This applies to both the Senior or Specialist Worker and UK Expansion Worker routes.
The minimum salary for the Graduate Trainee route is £27,300 per year or the applicable going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher.
No. Unlike the Skilled Worker route, there is no English language requirement for any of the five GBM routes. This is a practical advantage for short-term or specialist assignments.
Process & Services
Comprehensive support for your Global Business Mobility applications, from eligibility assessments to ongoing compliance management.
Eligibility Assessment
We assess the corporate structure, role, salary, and employment history to identify the correct GBM route and confirm whether the eligibility requirements are met.
Required Documents
We advise on the specific documentation required for the chosen route — including corporate linkage evidence, employment history, and CoS details — and review all documents before submission.
Application Timeline
Standard visa processing is typically around three weeks for overseas applications. We advise on realistic timelines and manage CoS assignment and pre-application steps to avoid unnecessary delay.
Sponsor Licence Support
We prepare and submit GBM sponsor licence applications and advise on the provisional licence process for UK Expansion Worker sponsorship, including the compliance obligations that apply post-grant.
Legal Support
Professional advice and application support at every stage — from initial assessment through to visa submission, compliance management, extension, and switching advice.
Contact Support
Available by telephone, email, and appointment at our Birmingham and London offices. Contact us to discuss your Global Business Mobility requirements.