The Global Business Mobility routes were introduced in April 2022 and replaced the previous Intra-Company Transfer route. They cover five distinct visa categories designed to facilitate the movement of workers between overseas and UK operations of connected businesses, and to support international companies seeking to enter or work within the UK market. Each route has its own eligibility criteria, maximum duration, and salary requirements, and choosing the right route for the specific circumstances is important before any application is made.
The five routes within Global Business Mobility are the Senior or Specialist Worker route, for established employees being transferred to a UK branch or subsidiary in a senior or specialist capacity; the Graduate Trainee route, for recent graduates completing a structured training programme that includes a UK rotation; the UK Expansion Worker route, for senior employees sent to establish a new UK presence for an overseas business that does not yet have an active UK trading operation; the Secondment Worker route, for employees of overseas businesses being seconded to a UK business as part of a high-value contract or investment arrangement; and the Service Supplier route, for contractual service suppliers and independent professionals delivering services under an international trade agreement.
NARA Solicitors advises businesses and individuals across all five routes. We advise on which route is appropriate for the specific movement of personnel being planned, assist with sponsor licence applications for the relevant route, prepare Certificate of Sponsorship documentation, and support individual applicants through the visa process. We also advise on the transition from a Global Business Mobility visa to a longer-term route such as the Skilled Worker Visa where a worker is intended to remain in the UK beyond the maximum permitted period under their initial visa.