Global Business Mobility Visa (GBM Visa)

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visa is designed to facilitate the temporary transfer of overseas workers to the UK for specific business purposes.

This route allows multinational companies to bring essential personnel to their UK operations, support business expansion, or fulfil contractual obligations.

At Aaron & Partners, we offer specialist guidance on this key route, enabling overseas companies to send employees to the UK for temporary assignments. Whether you're launching a UK branch, fulfilling an international contract, or bringing in specialist talent, our team provides tailored, commercially focused immigration advice that aligns with your business strategy.

What is a GBM visa and what does it allow you to do?

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is a series of sponsored temporary work routes allowing overseas businesses to send employees to the UK for specific assignments.

It streamlines the process for multinational companies to bring in essential personnel, support business expansion, or fulfil contractual obligations within the UK. For example, it does not require English Language proficiency.

What are the visas available under the GBM route?

The Global Business Mobility route comprises five distinct visa categories:

1. Senior or Specialist Worker

This visa is designed for experienced managers and highly skilled employees who are temporarily assigned to a UK branch of their existing overseas employer.

Replacing the former Intra-company Transfer visa, this route supports international staff mobility while maintaining regulatory clarity. To qualify, applicants must typically earn a minimum salary of £52,500 per year or meet the 'going rate' for their role, whichever is higher.

The visa permits a stay of up to five years within any six-year period, or up to nine years within any ten-year period for those earning £73,900 or more annually. Notably, time spent under previous Intra-company Transfer visas is included in these cumulative limits.

2. Graduate Trainee

The Graduate Trainee visa is intended for overseas employees taking part in a structured graduate training programme that leads to a senior managerial or specialist role within their employer’s UK branch.

This route, which replaced the Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa, enables promising talent to gain international experience as part of their professional development. Applicants must typically earn a minimum salary of £27,300 per year, or 70% of the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. Visas are usually granted for up to 12 months at a time, with a maximum stay of five years permitted within any six-year period.

3. UK Expansion Worker

The UK Expansion Worker visa is tailored for senior managers or specialist employees tasked with establishing a new UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas business that has yet to begin trading in the UK.

This route provides a critical legal framework for businesses looking to expand their operations into the UK market. To qualify, individuals must earn a minimum annual salary of £52,500 or meet the going rate for their role, whichever is higher. The initial visa is granted for up to 12 months, either from the start date on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or the time specified on the CoS plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

It can be extended once, for a further 12 months, bringing the maximum stay on this route to two years. Importantly, time spent on any Global Business Mobility or former Intra-company visa counts toward an overall cap of five years in any six-year period.

4. Service Supplier

The Service Supplier visa is  for contractual service providers and independent professionals who are coming to the UK to deliver services under the terms of an international trade agreement.

This route facilitates cross-border service delivery while supporting the UK's global trade commitments. Unlike other Global Business Mobility routes, there is no specific minimum salary requirement for this category, reflecting the varied nature of service-based engagements.

The permitted duration of stay is typically either six or twelve months, depending on the terms of the applicable trade agreement governing the service provision.

5. Secondment Worker

The Secondment Worker visa supports overseas employees who are being temporarily seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment between their overseas employer and a UK-based organisation.

This route enables skilled professionals to contribute to significant cross-border projects without needing to change employers. There is no fixed minimum salary threshold for this visa category, reflecting its focus on project-based assignments.

Typically, the visa is granted for up to 12 months initially and may be extended for an additional 12 months. The maximum stay under this route is two years, with time spent on any Global Business Mobility or former Intra-company visa counting towards an overall limit of five years within any six-year period.

Can family members join an employee on this route as their dependant visa?

Yes, generally eligible family members can join or accompany a Global Business Mobility visa holder as dependants.

An eligible dependant is typically:

• Your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
• Your child under 18 years old (including if born in the UK during your stay).
• Your child over 18 if they currently have permission to be in the UK as your dependant.

Dependants will need to make their own application, pay the application fee, and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). They will also need to demonstrate they have enough money to support themselves in the UK, unless the sponsor confirms they will cover the maintenance costs on the Certificate of Sponsorship. The validity period of a dependant visa will align with the main applicant's visa.

Can these routes lead to settlement in the UK?

No, the Global Business Mobility visa routes do not directly lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain - ILR) in the UK.

The GBM routes are designed for temporary work assignments. While you can extend some GBM visas up to the maximum permitted time, time spent on these visas does not count towards settlement.

Speak to our Global Business Mobility Solicitors

With extensive experience advising high-growth companies, global groups, and specialist professionals, we understand the practical and commercial pressures behind international assignments.

Our partner-led team offers discreet, strategic advice across all GBM visa categories, helping you ensure compliance, maximise business flexibility, and navigate the UK’s evolving immigration landscape with confidence.

If your organisation is exploring UK expansion or needs support bringing overseas talent into your operations, we’re here to help. Contact our immigration team today to discuss your specific needs via the form below.