Immigration support for international businesses moving people to the UK
The Global Business Mobility routes are designed for overseas businesses that need to move key personnel to the UK for specific commercial purposes.
These routes may be suitable where a business is expanding into the UK, transferring senior or specialist employees, sending graduate trainees, fulfilling a service contract or seconding workers as part of a high-value contract or investment.
Templeton advises overseas companies, UK entities, senior executives and key personnel on Global Business Mobility sponsorship and visa applications.
What are the Global Business Mobility routes?
The Global Business Mobility category includes five main routes.
1. Senior or Specialist Worker
This route is for senior managers or specialist employees being temporarily assigned to a UK branch or linked UK business.
It replaced the Intra-Company Transfer route.
2. UK Expansion Worker
This route is for senior managers or specialist employees being assigned to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary of an overseas business that has not yet started trading in the UK.
It is often relevant for overseas companies entering the UK market for the first time.
3. Graduate Trainee
This route is for overseas workers on a structured graduate training programme leading to a senior management or specialist role, where the worker is being temporarily assigned to the UK.
4. Service Supplier
This route is for overseas contractual service suppliers or self-employed independent professionals providing services in the UK under certain international trade commitments
5. Secondment Worker
This route is for overseas workers being temporarily seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment.
Key requirements
The requirements differ depending on the specific Global Business Mobility route, but the following issues are usually important:
- the UK business must hold the correct sponsor licence
- the worker must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship
- the role must be eligible
- the salary must meet the relevant threshold
- the worker may need to show previous overseas employment with the linked overseas business
- the UK and overseas entities may need to show a qualifying corporate relationship
- the application must be supported by appropriate evidence
These routes are technical and should be planned carefully, particularly where the business is newly expanding into the UK.
Does Global Business Mobility lead to settlement?
Global Business Mobility routes are temporary work routes and do not lead directly to settlement in the UK.
However, depending on the worker’s circumstances, it may be possible to switch into another route that does lead to settlement, such as Skilled Worker, if the relevant requirements are met.
For senior personnel and business owners, it is important to consider long-term immigration planning before choosing a route.
How we can help
Speak to a Global Business Mobility lawyer
Moving key personnel to the UK can be central to international growth, but the wrong route or poor preparation can delay expansion plans and create compliance risk.
Templeton can help you identify the right route, prepare the necessary evidence and support the visa and sponsorship process from start to finish.
Contact us to discuss your UK mobility or expansion plans.
