Back in the spring of 2022 changes were made to the Immigration Rules by the government which introduced the Global Business Mobility Visa. This is a new category of sponsored routes for businesses based overseas who are looking to either create a business existence within the United Kingdom or to relocate staff for specific business purposes.

The Global Business Mobility routes are designed for businesses and workers undertaking temporary business assignments in the United Kingdom. However, once in the UK Global Business Mobility visa holders may be able to switch to another immigration route that does lead to settlement.

This new route encompasses five sponsored visa options which consist of the following;

1. The Service Supplier Visa
2. The Secondment Worker Visa
3. The UK Expansion Worker Visa
4. The Graduate Trainee Visa
5. The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

These Visas have replaced existing visas such as the Intra Company Transfer and Intra Company Graduate Trainee visas.

There are various eligibility criteria for each of these routes including a financial requirement and, where applicable, the provision of a valid tuberculosis certificate.

All the routes which fall within the Global Business category require the UK company (or in the case of a UK expansion worker visa the overseas company) to apply for, and be granted, a sponsor licence before any visas can be applied for.

There are strong indications that the applicants for the new visa will have to demonstrate proof of sponsorship (by the receiving business) no matter the worker category under which they’re applying. Besides, an applicant should show that they have a sending business and that the latter has a relationship with the receiving business.

The new Global Business Mobility routes are a world leading offer for businesses. Now, for the first time, teams of workers will be able to undertake duties connected to a business’s expansion to the UK, thereby promoting inward investment.

To learn more about the Global Business Mobility Routes and what it could mean for you, please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone, email or chat with us on WhatsApp.