Global Business Mobility

01

Choose the category for the actual assignment

These categories are not interchangeable. Start with the work to be carried out and the relevant company or contractual relationship, then test the category’s requirements.

• Senior or Specialist Worker: an existing overseas employee taking an eligible role at the employer’s UK business.
• Graduate Trainee: a UK placement within a graduate programme leading to a managerial or specialist role.
• UK Expansion Worker: a senior manager or specialist establishing a UK presence for an overseas business that has not started UK trading.
• Service Supplier: qualifying services under an eligible international trade agreement, supplied by an overseas employee or an eligible independent professional.
• Secondment Worker: an overseas employee assigned to a UK organisation under a qualifying high-value commercial arrangement.

02

Business evidence and worker eligibility

A sponsor must hold the licence for the relevant category and provide the required Certificate of Sponsorship. Group links, a genuine expansion plan or an eligible contract may need to be evidenced, depending on the route. A general business relationship is not sufficient by itself.

Overseas employment, occupation, salary and experience requirements differ. For example, Graduate Trainee normally requires three months’ overseas employment immediately before applying, while Service Supplier has its own employment or professional-experience and trade-agreement conditions. Check the current rule for the selected category rather than applying one test to all five.

03

Plan the assignment and the period after it

Each category has its own grant and maximum-stay limits. Previous time in Global Business Mobility and certain predecessor routes may count towards an overall limit. An apparent gap between assignments does not necessarily reset that calculation.

These routes do not directly lead to settlement. If the worker’s longer-term plan is to remain in the UK, assess whether a different route is suitable and whether a later switch would be possible. Do not present a future switch as guaranteed.

Business-visitor permission allows specified activities only. It should not be used to cover a working assignment that needs sponsorship.

04

Prepare the company and assignment brief

Start with a group structure chart or contract summary, a description of the UK entity’s activity, the worker’s current employer, proposed duties, salary, dates and previous UK assignments. Include the UK sponsor’s licence position and any partner or children who would travel.

This gives a practical basis for comparing routes and identifying the evidence needed. Before instruction, agree whether the work covers the sponsor licence, an individual application, family applications or continuing compliance.

Common questions