Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visa Routes

What is Global Business Mobility?

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa routes are designed to help international businesses bring their employees to the UK for specific work purposes. Introduced in April 2022, these routes replaced several older business visa categories and provide greater flexibility for overseas companies expanding or operating in the UK.

GBM routes are temporary work visas, which do not usually lead directly to settlement but allow businesses to meet their commercial needs by sending key workers, specialists, or graduate trainees to the UK.

Categories of Global Business Mobility

There are five main routes under the GBM scheme:

1. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

• For senior managers or specialist employees of an overseas business being transferred to a UK branch.
• Replaced the Intra-Company Transfer Visa.
• Requires a Certificate of Sponsorship and minimum salary thresholds.

2. Graduate Trainee Visa

• For employees of an overseas business being transferred to the UK as part of a structured graduate training programme.
• Allows international staff to gain UK experience before returning to senior roles in their home company.

3. UK Expansion Worker Visa

• For businesses without a UK presence who want to send senior staff to establish and grow a new branch.
• Provides an initial route to enter the UK and set up operations.

4. Service Supplier Visa

• For overseas workers providing services to a UK business under an international trade agreement.
• Often used for contractual services or self-employed independent professionals.

5. Secondment Worker Visa

• For employees of an overseas business being seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment.

General Requirements

While each GBM route has its own conditions, applicants usually need to show:

• A valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor.
• Employment with the overseas business (often for at least 12 months).
• Meeting the minimum salary thresholds.
• Proof of personal savings to support themselves in the UK.

Family Members

Dependants (partner and children under 18) can usually apply to join the main applicant.

How Long Can You Stay?

• Most GBM visas are valid for up to 1 year initially and can be extended.
• Maximum stay varies by route (for example, up to 5 years in a 6-year period for Senior or Specialist Workers).

How Miya Solicitors Can Help

At Miya Solicitors, our Immigration Law team provides expert guidance on all Global Business Mobility routes, including:

• Assessing which GBM route is right for your business needs.
• Assisting with sponsor licence applications.
• Preparing visa applications for employees and dependants.
• Advising on compliance with Home Office requirements.
• Providing multilingual support for international businesses.

Contact Us

If your business needs to transfer staff, expand into the UK, or supply services under international trade agreements, our team can help.

📞 Call Miya Solicitors today on 0203 7504445 for a confidential consultation.