Senior or Specialist Worker visa
Global Business Mobility · Official name: Global Business Mobility: Senior or Specialist Worker visa
An intra-company transfer visa for staff of an overseas employer moving to a UK branch or linked business. The UK employer must be a licensed sponsor, the job must be on the eligible occupations list, and the minimum salary is £52,500 per year. It does not lead to settlement. Maximum stay is 5 years in any 6 (9 years in any 10 if paid £73,900 or more).
Entry restrictions apply to 1 passports for United Kingdom
The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.
- Afghanistan
AfghanistanSource: GOV.UK - Visa brake: changes to the UK visa systemSource: UK Parliament - Written ministerial statement HCWS1379, 5 March 2026Source: GOV.UK - Explanatory memorandum to the Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules HC 1691, 5 March 2026
Life in United Kingdom
Finance
3
Currency
British Pound
GBP
British Pound
Cost of living
92
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–45%
Income tax (national)
VAT 20% · social security 8%
Personal allowance GBP 12,570 (tapered away above GBP 100,000); 40% from GBP 50,271 and 45% above GBP 125,140. Scotland sets different bands and rates.
Living
1
Happiness
#27 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Senior managers and specialists transferred by their employer to a UK business linked to it.
Eligibility
Sponsored transfer
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe applicant already works for an employer approved by the Home Office as a sponsor (or its linked overseas business) and has a certificate of sponsorship for the UK role.
Eligible occupation
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe job must be on the list of eligible occupations.
Salary
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou need a job paying at least £52,500 per year.
£52,500
Minimum salary
Official wording
At least £52,500 per year.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirement
- Document checklist
- Fees
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- 1 more requirement
- 3 documents
- 5 fees
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Official sources
Other routes to United Kingdom
- Visit & tourismElectronic Travel Authorisation
- StudyStudent visa
- Skilled migrationGlobal Talent visa
- 3 more routes with Premium
Work permits in other countries
- GrenadaGrenada Work Permit (Foreign Nationals and Commonwealth Citizens (Employment) Act, Cap. 115)
- GeorgiaGeorgia right to work (labour activity permit) with work residence permit or D1 visa – labour migration rules in force from 1 March 2026
- GuernseyGuernsey Employment Permit (immigration) with Population Management permit
- 3 more routes with Premium
