This page covers the following topics
Update: The Senior or Specialist Worker visa replaced the UK Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa – Long-term Staff visa, from 11th April 2022.
Introduction
- The UK Home Office launched a few new visas under a special category called the ‘Global Business Mobility’ which came into effect from 11th April, 2022.
- This category has 5 visas under it, that cater to business owners in the UK, overseas companies, and overseas skilled professionals.
- Get in touch with Conroy Baker, either call us on +44 203 773 2948 or drop an email at [email protected] to know about the Global Business Mobility route in detail.
- As a Senior or Specialist Worker visa consultant in India, we accurately guide clients on the eligibility criteria, requirements, and application process for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
Senior or Specialist Worker – Overview
- A Senior or Specialist Worker visa is for overseas professionals who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK.
- For this visa, the overseas professional must be a senior manager or specialist employee.
- The applicant must be assigned to the UK for a business-related purpose, which is linked to their overseas employer.
- Such assignments are typically referred to as ‘Intra-Company Transfer’ or ICT.
- A partner and children (under 18 years) can accompany the main applicant to the UK on a Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
- However, applicants must note that the Senior or Specialist Worker visa does not permit settlement in the UK.
| Eligibility Criteria | List of Documents |
|---|---|
| The applicant must: | The applicant will need: |
| 1. Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK employer. | 1. A Certificate of Sponsorship. |
| 2. Have worked for an overseas employer. | 2. A valid passport to prove identity, with enough blank pages. |
| 3. Do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations. | 3. Job title and annual salary. |
| 4. Be paid the minimum eligible salary required for the job role. | 4. Job’s occupation code. |
| 5. Name of the employer and their Sponsor Licence number – this is mentioned on the Certificate of Sponsorship. | |
| 6. Evidence to show enough personal savings to support their stay in the UK. For example, bank statements. | |
| 7. Proof of relationship – partner or children (if they are applying along with the main applicant). | |
| 8. Tuberculosis test results (if required). |
Certificate of Sponsorship for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa
- The UK-based employer – also known as a ‘Sponsor’ – must provide the applicant with a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ stating all the information with regards to the job role for which the applicant is employed in the UK.
- It’s an e-Certificate and not a paper document.
- The applicant will need the reference number from the Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for the visa.
- The applicant is required to apply for the visa within 3 months of getting the Certificate of Sponsorship.
You MUST know this!
A Senior or Specialist Worker visa applicant does not need to meet the English language requirement.
Salary requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa
The applicant must be paid at least £42,400 or the ‘going rate’ for that particular job role – whichever is higher. Each job role has a particular ‘going rate’.
Permitted and not permitted activities in the UK on a UK Expansion Worker visa
The applicant is permitted to:
- Work for their sponsor in the job described in their Certificate of Sponsorship.
Study. - Bring partner and children as ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
- Do voluntary work.
- Travel abroad and return to the UK.
The applicant is not permitted to:
- Apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.
- Change jobs unless eligible and have updated the visa.
- Have a second job – unless the applicant has previously had an Intra-Company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Long term Staff visa.
- Apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’).
