Global Mobility Visas

Global Mobility Visas – Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker (and Other GBM Routes)

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes are a key part of the UK’s corporate immigration system. They enable overseas businesses to send senior employees, specialists and trainees to the UK, and allow international companies to expand into the UK market. Although most employers and applicants engage with the three main routes—Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee and UK Expansion Worker—the GBM system officially contains five categories.

Understanding all five helps businesses identify the correct pathway and avoid mistakenly using a route that does not fit their commercial structure.

At The Jonathan Lea Network, we advise multinational groups, scale-ups and individual transferees across all GBM routes with clear, proactive and commercially attuned support.

Which Global Mobility Routes Exist?

There are five official GBM routes under Home Office rules:

1. Senior or Specialist Worker – long-term high-level intra-company transfers
   
2. Graduate Trainee – structured training placements for future leaders
   
3. UK Expansion Worker – establishing a first UK branch or entity
   
4. Service Supplier – contracts delivered under specific international trade agreements
   
5. Secondment Worker – secondments under high-value contracts or investments
   

Note:

This service page focuses primarily on the first three routes, which are the most widely used. However, for completeness:

• The Service Supplier route is used where overseas service providers or self-employed professionals deliver work under qualifying trade or services agreements.
  
• The Secondment Worker route applies where staff are seconded to a UK firm under a high-value contract or investment arrangement.
  

These niche routes support specific industry or contractual mobility scenarios.

Important Duration Rule – Maximum Stay Across All GBM Routes

Time spent in any GBM route — or the former Intra-Company Transfer schemes — counts toward a single maximum limit of:

• 5 years in any 6-year period, or
  
• 9 years for high earners, where the salary threshold is met
  

This cumulative limit applies across all GBM categories combined.

1. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is the primary route for multinational companies transferring experienced staff to a UK branch.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• have a job offer from a licensed UK sponsor linked to their overseas employer
  
• have worked for the overseas entity for at least 12 months (unless a high earner)
  
• hold a role at RQF Level 6 or above
• meet the salary threshold (going rate or minimum route threshold)
  
• demonstrate sufficient maintenance funds (unless certified by sponsor)
  

Salary Requirements

Applicants must earn the higher of:

• the occupation’s going rate, or
  
• the route minimum (currently £48,500, subject to annual Home Office reviews)
  

Length of Stay

Senior or Specialist Workers may stay:

• up to 5 years in any 6-year period, or
  
• up to 9 years for high earners
  

This route does not lead directly to ILR.

Employer Requirements and 2025 Compliance Changes

Sponsors must:

• be linked to the overseas entity through common ownership or control
  
• hold an appropriate Worker sponsor licence
  
• monitor the worker’s role, salary, attendance and work location
  
• report changes via the Sponsor Management System (SMS)
  

Strengthened cancellation powers (from 11 November 2025):

The Home Office may now immediately cancel a worker’s visa and their dependants’ visas where:

• the role changes without proper reporting
  
• duties differ materially from those on the CoS
  
• the worker breaches conditions
  
• the sponsor fails to update the SMS
  

Sponsors must therefore maintain strict record-keeping throughout the assignment and after the worker leaves.

2. Graduate Trainee Visa

This route is for early-career professionals on structured graduate programmes who rotate through global branches.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• be employed for at least 3 months by the overseas business
  
• be on a structured graduate training programme
  
• be training toward a specialist or managerial role
  
• have a UK sponsor licence within the same corporate group
  
• meet salary and skill thresholds (RQF 6 roles)
  

Salary Requirements

Applicants must meet:

• the lower general threshold for Graduate Trainees (currently around £24,220, subject to annual updates)
  
• the occupation’s going rate
  

This makes the route commercially attractive for developing leadership talent.

Length of Stay

The visa normally lasts 12 months, with no extension beyond this period, although fresh applications may be possible in future years depending on programme structure.

Time in this route counts toward the 5-year in 6-year maximum (or 9-year cap for high earners).

Employer Requirements and Compliance

Sponsors must demonstrate:

• a genuine structured trainee programme
  
• group ownership links
  
• clear evidence of role and training progression
  

The strengthened November 2025 cancellation powers apply identically here. Sponsors must report any change in role or training structure immediately.

3. UK Expansion Worker Visa

The UK Expansion Worker route is designed for overseas businesses sending senior staff or specialists to establish a new UK branch or subsidiary.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• be senior employees or specialists
  
• have been employed overseas for at least 12 months (unless exempt)
  
• be assigned a role at RQF Level 6
  
• meet salary thresholds
  
• intend to establish a UK trading presence
  

Sponsor Licence for UK Expansion Workers

The most technical element of this route is the requirement for a UK sponsor licence, even before the UK entity becomes operational.

Key points:

• The overseas parent company must normally show at least three years’ trading history (exceptions exist for high-growth sectors).
  
• The UK branch must not be actively trading at the time of applying.
  
• Once the sponsor licence is granted, up to five sponsored workers can be assigned.
  
• After the UK entity becomes operational, the licence must be “converted” into a full Worker licence.
  

We assist with preparing business plans, organisational charts, financial statements and supporting evidence to meet Home Office expectations.

Length of Stay

UK Expansion Workers can stay:

• 12 months initially, with
  
• a possible 12-month extension

Maximum time in the route is 2 years, but time still counts toward the overall 5-year in 6-year GBM limit.

Employer Requirements and 2025 Compliance Rules

Enhanced compliance rules apply:

• role, salary and duties must match the CoS
  
• attendance and work location must be monitored
  
• significant deviations must be reported promptly
  

November 2025 cancellation powers apply fully.

Service Supplier and Secondment Worker Routes (Brief Overview)

Although used less frequently, these two GBM routes support specific corporate and contract-based mobility scenarios.

Service Supplier Route

For overseas service providers or certain self-employed professionals delivering services under international trade agreements.

Secondment Worker Route

For employees being seconded to the UK under high-value contracts or major investments between international businesses.

While niche, these routes can be essential for project-based industries, consulting, specialist trades, and multinational investment frameworks.

We advise on all five routes to ensure organisations select the correct pathway.

Dependants

Dependants are generally permitted for all three main GBM routes (unless affected by wider immigration reforms).

Dependants must meet:

• maintenance requirements
  
• suitability checks
  
• switching rules
  

Since November 2025, if a sponsor fails to comply or the worker’s role changes without proper reporting, the Home Office can cancel both the main visa and dependants’ visas immediately.

Switching and Long-Term Options

GBM routes do not lead to ILR.  However, workers may be able to switch into:

• Skilled Worker
  
• Global Talent
• Innovator Founder
  
• Partner of a British Citizen
  

Important:

Years spent in any GBM route do not count towards ILR residence.
Applicants must complete the full qualifying period (5 or 10 years depending on the route) after switching into a settlement-qualifying visa.

We assist with strategic long-term immigration planning to ensure smooth transition.

Common Challenges and How We Assist

1. Demonstrating corporate ownership links: We advise on group structures and documentation.

2. Salary calculation errors: We ensure accurate use of going rates and route-specific thresholds.

3. UK Expansion Worker evidence issues: We prepare detailed business plans, trading history evidence and compliance packs.

4. Employer compliance risks: We train HR teams and ensure SMS reporting is consistent and timely.

5. Maximum stay calculations: We advise businesses on cumulative stay limits across all GBM categories.

Why Choose The Jonathan Lea Network?

Specialists in corporate mobility: We understand the needs of multinational businesses and fast-growth companies entering the UK market.

Precision in compliance and documentation: Our applications reduce risk of refusal or disruption.

Strategic long-term advice: We help clients plan beyond short assignments toward scalable, compliant UK operations.

Excellent value and clear communication: We offer practical guidance with transparent pricing and ongoing support.

Speak to Our Immigration Team Today

The Global Mobility routes provide multinational businesses with structured, compliant pathways to transfer staff and establish UK operations. Whether moving senior leaders, rotating trainees, or opening a UK branch, expert advice can make a significant difference to speed, accuracy and compliance.

Contact The Jonathan Lea Network today for clear, practical and strategic guidance on all five Global Business Mobility routes.

We offer a no-cost, no-obligation 20-minute introductory call as a starting point or, in some cases, if you would just like some initial advice and guidance, we will instead offer a one-hour fixed fee appointment (charged from £250 plus VAT to £350 plus VAT* depending on the complexity of the issues and seniority of the fee earner).

Please email wewillhelp@jonathanlea.net providing us with any relevant information ensuring that any call we have is as productive as possible or call us on 01444 708640. After this call, we can then email you a scope of work, fee estimate (or fixed fee quote if possible), and confirmation of any other points or information mentioned on the call.

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