--- title: "Post Study Graduate Trainee Global Business Mobility" url: https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/post-study-graduate-trainee-global-business-mobility/ type: page date: 2024-02-14 modified: 2026-10-25 markdown_url: https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/post-study-graduate-trainee-global-business-mobility.md author: "T Shah" --- # Post Study Graduate Trainee Global Business Mobility [Home](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com) ## Graduate Trainee Visa UK The Graduate Trainee Visa is for overseas group employees who need to complete a UK work placement as part of a structured graduate training programme leading to a senior management or specialist role. The route is temporary, sponsor-led and evidence-focused, so the sponsor, training programme, occupation code, salary and overseas employment history must all align. [Book a Graduate Trainee Visa Consultation](#fluentform_5) ## Quick case check Review whether the sponsor, training programme, salary, occupation code and overseas employment evidence are strong enough before the application is prepared. ### UK sponsor approved? ### 3 months overseas employment? ### Eligible occupation code? ### Salary threshold met? [Ask an Adviser](#fluentform_5) Book Consultation Overview Key Facts Eligibility Documents Fees Apply Dependants Extension ILR Process FAQs ### Overview ## What is the UK Graduate visa and who is it for? The Graduate Trainee Visa is part of the Global Business Mobility framework. It allows an overseas group employee to come to the UK for a temporary work placement where that placement forms part of a graduate training programme leading to a senior management or specialist position. This route is not a general graduate work visa and it is not designed for graduates looking for open employment in the UK. It is for existing overseas employees of an international business group where the UK entity is authorised to sponsor the worker for the temporary placement. For many applicants and employers, the main risk is not the form itself. The real issue is whether the training programme, sponsor record, Certificate of Sponsorship, overseas employment evidence, occupation code and salary package all support the same immigration route. Immigration Visa Expert Immigration Visa Experts can review the case structure before the application is prepared. ### Latest position ## What are the current Graduate Trainee Visa rules? These short answers help you understand the route quickly before deciding whether to request a document check or full application support. Temporary GBM route This is a temporary route for a UK work placement linked to a structured graduate training programme. It does not directly lead to settlement. Current fee and IHS The application fee is £340 per applicant. The Immigration Health Surcharge is usually £1,035 per year. Salary threshold The role must usually pay at least £27,300 per year or 70% of the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. No in-country switch or extension The main applicant cannot switch into this route from inside the UK and cannot extend this visa from inside the UK. ### Key facts ## Graduate Trainee Visa UK: key points before you apply Applicant type For an overseas group employee on a graduate training programme leading to a senior or specialist role. Overseas employment The applicant must have worked for the sponsor group outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before applying. Sponsorship The UK business must assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the UK graduate placement. Salary The role must meet the Graduate Trainee salary threshold and the relevant occupation-rate rule. Stay length Permission is usually limited to the sponsored assignment period plus 14 days or 12 months, whichever is shorter. Settlement This route does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain. ### Eligibility ## Who can qualify for a Graduate Trainee Visa? A Graduate Trainee applicant must already work for an overseas business that is linked to the UK sponsor. The applicant must be coming to the UK for a temporary work placement that forms part of a graduate training programme leading to a senior management or specialist position. The applicant must have worked outside the UK for the sponsor group for at least 3 months immediately before the application. This is a key reason why the main applicant cannot switch into the route from inside the UK. The UK role must be in an eligible occupation and the sponsor must assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship with details that match the training placement, job title, occupation code, salary, start date and end date. The case should be reviewed as a complete package rather than as isolated documents. Graduate training programme evidence matters A strong case should show that the UK placement is genuinely part of a structured graduate training programme and not a standard UK vacancy presented as a graduate assignment. ### Sponsorship ## What sponsor and Certificate of Sponsorship details are important? The UK business must hold the correct sponsorship permission for the Graduate Trainee route and must assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship to the applicant. The sponsorship record should be consistent with the applicant’s overseas employment, the UK placement, the role, the salary and the training programme. The Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic sponsorship record rather than a paper certificate. It should identify the sponsored role, salary, occupation code, work dates and sponsor details clearly. If the sponsor certifies maintenance for the main applicant, that should also be reflected correctly. Sponsor-side errors can create avoidable risk. Before submission, the sponsor record should be checked against the job description, graduate programme evidence, employment history, salary package and supporting documents. ### Salary ## What is the Graduate Trainee Visa salary requirement? The salary must usually be at least £27,300 per year or 70% of the going rate for the relevant occupation, whichever is higher. The going rate depends on the occupation code and should be checked carefully against the sponsored role. Some health and education roles are assessed differently and may require the salary to meet at least £27,300 or the full going rate for that role, whichever is higher. The salary position should therefore be reviewed by occupation code rather than by job title alone. Salary assessment can become more complex where the applicant has variable hours, allowances, accommodation support or a package that does not clearly match the sponsored role. We can review the sponsor’s salary and occupation-code approach before the application is prepared. ### Documents ## What documents are usually important for a Graduate Trainee Visa? The document strategy should confirm identity, sponsorship, overseas employment, graduate training programme, occupation code, salary, financial position and family relationship evidence where dependants are included. The exact evidence depends on the applicant’s role, sponsor group, training programme, salary structure, nationality, location and family circumstances. A focused document review can help avoid submitting a weak or inconsistent application bundle. Sponsor and CoS fit Evidence should show that the UK placement, sponsor record and graduate programme align. Overseas employment The applicant may need evidence of paid employment outside the UK for the required 3-month period. Salary, funds and family Salary, maintenance, dependant and tuberculosis evidence should be checked where relevant. Salary The role must meet the Graduate Trainee salary threshold and the relevant occupation-rate rule. Stay length Permission is usually limited to the sponsored assignment period plus 14 days or 12 months, whichever is shorter. Settlement This route does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain. ## Request a Graduate Trainee Visa document review We can review the sponsor details, Certificate of Sponsorship, salary, occupation code, overseas employment evidence, training programme material and dependant documents before the application is prepared. [Request Profile Review](#fluentform_5) ### Fees ## How much does a Graduate Trainee Visa cost? Application fee **£340 per applicant.** Paid by each main applicant and dependant applying under this route. Immigration Health Surcharge **Usually £1,035 per year. ** Calculated separately according to the period of permission requested. Main applicant maintenance **Usually £1,270. ** Required unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption or sponsor-certified maintenance applies. Dependant maintenance **£285 partner, £315 first child and £200 each additional child.** Required where evidence is needed and no exemption or sponsor certification applies. Other costs **Case-dependent** . Translation, tuberculosis testing where required, priority services and professional advice may add to the overall cost. ### Dependants ## Can dependants apply with a Graduate Trainee? A partner and dependent children can apply with or after the main applicant if they meet the relevant relationship, age, care and financial requirements. Their permission is usually linked to the main applicant’s permission. Dependent partners and children may normally work, study and travel, subject to the conditions of their permission. They cannot normally access public funds. Family applications should be planned carefully because evidence of relationship, residence, finances and timing can affect whether dependants are approved with the main applicant or need a separate strategy. ### Extension ## Can a Graduate Trainee Visa be extended or switched from inside the UK? The main applicant cannot extend a Graduate Trainee Visa from inside the UK. The main applicant also cannot switch into the Graduate Trainee route from inside the UK because the route requires overseas employment with the sponsor group immediately before the application. A fresh Graduate Trainee Visa application may be possible from outside the UK if the applicant still meets the route requirements and remains within the maximum permitted stay rules across the relevant Global Business Mobility and legacy intra-company routes. If the UK business wants the person to remain in the UK for longer-term work, a different immigration strategy may be needed. The most suitable option will depend on the role, sponsor position, salary, future employment plan and settlement objectives. A partner and dependent children can apply with or after the main applicant if they meet the relevant relationship, age, care and financial requirements. Their permission is usually linked to the main applicant’s permission. Dependent partners and children may normally work, study and travel, subject to the conditions of their permission. They cannot normally access public funds. Family applications should be planned carefully because evidence of relationship, residence, finances and timing can affect whether dependants are approved with the main applicant or need a separate strategy. ### Settlement ## Does the Graduate Trainee Visa lead to ILR? The Graduate Trainee Visa does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain. It is a temporary work route for a specific graduate training placement within an international business group. Time spent on this route does not usually count towards settlement under most long-term work routes. Applicants who want a long-term UK future should consider early whether a route such as Skilled Worker may become available later. Settlement planning should not be left until the visa is close to expiry. Early advice can help the employer and applicant decide whether the Graduate Trainee route is suitable or whether a different UK immigration pathway may be more appropriate. ### How we help ## How Immigration Visa Expert supports Graduate Trainee Visa applicants ## Build the application around sponsorship, training programme and salary evidence We help applicants, sponsors and overseas group employers structure the case around route eligibility, training programme fit, occupation code, salary, overseas employment evidence, dependants and future route planning. - sponsor review - CoS check - salary assessment - training programme - dependants - settlement planning Process ### Graduate Trainee Visa support pathway 1 #### Initial consultation We review the applicant profile, sponsor position, graduate programme and UK placement timeline. 2 #### Eligibility strategy We assess the 3-month overseas employment rule, occupation code, salary and route suitability. 3 #### Sponsor and CoS review We check whether the sponsorship record supports the role, training programme, salary and dates. 4 #### Evidence preparation We help organise employment, salary, financial, family and programme evidence in a clear case bundle. 5 #### Outcome planning We advise on dependants, travel timing, fresh applications from overseas and longer-term route planning. ## Ask Immigration Visa Expert Immigration Visa Experts to review your Graduate Trainee Visa case We can assess the sponsor, Certificate of Sponsorship, salary, occupation code, overseas employment evidence, maintenance funds, dependants and future immigration strategy before the application is submitted. [Book Consultation](#fluentform_5) [Request Document Review](#fluentform_5) ### FAQs ## Graduate Trainee Visa FAQs [What is a Graduate Trainee Visa?](#collapse-d64d1886addc5550b588) It is a temporary Global Business Mobility route for an overseas group employee who needs to complete a UK work placement as part of a structured graduate training programme leading to a senior management or specialist role. [Is the Graduate Trainee Visa the same as the Graduate Visa?](#collapse-1a593046addc5550b588) No. The Graduate Trainee Visa is a sponsored work route for an overseas group employee on a structured graduate training programme. The Graduate Visa is a separate route for eligible UK graduates who want to remain in the UK after completing eligible UK study. [Does a Graduate Trainee need a UK sponsor?](#collapse-c8785b16addc5550b588) Yes. The UK business must hold the correct sponsorship permission and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the UK placement. [How long must I have worked overseas before applying?](#collapse-1d2e7c66addc5550b588) The main applicant must have worked for the sponsor group outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before the application. [What is the salary requirement for a Graduate Trainee Visa?](#collapse-96193e06addc5550b588) The role must usually pay at least £27,300 per year or 70% of the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. Some health and education roles have different going-rate rules. [How long can I stay in the UK on a Graduate Trainee Visa?](#collapse-a0ded056addc5550b588) The visa is usually granted for the shorter of the Certificate of Sponsorship period plus 14 days or 12 months, subject to the wider maximum stay cap across relevant Global Business Mobility and legacy intra-company routes. [Can I switch to a Graduate Trainee Visa from inside the UK?](#collapse-5f423fc6addc5550b588) No. The main applicant cannot switch into this route from inside the UK because the route requires overseas employment with the sponsor group immediately before the application. [Can I extend a Graduate Trainee Visa?](#collapse-7a785786addc5550b588) No. The main applicant cannot extend this visa from inside the UK. A fresh application may be possible from outside the UK if the route requirements and maximum stay rules are met. [Can my family apply with me?](#collapse-35c8c1a6addc5550b588) A partner and dependent children may apply if they meet the relationship and financial requirements. Their permission is usually linked to the main applicant. [Does the Graduate Trainee Visa lead to ILR?](#collapse-6ed96146addc5550b588) No. This route does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain. A longer-term UK plan may require a different route, depending on the sponsor, role, salary and eligibility position. [How can Immigration Visa Expert help with a Graduate Trainee Visa?](#collapse-a84e9726addc5550b588) We can review route suitability, sponsor position, Certificate of Sponsorship details, salary, occupation code, overseas employment evidence, training programme evidence, maintenance funds, dependants and future route planning. ### Related guides ## Related UK immigration guides Related guide ## Senior or Specialist Worker For overseas group employees moving to a UK linked business in a senior or specialist role. [Read guide](#) Related guide ## UK Expansion Worker For overseas businesses sending senior staff to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. [Read guide](#) Related guide ## Secondment Worker For overseas workers seconded to the UK under a qualifying high-value contract or investment [Read guide](#) Related guide ## Service Supplier For overseas service providers and self-employed professionals delivering services under a qualifying contract. [Read guide](#) Related guide ## Sponsor Licence for Global Business Mobility For UK organisations that need the correct sponsor licence before assigning a mobility Certificate of Sponsorship. [Read guide](#) Related guide ## Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) For understanding healthcare surcharge costs across UK work visa routes and dependant applications. [Read guide](#) ## Ready to discuss a Graduate Trainee Visa? Speak to Immigration Visa Expert Immigration Visa Experts for advice on sponsorship, Certificate of Sponsorship details, salary, occupation code, overseas employment evidence, dependants and future UK immigration planning. ### Check Student visa status, course completion and timing ### Review CAS, identity, dependant, scholarship consent and translation evidence ### Plan switching from Graduate permission to Skilled Worker, Global Talent, family or another route ### Ask an Immigration Adviser Share your visa query and our team will guide you on the next step.