--- title: "UK Global Business Mobility Visa" url: https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/uk-global-business-mobility-visa/ type: page date: 2024-02-15 modified: 2026-10-25 markdown_url: https://immigrationvisaexpert.com/uk-global-business-mobility-visa.md author: "T Shah" --- # UK Global Business Mobility Visa [Home](https://immigrationvisaexpert.com) # UK Global Business Mobility Visa The Global Business Mobility framework contains five temporary sponsored work routes for overseas businesses that need to move existing workers, trainees, service professionals or secondees to the UK for a defined business purpose. [Book a GBM Consultation](#contact) ## Quick route check Identify the correct Global Business Mobility route before sponsorship is assigned. ### Existing overseas worker? ### UK sponsor structure ready? ### Correct GBM route selected? ### Long-term UK plan considered? [Ask an Adviser](#contact) Book Consultation Overview 5 Routes 2026 Updates Eligibility Fees Dependants Extension ILR How We Help FAQs Overview ## What is the UK Global Business Mobility Visa? Global Business Mobility is not one single visa. It is a group of five sponsored routes designed for overseas businesses that need to send workers to the UK temporarily for a specific commercial purpose. The framework covers intra-group assignments, graduate placements, establishment of a new UK branch or subsidiary, qualifying international service contracts and high-value secondments. Every route has its own sponsor, overseas-employment, role, salary or contract requirements. Choosing the wrong route can create problems before the visa application is even prepared. Immigration Visa Expert can review the overseas business, UK sponsor structure, assignment purpose, worker history and longer-term plan to identify the most suitable route. Five routes ## Which Global Business Mobility route is right for your assignment? ### Senior or Specialist Worker For senior managers or specialist employees being assigned by an overseas group company to a linked UK business. **Salary:** normally £52,500 or the going rate**Overseas work:** usually 12 months unless high earner[Senior or Specialist Worker Visa](/senior-specialist-worker-visa-global-business-mobility/) ### Graduate Trainee For an existing overseas employee completing a UK placement as part of a structured graduate programme leading to a senior or specialist role. **Salary:** normally £27,300 or 70% of going rate**Overseas work:** 3 months immediately before applying[Graduate Trainee Visa](/post-study-graduate-trainee-global-business-mobility/) ### UK Expansion Worker For a senior manager or specialist employee sent to establish a UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK. **Salary:** normally £52,500 or the going rate**Maximum route stay:** normally 2 years[UK Expansion Worker Visa](/expansion-worker-visa-global-business-mobility/) ### Service Supplier For an overseas contractual service supplier or self-employed professional delivering services covered by a qualifying international trade agreement. **Contract:** qualifying trade agreement required**Experience:** usually at least 12 months relevant activity[Service Supplier Visa](/uk-service-supplier-visa/) ### Secondment Worker For an existing employee of an overseas organisation being seconded to the UK as part of a qualifying high-value contract or investment with the UK sponsor. **Contract:** qualifying arrangement normally worth at least £50 million**2026 rule:** overseas employment reduced to 6 months for new applications from 8 April 2026[Secondment Worker Visa](/secondment-worker-visa-global-business-mobility/) Latest position ## What changed for Global Business Mobility in 2026? ### Secondment work history reduced For new Secondment Worker applications made from 8 April 2026, the normal overseas employment period is 6 months rather than 12 months. ### Current salary position Senior or Specialist Worker and UK Expansion Worker roles normally require at least £52,500 or the applicable going rate. Graduate Trainee roles normally require £27,300 or 70% of the going rate. ### Current application fees Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker applications currently cost £340. Senior or Specialist Worker fees are higher and depend on the length and location of the application. ### Still temporary routes All five GBM routes remain temporary sponsored work routes and none directly leads to settlement. Eligibility ## What are the common Global Business Mobility requirements? ### Approved sponsorship The UK organisation must be authorised for the relevant Global Business Mobility route and assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. ### Existing overseas relationship Most routes require the worker to already be employed by, or professionally linked to, the relevant overseas organisation before the UK assignment. ### Eligible role or service The job, occupation code, training placement, service contract or secondment must fit the selected route. ### Salary or contract rules Some routes use salary thresholds and going rates; others focus more heavily on contract, trade-agreement or professional-experience requirements. ### Maintenance funds The main applicant normally needs £1,270 unless an exemption or valid sponsor-certified maintenance applies. ### Temporary intention GBM permission is linked to a temporary assignment and is subject to route-specific maximum stay limits. Documents ## What evidence is usually important for a GBM application? The document bundle should prove more than identity. It should show why the selected route fits the business arrangement, sponsor, worker and assignment. ### Sponsorship evidence Certificate of Sponsorship details, sponsor route, assignment dates and role information should be consistent. ### Overseas employment Employment records, payroll evidence and group relationship documents may be important depending on the route. ### Role or contract evidence Occupation code, salary, training programme, trade agreement or high-value contract evidence should match the route selected. ### Need the route and evidence checked before sponsorship is assigned? We can review the business structure, worker history, sponsor position and assignment evidence before the visa application is prepared. [Request Case Review](#contact) Fees and funds ## How much does a Global Business Mobility Visa cost? ### Most GBM routes £340 per applicant. Current fee for Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker applications. ### Senior or Specialist Worker Outside UK: £819 up to 3 years; £1,618 over 3 years. Eligible in-country applications currently have higher fee levels. ### Immigration Health Surcharge Usually £1,035 per year for an adult applicant. Calculated separately according to the period of permission. ### Main applicant maintenance Usually £1,270. Evidence may not be required where an exemption or valid sponsor certification applies. ### Dependant maintenance £285 partner, £315 first child, £200 each additional child. Applies where maintenance evidence is required. ### Other case costs Case-dependent. Priority processing, translations, tuberculosis testing and professional advice may add to the overall cost. Dependants ## Can family members come to the UK under Global Business Mobility? A qualifying partner and dependent children can usually apply with or after the main applicant on all five Global Business Mobility routes, provided the relationship, age, care and financial requirements are met. Family applications should be planned together where possible. Relationship evidence, maintenance funds, timing and the main applicant's route length can affect the dependant strategy. Extension and switching ## Can a Global Business Mobility Visa be extended or switched? Extension and switching rules differ significantly between the five routes. Senior or Specialist Worker, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker may allow eligible in-country extensions or route changes, subject to route-specific conditions and maximum stay limits. Graduate Trainee is more restrictive: the main applicant cannot normally extend or switch into that route from inside the UK and must meet the overseas-work requirement immediately before a new application. Before extending, changing role or moving to another route, the sponsor, occupation code, salary, assignment, cumulative GBM time and longer-term objective should be reviewed together. Settlement ## Does Global Business Mobility lead to ILR? No. None of the five Global Business Mobility routes directly leads to indefinite leave to remain, and time spent on these routes does not normally count toward settlement under another sponsored points-based work route. For workers who want a long-term UK future, early route planning is important. Depending on the circumstances, a later move to Skilled Worker or another settlement-capable category may need to be considered. How we help ## How Immigration Visa Expert supports Global Business Mobility cases ### Choose the correct route before building the application We review the overseas business, UK sponsor, worker background, commercial arrangement and future plans so the sponsorship and application strategy start from the right GBM route. route assessmentsponsor reviewCoS checksalary reviewcontract analysisdependantsProcess ### Global Business Mobility support pathway 1 #### Business & worker review We identify the business purpose, sponsor structure and worker profile. 2 #### Route selection We assess which of the five GBM routes best fits the assignment. 3 #### Sponsor & CoS review We check sponsorship, role, contract, salary and assignment details. 4 #### Evidence preparation We structure employment, business, financial and family evidence. 5 #### Future planning We advise on dependants, extension, switching and long-term UK options. FAQs ## Global Business Mobility Visa FAQs What is the UK Global Business Mobility visa?Global Business Mobility is a group of five temporary sponsored work routes for overseas businesses that need to send workers to the UK for a specific assignment, expansion project, graduate placement, qualifying service contract or high-value secondment. What are the five Global Business Mobility routes?The five routes are Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker. Which Global Business Mobility route should I apply for?The correct route depends on the overseas business, UK sponsor structure, worker history and the purpose of the UK assignment. The route should be identified before sponsorship is assigned. Does every Global Business Mobility applicant need sponsorship?Yes. Each route is sponsor-led and requires a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK organisation authorised for the relevant route. What is the difference between Global Business Mobility and Skilled Worker?Global Business Mobility is designed for temporary business assignments linked to an overseas organisation, while Skilled Worker is a separate sponsored work route with different eligibility and settlement rules. Can dependants apply under Global Business Mobility?A qualifying partner and dependent children can usually apply with or after the main applicant, subject to the relevant relationship and financial requirements. Does Global Business Mobility lead to ILR?No. The Global Business Mobility routes do not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain, so workers with long-term UK plans should consider future route strategy early. How much is a Global Business Mobility visa?Costs vary by route and application circumstances. Application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge and any maintenance requirement should be checked for the specific route before applying. How long does a Global Business Mobility visa take?Decision times depend on the route and whether the application is made inside or outside the UK. Many eligible work-route applications are decided within the standard published processing windows. Can I switch into Global Business Mobility from inside the UK?This depends on the selected GBM route and the applicant's current immigration status. Some routes allow eligible in-country applications, while others are more restrictive. What changed for Secondment Workers in 2026?For applications made from 8 April 2026, the normal overseas employment requirement for Secondment Workers reduced from 12 months to 6 months. How can Immigration Visa Expert help with Global Business Mobility?We can assess the correct route, sponsor structure, Certificate of Sponsorship, overseas employment history, role or contract requirements, dependants and longer-term immigration strategy before an application is prepared. Related guides ## Explore each Global Business Mobility route ### Senior or Specialist Worker For senior managers and specialist employees assigned to a linked UK business. [View Senior or Specialist Worker](/senior-specialist-worker-visa-global-business-mobility/) ### Graduate Trainee For structured UK graduate training placements within an international group. [View Graduate Trainee](/post-study-graduate-trainee-global-business-mobility/) ### UK Expansion Worker For senior or specialist staff establishing a new UK branch or subsidiary. [View UK Expansion Worker](/expansion-worker-visa-global-business-mobility/) ### Service Supplier For qualifying trade-agreement service contracts and independent professionals. [View Service Supplier](/uk-service-supplier-visa/) ### Secondment Worker For workers seconded under a qualifying high-value contract or investment. [View Secondment Worker](/secondment-worker-visa-global-business-mobility/) ### Sponsor Licence For UK organisations that need the correct sponsor permission before assigning workers. [Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence](/sponsor-licence-for-global-business-mobility/) Book consultation ## Need help choosing the correct Global Business Mobility route? Speak to Immigration Visa Expert for route assessment, sponsor and Certificate of Sponsorship review, evidence strategy, dependant planning and longer-term UK immigration advice. [Book Consultation](/contact-us/)[Call 020 3911 1115](tel:02039111115) ### Ask an immigration adviser Share your Global Business Mobility query and we will guide you on the next step.