UK Immigration Route Guide
Global Business Mobility Visas UK
Expert guidance on all UK Global Business Mobility visa routes. Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker and Specialist Worker. Apply with confidence.
Three specialist routes for international business expansion. Our IAA-regulated advisers will guide you from eligibility assessment to visa approval.
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Three routes for intra-company transfers and international expansion
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What Are Global Business Mobility Visas?
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa routes are a suite of UK immigration pathways introduced on 11 April 2022, designed to enable multinational businesses to bring overseas employees to work in the United Kingdom. Whether your company is sending senior specialists to an existing UK office, dispatching graduates for structured training programmes, or setting up a brand-new UK branch for the first time, there is a dedicated GBM route to support your business goals.
Unlike the general Skilled Worker route, Global Business Mobility visas are specifically tailored for intra-company transfers and international business expansion. All GBM routes are sponsored, meaning the UK employer or the newly establishing UK entity must hold a valid Home Office sponsor licence for the relevant GBM category before any visa application can proceed. For official guidance on sponsoring a worker, see Sponsor a worker on GOV.UK.
Intra-Company Transfers Only
GBM routes are exclusively for employees moving within a multinational group to a linked UK entity. The worker must have an existing employment relationship with the sponsoring overseas business.
Sponsor Licence Required
The UK employer must hold a valid Home Office sponsor licence for the specific GBM category before any Certificate of Sponsorship can be assigned and any visa application submitted.
No English Language Test
None of the Global Business Mobility visa routes require applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency, unlike the Skilled Worker route which requires CEFR Level B2 from January 2026.
These routes are temporary in nature and do not lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, workers who transition to a qualifying route such as the Skilled Worker visa may be able to build towards settlement in the future. In most cases, the maximum cumulative stay across GBM routes is five years in any six-year period.
At Work Permit Cloud, our immigration advisors are regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA) and have helped businesses of all sizes navigate the full spectrum of GBM visa categories. We guide both employers and individual applicants through every step, from assessing eligibility and obtaining or updating a sponsor licence, to preparing the certificate of sponsorship and submitting a watertight visa application.
Explore the three Global Business Mobility services we offer below, and click through to the relevant page to learn about eligibility requirements, salary thresholds, and how to get started. Once your worker is in the UK, our UKVI Compliant HR Software helps you stay on top of your ongoing sponsor compliance obligations. For the official government overview, visit the Global Business Mobility visas page on GOV.UK.
Explore Our Services
Our Global Business Mobility Services
Three specialist visa routes for intra-company transfers and international business expansion
01
UK Expansion Worker visa
Transfer experienced senior managers or highly specialised employees from your overseas operation to your existing UK business. This is the most widely used Global Business Mobility pathway, replacing the former Intra-Company Transfer route.
Find Out More02
Graduate Trainee Visa
Bring overseas employees to your UK branch as part of a structured graduate training programme leading to a managerial or specialist role. Ideal for businesses developing future leaders across international offices.
Find Out More03
Specialist Worker Visa
Ready to establish a UK presence? This route allows you to send a senior manager or specialist worker to set up and develop your new UK branch or subsidiary, with up to five workers permitted simultaneously.
Find Out MoreNot sure which GBM route applies to you?
Our advisers will assess your situation and recommend the most appropriate route.
Our Simple Process
How Our Global Business Mobility Service Works
From the first eligibility check to visa approval and beyond, we manage every stage for you
01
Get in Touch
Contact our team to tell us about the worker you want to sponsor, the type of business transfer planned, and the UK role involved. We will identify which GBM route fits your situation.
02
Eligibility Assessment
We review the worker's profile, overseas employment history, the UK role description, and salary against the current thresholds to confirm eligibility and flag any issues before submission.
03
Licence and Application
We prepare or update the sponsor licence, assign the Certificate of Sponsorship correctly, and build the complete visa application bundle with all supporting documents.
04
Approval and Compliance
Once the visa is approved, we support you with ongoing sponsor compliance duties, Sponsor Management System reporting, and any follow-up requirements from the Home Office.
Ready to sponsor a Global Business Mobility worker?
Get in touch today for a free initial assessment.
What Our Client Saying
MD Abdul Khalik Shahib
Google review · 5★
I'm very happy to share that I received my visa approval today for a 2-year extension. A huge thank you to my solicitor for the excellent support, professionalism, and guidance throughout the entire process. Everything was handled smoothly, and I truly appreciated the clear communication and dedication from start to finish. I highly recommend their service to anyone looking for reliable and professional immigration support.
Ahsane Elahi
Google review · 5★
I am incredibly grateful to Work Permit Cloud for their outstanding assistance with my visa process. A massive thank you to Mamun, who was an absolute lifesaver. He tolerated me over the weeks with unmatched patience, calmly and warmly answering every single one of my calls and messages. Highly recommend this company and their phenomenal team!
Im-mr Zakaria
Trustpilot · 5★
Alhamdulillah i got my visa extension thank you very much WPC for helped me and with me throughout this journey. My visa was about to expired before getting an additional cos but you guys took the responsibility and did all the paper work and take the risk and eventually got succeed. Thanks a bunch guys.
FAQ
Common questions
What are the Global Business Mobility visa routes in the UK?
The UK Global Business Mobility (GBM) framework, introduced in April 2022, consists of five immigration routes: the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (replacing the Intra-Company Transfer), the Graduate Trainee Visa, the UK Expansion Worker Visa, the Service Supplier Visa, and the UK Secondment Worker Visa. Work Permit Cloud advises on the three most commonly used routes. For full details visit the Global Business Mobility visas page on GOV.UK.
Do Global Business Mobility visas lead to settlement (ILR) in the UK?
No. Global Business Mobility visas are temporary routes and do not lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Time spent on GBM routes does not count towards the Skilled Worker ILR qualifying period. Workers who wish to settle in the UK long-term will typically need to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa from a UK employer and complete a qualifying period on that route.
What is the maximum time you can spend in the UK on GBM routes?
The standard maximum cumulative stay across all Global Business Mobility routes, and the predecessor Intra-Company Transfer categories, is five years in any six-year period. An extended limit of nine years in any ten-year period applies to higher-earning Senior or Specialist Workers who meet the relevant salary threshold.
Does a business need a sponsor licence for Global Business Mobility visas?
Yes. The UK employer must hold a valid Home Office sponsor licence for the specific GBM category being used before any Certificate of Sponsorship can be assigned and any visa application submitted. For official guidance see Sponsor a worker on GOV.UK. Work Permit Cloud can assist with sponsor licence applications for all GBM categories.
What is the difference between the GBM routes and the Skilled Worker Visa?
The Skilled Worker Visa is a general work route open to any eligible overseas worker with a UK job offer, and it leads to ILR after five years. Global Business Mobility routes are specifically designed for intra-company transfers. The worker must have an existing employment relationship with the overseas business. GBM routes are temporary and do not lead to settlement. They are also exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test and, for the Graduate Trainee route, the Immigration Skills Charge.
Is English language required for GBM visas?
No. None of the Global Business Mobility visa routes require applicants to demonstrate English language proficiency. This contrasts with the Skilled Worker Visa, which requires CEFR Level B2 English from January 2026.
Can GBM visa holders bring their family to the UK?
Yes. Eligible dependent family members, including a spouse or civil partner and children under 18, can apply to join or accompany a GBM visa holder in the UK, provided the relevant financial and relationship requirements are met. Each dependent family member submits a separate visa application.
Have more questions about Global Business Mobility visas?
Speak to one of our IAA-regulated advisers for expert guidance.
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