The Global Business Mobility visa is a category of sponsored route into the UK which rolled out in 2022. The route is not only new but also complicated. It essentially combines and expands several existing business visas into a multi-category sponsored route. We know how daunting these processes can be, especially when they’re replacing procedures you may already be familiar with. With many variations of eligibility requirements and many different forms to complete - it is a lot to take in. Moreover, you deserve clarity, and that's what we can provide at A Y & J Solicitors. We’ll walk you through the steps required to access this useful route allowing you to plan for the future with confidence.
At A Y & J Solicitors in London, we’re experts in Global Business Mobility immigration routes. We’ve got a long history of helping candidates move to the UK without any issues. Additionally, we offer practical, comprehensive legal advice and can quickly identify and remedy any flaws in your application. We know how costly mistakes in your application can be – in terms of both money and time – and that’s why you can count on us to be there every step of the way when you’re moving your business to the UK.
Avinaash Reddy
The Global Business Mobility visa is a new category of sponsored route. Companies looking to establish a presence in the UK, secure a contract with an overseas provider, or relocate employees for specific business objectives often consider this route. In fact, these businesses are typically the best fit for the available sponsorship options. In particular, this option suits businesses aiming for a structured and compliant way to expand their operations in the UK. These new visa routes rolled out on 11th April 2022. Essentially, the new route created a multi-category sponsored route that reformed and expanded on several existing business visas, including the two types of Intra-Company visas, the Representative of an Overseas Business visa, and Temporary Work – International Agreement route visas for contractual service providers and independent professionals. Moreover, it also opened up a whole new path for international workers to be sent to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment by their overseas parent company. We, at A Y & J Solicitors are experienced in assisting businesses with successful Global Mobility visa applications. Contact our team for support.
We are specialists in immigration law and have supported more than 4,000 business owners and professionals around the globe to successfully navigate the UK system. We work quickly, always responding to any queries within 24 working hours. And we work closely with the Home Office to pre-empt issues before they jeopardise sponsorship applications or breach compliance. We manage all United Kingdom immigration matters including visa applications under the new points-based immigration system, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Spouse Visas, nationality and more. We also handle complex cases of appeal, administrative reviews, judicial reviews and the many immigration challenges involving European Union law and human rights.
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A Y & J Solicitors has more than 1,200 positive client reviews online, including Google, and is listed in The Legal top 500 best UK law firms, so you can rest assured your immigration challenges are in safe hands when you take these three simple steps:
As a multi-award-winning law firm recommended by The Legal 500 with over a decade of specialised immigration experience, we create the gold standard and benchmark in expertise, authority, and credibility to get the desired results. Moreover, this result driven approach has created an overall record of 5,000+ successful immigration and visa applications, enabling the companies and individuals to be confident that their visa process is in experienced hands committed to their success.
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We take pride in being featured and officially accredited by top business, immigration, and legal platforms. Our work continuously meets the highest criteria of trust, credibility, and results, earning us major accolades and high-level media attention. These accolades are more than just badges; they serve as evidence that clients are in capable, safe hands when they choose us.
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"When I started the processes with Ikra, I remembered the tortoise and hare story by Aesop, so slowly they are progressing my application. Despite my request to speed up the processes, my application still does not accelerate. After two weeks of documentation and drafting the application, they submitted it to HMRC for decision. Ikra's much appreciated work has resulted in a decision from HMRC being made in less than 24 hours. Though the hare ran fast, the winner was the tortoise. Ikra is the winner on my application, just like the tortoise. I am grateful for your excellent and helpful assistance."
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"I would recommend and work with A Y & J again, my team, Ashu, Surabhi and Diana was very professional, informative and kind. They are always available and approachable. Thank you for the assistance on my complicated visa matter, which were dealt with again; professionalism and kindness. And all the challenges were dealt swiftly as well. Highly recommend and thank you so much!"
"I am very happy with the service of AY & J solicitors, thank you especially to Nagina Hanif for being patient with us and for for being fast responsive, I felt the visa I applied was quiet complicated but Nagina guided me through every step, and this has made it possible and finally the visa is granted.Thank you to the entire team of Ay & J solicitors."
"Ikra Ahmed helped me with Skilled worker visa. She is faster than light!! Much Appreciated!!! Thanks Ikra!!!!"
Since 2020, A Y & J Solicitors has handled over hundreds of successful Global Business Mobility cases, making it a renowned leader in UK immigration law. Each case that we take is handled with meticulous professionalism by our experienced team, meeting every requirement and providing the highest possible likelihood of approval.
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) route allows overseas businesses to send workers to the UK for specific business purposes, like expanding operations or delivering services. It includes five visa types tailored to different roles, all requiring sponsorship.
Now part of the GBM route, it lets global companies transfer staff to the UK without proving a local labour shortage. It supports fast, flexible relocation.
For most Senior or Specialist Worker visas, the minimum salary is £48,500 or £41,500 for certain exceptions whichever is higher than the going rate.
This generally refers to the movement of employees across countries for work assignments. In the UK, it aligns with the Global Business Mobility visa framework.
For foreign enterprises wishing to create a UK presence or relocate workers to the UK, the Global Business Mobility visa offers five options:
Note:
Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, and Secondment Worker routes require your overseas business to be linked (by ownership or control) to a UK sponsor—i.e., you already hold a GBM sponsor licence.
UK Expansion Worker is for companies without a UK presence wanting to establish one.
Service Supplier does not require group linkage; it covers contractual service suppliers or independent professionals delivering under a UK trade agreement
In practice, the new method combines the previous Intra-Company Transfer, Intra-Company Graduate Trainee, Overseas Business Representative, and International Agreement visas. Only UK expansion personnel and secondments (to use the new language) demonstrate major differences among the five paths.
The Migration Advisory Committee’s suggestion that Intra-Company Transfer visa holders (now Senior or Specialist Workers) be allowed to settle in the UK was not implemented.
There will be five distinct Global Business Mobility routes, each of which corresponds to a different form of temporary job assignment, such as:
Each of these paths has different qualifying conditions, such as a financial requirement and, when appropriate, the production of a valid TB certificate. The GBM routes have no English language requirement.
Minimum salary: £48,500 per year or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher.
Long-service exemption: No minimum salary if you held a qualifying ICT or GBM visa since before 6 April 2011 (but you must still meet the going rate).
Minimum overseas service: 12 months outside the UK if earning below £73,900; no service requirement if above that “high earner” threshold.
Maximum stay:
Up to 5 years in any 6-year period if earning below £73,900;
Up to 9 years in any 10-year period if earning £73,900 or more.
Extension/end: Permission valid until the shorter of 5 years from the job start date, 14 days after job end, or hitting the cumulative cap.
The UK Expansion Worker route is for foreign employees who want to work in the UK on a temporary basis and who are either senior managers or specialised employees who are being deployed to the UK to help with the company’s expansion.
This visa route replaced the Representative of an Overseas Business route, and it can only be utilised if the company hasn’t started operations in the UK. Workers should apply through the Senior or Specialist Worker route if the company already has a presence in the UK.
An applicant must meet the following requirements to be considered for this route:
The candidate will have to satisfy the financial requirement – showing proof of funds of at least £1,270 for the main applicant, in addition to £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for the first dependent child and £200 for any other child.
Minimum salary: £25,410 per year or 70% of the occupation’s going rate (100% for healthcare/education), whichever is higher.
Service requirement: At least 3 months with your overseas employer on a structured graduate training programme.
Maximum stay: Up to 12 months initially, extendable up to a 5-year cumulative cap with all GBM routes.
Purpose: For workers seconded under a high-value contract or investment by their overseas employer.
Service requirement: At least 12 months with a foreign employer that holds a registered contract with your UK sponsor.
Minimum skill: At least a graduate-level role (SOC skill level 6).
Maximum stay: Up to 12 months per assignment, with a 5-year cumulative cap across GBM routes, not 2 years
Contractual service suppliers hired by foreign service providers, as well as self-employed independent professionals residing abroad, who want to work in the UK on a temporary basis to deliver services covered by a UK international trade agreement. The Contractual Service Suppliers and Independent Professionals route was replaced by this route.
An applicant must meet the following requirements to be considered for this route:
Under the terms of a Global Business Mobility visa, applicants may be accompanied or joined by a partner and any dependent children. The dependants of the primary visa holder must meet the eligibility standards, including relationship and financial requirements, in order to receive a positive decision.
We are committed to not only supporting you with your Global Business Mobility visa application but also to ensuring your long-term compliance with all Home Office standards. Despite the Home Office’s strict application of the rules, we continue to be effective in developing up-to-date compliance practices for our clients, in light of the ever-changing requirements
We give total ‘hand-holding’ assistance, resulting in peace of mind and certainty of positive results. All areas of sponsorship are covered by our services.
With more than 5,000 successful immigration cases behind us, A Y & J Solicitors is known for its reliable service and real results. For over ten years, we’ve supported individuals and companies through sponsor licence applications, visas, and settlement routes with care and attention to detail. While recognition from The Legal 500 matters, our real achievement is the trust our clients place in us. When you use us, you receive clear guidance, practical advice, and a team of lawyers who actually have your back.
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