Business immigration

Match the assignment to the route
before anyone moves.

Immigration planning for international organisations moving specialist workers into the UK.

GLOBAL BUSINESS MOBILITY

Global Business Mobility is a family of five temporary work routes for distinct international assignments. We identify the route from the commercial purpose, corporate relationship and worker profile, then coordinate the sponsor licence, Certificate of Sponsorship and visa evidence across the overseas and UK organisations.

Information reviewed4 September 2026

THE FIVE ROUTES

Each route solves a different cross-border business need.

The routes are not interchangeable. The UK entity’s trading position, its relationship or contract with the overseas organisation, the worker’s overseas employment and the purpose of the assignment determine which route can be used.

Senior or Specialist Worker

For a senior manager or specialist employee undertaking a temporary assignment with a UK business linked to their overseas employer, often as an intra-group transfer.

Graduate Trainee

For an overseas employee completing a UK work placement as part of a structured graduate training programme leading towards a senior management or specialist role.

UK Expansion Worker

For a senior manager or specialist employee sent to establish a UK branch or subsidiary before the overseas business has started actively trading in the UK.

Service Supplier

For an overseas contractual service supplier or eligible self-employed professional delivering services covered by a qualifying UK international trade commitment.

Secondment Worker

For an overseas employee seconded to a UK organisation in connection with a qualifying high-value contract or investment involving the overseas employer.

WHAT WE ASSESS

Six checks turn a mobility plan into a viable application.

Commercial purpose and route

We define what the worker will do in the UK and select the route that corresponds to the real assignment rather than the most familiar visa name.

Corporate link or qualifying agreement

Ownership and control, a services agreement, trade commitment or high-value contract is tested against the particular route requirements.

Sponsor licence and UK presence

The UK organisation’s licence coverage, rating and trading position are checked, including the special provisional arrangements for UK expansion.

Overseas work requirement

The worker’s employment or engagement outside the UK, its duration and any route-specific exception are verified before sponsorship.

Role, skill and salary

The occupation code, genuine assignment, duties, weekly hours, salary and applicable going rate are assessed under the chosen route.

Duration and future mobility

Maximum stay, previous time in relevant routes, dependants, costs and any future switch to a settlement-leading category are factored into the plan.

EVIDENCE PLANNING

Corporate and worker evidence must connect across borders.

We build a single evidence plan covering the qualifying business relationship, overseas employment, UK assignment, sponsorship and each accompanying family member.

Group and ownership evidence

Corporate records, accounts and ownership charts establishing the required relationship between the overseas employer and UK sponsor.

Contracts and trade arrangements

The underlying services, secondment, investment or client documentation required for routes based on a qualifying commercial agreement.

Overseas employment record

Employment confirmation, payslips, bank evidence and career history showing the worker’s role and qualifying service outside the UK.

UK assignment and salary

A detailed role description, organisation position, work location, hours and remuneration aligned with the occupation code and route.

Sponsor and certificate records

Licence details, route permission, Sponsor Management System records, payment evidence and an accurately completed Certificate of Sponsorship.

Worker and family documents

Identity, immigration history, maintenance, tuberculosis or ATAS evidence where applicable, plus relationship evidence for eligible dependants.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Useful questions
before you begin.

Is Global Business Mobility one visa?

No. It is a group of five routes: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker. Each has a different commercial purpose and eligibility framework.

Do the routes lead to settlement?

No. Global Business Mobility routes are temporary and do not themselves lead to settlement or count towards a route-specific points-based settlement period. A worker may be able to switch into another category if they meet its requirements.

Must the worker already be employed overseas?

The routes are designed for workers based outside the UK and normally include an overseas work requirement. The required relationship and period vary by route, with limited route-specific exceptions.

Can UK Expansion Worker be used after UK trading begins?

The route is intended for an overseas business that has not yet started actively trading in the UK. Once the UK business is trading, another route such as Senior or Specialist Worker may be more appropriate if its requirements are met.

Can a partner and children accompany the worker?

Eligible partners and children can generally apply as dependants. Each person needs a separate application and must meet the relationship, maintenance and other applicable requirements.

Would Skilled Worker be a better route?

It may be where the UK role is a longer-term hire and settlement is an objective. The decision should compare corporate purpose, salary, sponsorship costs, flexibility, maximum stay and the worker’s long-term plans before certificates are assigned.

General guidance

This page provides general introductory information, not advice on an individual matter. Immigration requirements and Home Office practice can change. Please contact the team for advice on your circumstances.

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