UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa consultant in India

UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa consultant in India talks about the newly introduced ‘Global Business Mobility routes’

The Home Office UK had done some significant changes to the UK immigration rules for entrepreneurs and professionals, seeking opportunities to start their business/career in the UK.

One very popular business immigration route in the UK was the ‘Representative of an Overseas Business visa’ (also called as UK Sole Representative visa) which was unfortunately closed down from 11th April, 2022, for new applicants.
Instead, the Home Office launched a few new visas, amended some existing ones, and introduced a special category ‘Global Business Mobility’ which has 5 visas under it, that cater to business owners in the UK, overseas firms, and skilled professionals. These visas came into effect from 11th April, 2022.

Get in touch with The SmartMove2UK to know about these visas in detail. As a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa consultant in India, we accurately guide clients to set up their presence in the UK and the application process for the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa.

Update:
The UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa replaced the UK Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa – Long-term Staff visa, from 11th April 2022.

What is the Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK.
The worker must be a senior manager or specialist employee in that overseas company.
On this particular visa, an employee must be assigned to a UK business, which is linked to their overseas employer.
This type of assignment is often called an ‘Intra-Company Transfer’ or ICT.
The main applicant can be accompanied by a partner/children (under 18 years) to the UK on this visa.
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa does not permit settlement in the UK.

What are the eligibility criteria to apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

The eligibility for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa is listed below:

Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK employer,
Have worked for their employer outside the UK,
Do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations,
Be paid the minimum eligible salary required for that particular job role.

What are the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa salary requirements?

Under the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa requirements, these are the salary requirements of the visa:

The applicant must be paid at least £52,500 per year or the ‘going rate’ for that particular job role – whichever is higher.
Each occupation code has its own annual going rate.

What is the English language requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

A Senior or Specialist Worker visa applicant does not need to satisfy the English language requirement.

How can I get a Certificate of Sponsorship?

The UK-based employer – also known as a ‘Sponsor’ – must provide the applicant with a ‘Certificate of Sponsorship’ stating all the information regarding the job role for which the applicant is employed in the UK.
It’s an e-Certificate. That means, it is an electronic record and not a paper document.
The applicant will need the reference number from the Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for the visa.
The applicant is required to apply for the visa within 3 months of getting the Certificate of Sponsorship.

What documents will I need to apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

Documents required for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa are as follows:

A Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – given by the UK-based employer.
A valid passport to prove identity. The passport must have a blank page.
Job title and annual salary.
Job’s occupation code.
Name of the employer and their Sponsor Licence number – this is mentioned on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Evidence that the applicant has enough personal savings to support their stay in the UK. For example, bank statements.
Proof of relationship – partner or children (if they are applying along with the applicant).
Tuberculosis test results (if required).

How to apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

The applicant must apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa online.
Depending on the following circumstances the applicant can apply from;

Outside the UK to come to the UK.
Inside the UK and extend the current visa.
Inside the UK and switch from a different visa.

The applicant can include a partner and children (under 18 years) in the application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

How long can I stay in the UK on a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

An applicant can stay in the UK with a Senior or Specialist Worker visa for whichever is a shorter span:

The time mentioned on the Certificate of Sponsorship, plus 14 days.
5 years.
The applicant can apply to extend the visa or apply for another one, multiple times, up to the maximum total stay.
If an applicant is already in the UK on an Intra-company visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa, the applicant can then apply to extend their stay in the UK, by switching to a Senior or Specialist Worker visa

The maximum total stay allowed on a Senior and Specialist Worker visa is:

5 years in any 6-year period if the applicant is paid less than £73,900 a year.
9 years in any 10-year period if the applicant is paid £73,900 a year or more.

How long do I need to have worked for an employer outside the UK?

If an applicant earns less than £73,900 a year, then it might be required to show proof that the applicant has worked with the overseas company, outside the UK, for a period of at least 12 months.

How can I extend my Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

The applicant can apply to extend the Senior or Specialist Worker visa if all the following are true:

The applicant has the same job which he/she was given during previous permission to enter or stay in the UK.
The job is in the same occupation code as when the previous permission to enter or stay in the UK was granted.
The applicant is still working for the employer who gave them their current Certificate of Sponsorship.
The applicant has not reached the maximum total stay.
If the applicant changes the job/employer, it is then mandatory to apply to update the visa instead.
The applicant must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until a decision on the application is received. If done so, the application will be withdrawn.

How can I switch to a Senior or Specialist Worker visa from my current visa?

The applicant might be able to apply to change (switch) to a Senior or Specialist Worker visa if he/she is already in the UK on a different type of visa. However, the eligibility requirements must be met.

Who cannot apply to switch?

Individuals who are currently in the UK:

On a Visit visa,
On a Short-Term Student visa,
On a Parent of a Child Student visa,
On a Seasonal Worker visa,
On a Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa,
On immigration bail,
Permitted to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

The applicant is required to leave the UK and apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa from abroad if they come under any one of these categories.

How much does a Senior or Specialist Worker visa cost?

Cost of the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa:

Application fee:

If you’re applying from outside the UK, the fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

Up to 3 years – £769 per person,
More than 3 years – £1,519 per person.

If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

Up to 3 years – £885 per person,
More than 3 years – £1,751 per person.

Healthcare surcharge:

The applicant will also have to pay the Healthcare surcharge for each year of their stay – this is usually £1,035 per year.

Money the applicant must show to support their stay while in the UK:

The applicant must have at least £1,270 in the bank account to show that they can support their stay in the UK post their arrival in the country.

Did you know that if you meet the requirements, the UK Health & Care Worker visa also allows you to extend your stay in the country and apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement)? Read the article for more…

How long does it take to get a decision on the Senior or Specialist Worker visa application?

Once applied online, submitted identity proofs, and provided all relevant documents, the decision usually takes,

3 weeks, if applied from outside the UK.
8 weeks, if applied from inside the UK.

What is permitted/not permitted in the Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

With a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, the applicant can:

Work for their sponsor in the job described in the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Study.
Bring partner and children as ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
Do voluntary work.
Travel abroad and return to the UK.

The applicant cannot:

Apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.
Change jobs unless eligible and have updated the visa.
Have a second job – unless the applicant has previously had an Intra-Company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.
Apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’).

If the application is successful, the applicant gets a full list of what activities are permitted and not permitted on this visa.

How can The SmartMove2UK be of help for your Senior or Specialist Worker visa application?

The SmartMove2UK is a UK immigration law firm, established in 2009.
As a UK Expansion Worker visa consultant in India, our firm has a team of UK immigration solicitors and experts.

Our law firm was announced as the winner of IAE Corporate Immigration Law (India) award, in 2016.
We are recognized by Who’s Who Legal (WWL) as a Corporate Immigration Firm in 2016.
We take pride in being the members of prominent institutions like, The Law Society and Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa.

Our offices are located in India – Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.

We have been assisting clients from all over the world and our clientele is spread across 26+ countries, with 1,000 of success stories.

Our UK-qualified solicitors have the expertise of over 2 decades in providing Legal Advice for all UK immigration-related assistance.

We also offer Full Representation service and Filing Appeals for Refused applications.

You can get in touch with our UK immigration lawyer to book a consultation!

FAQ’s on Senior or Specialist Worker visa

What is UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is for overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK. The worker must be a senior manager or specialist employee in that overseas company. On this particular visa, an employee must be assigned to a UK business, which is linked to their overseas employer. This type of assignment is often called an ‘Intra-Company Transfer’ or ICT.
How does the new UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa differ from the old Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer visa?

The main difference between the 2 is, that the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa is initially granted for a duration of 5 years. Whereas, the old Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer visa was initially granted for a duration of 3 years.
Who can apply for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

Overseas workers who are undertaking temporary work assignments in the UK. The worker must be a senior manager or specialist employee in that overseas company.
How much is the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?
Cost of the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa:

Application fee:

If the applicant is applying from outside the UK, the fee depends on whether the applicant will be in the UK for:
- Up to 3 years – £625 per person,
- More than 3 years – £1,235 per person.
If the applicant is applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update the visa, the fee depends on whether the applicant will be in the UK for:
- Up to 3 years – £719 per person,
- More than 3 years – £1,423 per person.
What are the documents you’ll need to apply for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)?
The Documents required for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa are:
- A Certificate of Sponsorship reference number – given by the UK-based employer.
- A valid passport to prove identity. The passport must have a blank page.
- Job title and annual salary.
- Job’s occupation code.
- Name of the employer and their Sponsor Licence number – this is mentioned on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
- The UK Expansion Worker visa has Financial requirements too. The applicant has to submit the evidence that he/she has enough personal savings to support their stay in the UK. For example, bank statements.
- Proof of relationship – partner or children (if they are applying along with the applicant).
- Tuberculosis test results (if required).
What is the application process for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?
The applicant must apply for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa online.
Depending on the following circumstances, the applicant can apply from;
- Outside the UK to come to the UK.
- Inside the UK and extend the current visa.
- Inside the UK and switch from a different visa.
The applicant can include a partner and children (under 18 years) in the application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
Do you need sponsorship for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

Yes, a Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK employer is a mandatory requirement for the applicant to apply for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
How long you can stay in the UK on a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?
The maximum total stay allowed on a Senior and Specialist Worker visa is:
- 5 years in any 6-year period if the applicant is paid less than £73,900 a year.
- 9 years in any 10-year period if the applicant is paid £73,900 a year or more.
What kind of activities can I undertake in the UK as a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa holder?
With a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, the applicant can:
- Work for their sponsor in the job described in the Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Study.
- Bring partner and children as ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible.
- Do voluntary work.
- Travel abroad and return to the UK.
Can I bring my family with me on a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)?

The main applicant can be accompanied by a partner/children (under 18 years) to the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
Does the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa route lead to settlement in the UK?

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa does not permit settlement in the UK.

Watch our video on ‘What must you know about the UK’s soon launching Global Business Mobility visas?’

In this video. Mr. Hemang Laaher – Lawyer and Partner in The SmartMove2UK, explains ‘What is Global Mobility Business Visa’ & ‘Existing Visa Routes’.

UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa consultant in India