Senior or Specialist Worker Visa UK 

Moving to the UK for a long-term work placement is a significant step and it’s even more rewarding when your family can join you. The Senior or Specialist Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility route makes that possible. It allows senior professionals and specialists transferred from a foreign branch to a UK business to live and work here temporarily. While it does not provide a direct path to settlement, it offers generous work rights and flexibility and it supports bringing your partner and children so you all start your new life together.

This guide covers eligibility, what you can do in the UK, how to apply, the cost involved, and how your family can come too.

What Is the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is part of the Global Business Mobility scheme. It replaced the previous Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa for more senior employees. The goal is to make it easier for global organisations to move experienced staff or specialists to their UK branches.

It was not designed for long-term settlement, but rather for business assignments. You can stay in the UK for the duration of your assignment, take your family with you, and work for your UK sponsor in a specified role.

Who Can Apply for This Visa?

To qualify, you must be moving to the UK from an overseas branch of your organisation. In most cases, you must already be employed by the overseas entity and meet certain salary and role requirements.

Key Eligibility Requirements

• You must be currently employed by an overseas business that is linked to a UK organisation (the sponsor)
• You must have worked for the overseas company for at least 12 months, unless you are considered a high earner
• Your role must be eligible, appearing on the approved list for this route
• You must meet the salary threshold generally £48,500 per year, or £73,900 if you are a high earner transferring roles
• You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK employer

This visa applies to senior managers, leadership roles, or specialists with a particular skill or knowledge needed in the UK.

How Long Can You Stay on This Visa?

The time you can stay on a Senior or Specialist Worker visa depends on your sponsorship and your standing.

• You can stay up to 5 years initially, depending on your assignment
• High earners can stay up to 9 years, with the limit of 5 years in each 6 year block
• The UK sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship that determines the visa length
• If your assignment is extended, you can apply to extend your stay until you reach the permitted maximum

How to Apply for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

Applying is a joint effort between you and your UK sponsor. Here’s a step by step overview:

Step by Step Process

• UK sponsor issues your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• You apply online via the official UK Government portal
• You pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
• You upload supporting documents and attend a biometric appointment (fingerprints and photo)
• You wait for a decision, which may be processed more quickly using priority services

Required Documents

You will typically need:

• A valid passport
• The Certificate of Sponsorship reference
• Proof of ongoing employment with the overseas business
• Evidence of your salary details
• Tuberculosis test results, if you come from a listed country

Make sure your documents are translated into English if needed. Providing clear details will help avoid delays.

Visa Fees, IHS & Processing Times

Here’s a breakdown of the costs and how long your application might take:

Visa Fees

• Up to 3 years: £769 outside the UK & £885 inside the UK per person
• More than 3 years: £1,519 outside the UK & £1,751 inside the UKper person
• High earner discount may apply in some cases
• IHS: £1,035 per year, per applicant

The IHS gives you and your family access to NHS services while in the UK.

Processing Times

• If you apply from outside the UK, a decision usually takes around 3 weeks
• If switching within the UK, it may take around 8 weeks
• You can pay extra for faster priority services, where available

What You Can and Can’t Do on This Visa

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa offers a range of work and lifestyle freedoms, while some activities remain restricted.

You Can:

• Work for your UK sponsor in the specified role
• Study, though there may be certain limitations
• Travel in and out of the UK freely
• Bring dependants, such as spouse or children, with their own visa

You Cannot:

• Claim public funds, such as benefits or tax credits
• Take an additional job, unless your CoS allows it
• Apply for settlement (ILR) through this visa you must switch to another route

Switching Into or Out of This Route

Depending on your situation, you may need to change visa types either moving into or away from the Senior or Specialist visa.

Switching Into this Route

You can switch from certain visas without leaving the UK, such as:

• Skilled Worker visa

• Student visa
• Youth Mobility Scheme

However, some short-term visa categories are not eligible for switching.

Switching Out of this Route

If your goal is to stay in the UK long-term, you can switch to:

• Skilled Worker visa (if you get a sponsored job)
• Spouse visa if you marry a UK citizen or settled person
• Other visa categories such as Innovator or Start-up visas

Once you switch, you may start counting years toward ILR eligibility under the new visa route.

Can You Bring Dependants?

Yes. Part of what makes the Senior or Specialist Worker visa attractive is the benefit of family. You can bring your close relatives to the UK under the GBM dependant visa rules.

Who Can Come?

Your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (if together for 2+ years), and children (under 18 or over 18 but already dependants) may apply.

They receive visas that match your time in the UK and have the same rights to work and study.

Life for Dependants

Your family members can:

• Work in almost any role without needing sponsorship
• Study at school, college, or university
• Access NHS care after paying the health surcharge
• Travel without needing extra permission

They do not qualify for ILR unless they switch to a settlement-track visa.

FAQs – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa UK

What is the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

It is a visa under the Global Business Mobility route for senior staff and specialist employees being assigned from overseas to a UK branch of their company.

Can I get ILR on the Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

No, this visa does not lead directly to settlement. To stay long-term, you will need to switch to another visa route that qualifies for ILR.

How much do I need to earn for this visa?

You must earn at least £48,500 per year, or £73,900 if on the high earner scale.

Can I bring my family on this visa?

Yes. Your spouse or partner and your children can come with you as dependants and will have similar rights, learn more Dependants of Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is ideal for multinational companies relocating senior personnel or specialists to the UK. It provides clarity on work rights, allows family to join, and gives you time to set up life in the UK even if it does not immediately open the door to permanent residence.

If you are preparing for a long-term business assignment in the UK, this route offers a secure and flexible structure for both you and your loved ones.

Need Help Applying for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?

If your company is preparing a Global Business Mobility assignment or you’re handling the relocation process, our team can support you every step of the way.

Call 0161 464 4140 or Book an Appointment for FREE immigration advice.

We’ll guide you and your family through the application process and help make your UK move as smooth as possible.