What Is Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visa?
Just when businesses have adapted to the visa application routes for sending overseas workers to the UK, a new system was introduced: the Global Business Mobility routes. In this article, we take an in-depth look at part of the new ruleset, the difference between this new Visa and the Skilled Worker Visa, which Visa has replaced, and who qualifies.
We also introduce ourselves at Synergy Immigration Solutions and tell you what we can do to help improve your chances of gaining a visa.
What is Global Business Mobility?
The Global Business Mobility Visa is a combined category of sponsored routes for overseas businesses seeking to establish presence in the UK, or to transfer staff for specific business purposes.
The Global Business Mobility visa is for those working for an overseas business that has links to a UK branch, such as senior or specialist employees, graduate trainees and expansion workers, as well as service suppliers, independent professionals and secondment workers.
Global Business Mobility Visa vs Intra Company Transfer Visa
Global Mobility Visa has replaced the old Tier 2 ICT Visa.
What is ICT Visa? This was the vsa before Global Business Mobility that allowed workers who’s company have UK branches an opportunity to work in the company’s UK branch. You may still see ICT used in place to GBM, but it will be phased out and is no longer recognised as a visa.
Who is eligible for Global Business Mobility?
So, who is eligible for ICT, now known as Global Business Mobility- Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?
In order to qualify for a Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration:
- You are aged 18 or over;
- You are currently working for a business or organisation that is linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control or by a joint venture on which you are sponsored to work;
- You have worked outside the UK for the linked business or organisation for a cumulative period of at least 12 months unless you are a high earner earning £73,900 per year or more;
- You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor for the job you are planning to do;
- The job you are planning to do is genuine;
- The job you are planning to do is skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent);
- Your salary will be equal to or exceed both £45,800 per year and the ‘going rate for the job;
- Your UK sponsor has paid any required Immigration Skills Charge;
- You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds;
- You have provided a valid TB certificate if required.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy may vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to us at Synergy Immigration Solutions for help and support.
What’s the difference between a Skilled Worker Visa and Global Business Mobility Visa?
So, this begs the question: why not use a Skilled Worker Visa instead of a GBM – Senior or Specialist worker visa? A skilled worked Visa allows foreign workers to come to the UK for work from a pre-approved employer with a sponsorship licence, so why not use this route?
Well, the main advantage that the GBM – Senior or Specialist Worker visa now offers over a Skilled Worker visa is that it has no English language skill requirement. To be approved for a skilled worker visa, you must prove your proficiency in English; for the GBM, this isn’t a requirement.
For GBM, this route is suitable for a higher level of employment than the Skilled Worker Visa, as the minimum salary for GBM Visa is far higher than that for the Skilled Worker Visa. You’re also required to have worked for the organisation for 12 months before before applying unless you’re being paid a UK package of £73,900+, whereas for a Skilled Worker Visa, this isn’t necessary.
How long is Global Business Mobility valid?
So, how long is GBM valid? With a global mobility visa, you can stay in the UK for 12 months after the start date on your job certificate, and this is something you need to keep in mind when you’re trying to prepare for your Visa. You can also extend your Visa by 12 months, meaning that the maximum stay you can enjoy on a global mobility visa is 2 years.
The maximum time you can stay in the UK on a Global Business Mobility visa is two years, but this will differ depending on the replacement ICT visa you apply for. These visas are only intended for temporary work, so if your role is replaced by a permanent one of your type of contract changes, you should let your immigration specialist know.
One of the most common questions we get asked is how Global Mobility visas affect obtaining indefinite leave to remain, otherwise known as ILR, within the UK. With any Tier 2 visa, you may be eligible to apply for ILR as long as you have worked in the UK for more than five years, meet the salary requirements and if your official sponsor needs you to remain in the UK.
As a standard Global Business Mobility visa lasts for around two years, you will need to have an extension granted promptly to be eligible. This is something that our team at Synergy Immigration can advise you on. Contact us for help, support and advice.
Does Global Business Mobility lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain?
If you’re looking into GBM as a route to ILR, here is everything you need to know about training in the UK. One of the most common questions we get asked is how Global Mobility visas affect obtaining indefinite leave to remain, otherwise known as ILR, within the UK. With any form of Tier 2 visa, you may well be eligible to apply for ILR as long as you have worked in the UK for more than five years, meet the salary requirements and if your official sponsor needs you to remain in the UK.
To be clear, the Global Business Mobility routes won’t provide a direct pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, those who came to the UK on a GBM may be able to switch to a different visa that does provide a direct route to ILR.
Indefinite leave to remain means you can settle in the UK. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can then use your ILR to apply for British Citizenship.
There are many different routes to applying for ILR. If you’re in the UK for one of the followings reasons or visas, you may be able to apply:
- If you’ve lived and worked in the UK for 5 years on a skilled worker visa or a family visa such as a Spouse visa
- If you have a tier 1 visa, you can apply after 2 or 3 years
- If you have an Innovator Founder or Global Talent visa, you can apply after 3 years
So, if you live and work in the UK via one of the Global Business Mobility routes, this will not lead you down a direct path to indefinite leave to remain; however, once in the UK, you may be able to switch visas to one that will by following one of the pathways above.
Why choose Synergy Immigration Solutions?
Synergy Immigration Solutions is one of the leading names in the world of immigration service providers, and we are perfectly placed to be able to help you secure the Visa you need. If you are serious about being able to get the perfect global business mobility visa, it is important to ensure you have all the right boxes ticked. At Synergy Immigration Solutions, our team of professionals is going to help you make the right choices.
If you are looking to gain the right visa opportunity, we can help you improve your chances. Making sure you improve your visa application as much as possible is really important as it can be tough to be accepted. We can hold your hand through the process and put you in the best position possible to get the visa you need. Get in touch with our team of professionals in order to ensure you meet all of the eligibility requirements.
