The Global Business Mobility Visa UK (GBM visa) is a comprehensive visa category enabling multinational businesses to transfer skilled employees to their UK operations. Introduced in April 2022, the GBM framework encompasses five distinct routes covering senior managers, specialists, graduate trainees, service suppliers, and secondment workers. This complete guidance explains each route's requirements, the updated 2026 salary thresholds (£52,500 minimum for senior roles), visa fees, and importantly clarifies that GBM visas do not lead directly to UK settlement—though switching to other routes that do is possible.
Global Business Mobility Visa UK Guidance 2026
The Global Business Mobility Visa UK is the umbrella term for five visa routes designed for overseas businesses needing to deploy personnel to the UK temporarily. These routes replaced and consolidated several previous visa categories including the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa and Sole Representative visa in April 2022. Understanding which GBM route applies to your situation is essential, as each has distinct eligibility criteria, salary thresholds, and maximum stay durations.
What is the Global Business Mobility Visa?
The Global Business Mobility Visa is a UK work visa category for existing employees of overseas businesses being transferred to linked UK operations. It includes five routes: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker. These are temporary assignment visas that do not lead directly to UK settlement.
The GBM visa framework was introduced to streamline and modernize the UK's business immigration routes. All five routes share common features: they require sponsorship from a UK employer with a valid sponsor licence, applicants must generally have worked for the overseas business for at least 12 months, and there are no English language requirements—making these routes accessible to non-English-speaking professionals.
Key Features of All GBM Routes
- Sponsorship Required: UK employer must hold an appropriate sponsor licence
- Overseas Work: Generally 12 months employment with the sponsor group required
- No English Test: No mandatory English language proficiency requirement
- Temporary Nature: Designed for temporary assignments, not permanent migration
- Dependants Allowed: Partners and children can accompany visa holders
- No Settlement: GBM visas do not lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Overview of 5 Global Business Mobility Routes
The five GBM routes each serve distinct purposes. Choosing the correct route is critical—applying under the wrong category will result in refusal. Here's a comprehensive comparison:
How Long Can You Stay on a Global Business Mobility Visa?
Maximum stay depends on the route: Senior/Specialist Workers can stay up to 5 years in any 6-year period (or 9 years in 10 if earning £73,900+). Graduate Trainees are limited to 12 months. UK Expansion Workers and Secondment Workers can stay up to 2 years total. Service Suppliers vary by trade agreement (typically 6-12 months).
The maximum stay rules are cumulative across all GBM and previous Intra-Company Transfer visas. This means time spent under an old ICT visa counts toward your maximum GBM stay. After reaching the maximum, you must spend time outside the UK before becoming eligible for another GBM visa—typically 12 months for standard cases or 6 months for high earners.
Global Business Mobility Visa Salary Requirements 2026
Salary requirements vary by GBM route and were updated in July 2025. Understanding these thresholds is essential for successful applications.
What Are the Minimum Salary Requirements?
Senior/Specialist Workers and UK Expansion Workers must earn at least £52,500 per year or the going rate for their occupation code, whichever is higher. Graduate Trainees need £25,410 minimum or 70% of the going rate. Service Suppliers and Secondment Workers have no minimum salary but must meet their specific route requirements.
Going rates are published in Appendix Skilled Occupations and vary by occupation code. Your salary must meet both the minimum threshold AND the going rate for your specific role—whichever is higher applies. Salaries are pro-rated based on weekly working hours (maximum 48 hours counted).
Global Business Mobility Visa Fees and Costs 2026
GBM visa fees vary significantly by route and duration. Following the April 2025 increases, here are the current costs:
Additional Costs
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year (£776 for under 18s)
- Priority Service: +£500 (decision in 5 working days)
- Super Priority Service: +£1,000 (decision by next working day)
- Financial Requirement: £1,270 in personal funds (unless sponsor certifies)
- Dependant Applications: Same visa fee per dependant plus IHS
Standard processing time is approximately 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK and 8 weeks for in-country applications. Priority services are subject to availability at your visa application centre.
Does Global Business Mobility Visa Lead to Settlement (ILR)?
No, Global Business Mobility visas do not lead directly to settlement (ILR) in the UK. These routes are designed for temporary work assignments. However, GBM visa holders may be eligible to switch to a Skilled Worker visa, which does provide a pathway to settlement after 5 years of qualifying residence.
This is one of the most important distinctions between GBM visas and the Skilled Worker visa. While both require sponsorship and similar skill levels, only the Skilled Worker route leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain.
GBM vs Skilled Worker: Settlement Comparison
- GBM includes 5 routes for different business transfer scenarios
- Senior/Specialist Worker minimum salary is £52,500 (2026)
- No English language requirement for any GBM route
- GBM visas do NOT lead directly to settlement—switch to Skilled Worker if needed
- eVisa transition: all workers must use digital status by 31 December 2026
For detailed guidance on each route, see the official Immigration Rules Appendix Global Business Mobility or the gov.uk GBM overview page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Global Business Mobility Visa UK?
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visa is a UK visa category introduced in April 2022 that allows overseas businesses to transfer existing employees to linked UK operations for temporary work assignments. It encompasses five distinct routes: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker.
What are the 5 Global Business Mobility routes?
The five GBM routes are: (1) Senior or Specialist Worker for managers and specialists transferring to UK branches; (2) Graduate Trainee for structured management training programmes; (3) UK Expansion Worker for establishing new UK branches not yet trading; (4) Service Supplier for delivering services under trade agreements; and (5) Secondment Worker for high-value contract secondments worth £50 million or more.
Does the Global Business Mobility Visa lead to settlement (ILR)?
No, GBM visas do not lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). These routes are designed for temporary work assignments. However, GBM visa holders may switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK, which does provide a pathway to settlement after 5 years of qualifying residence.
What are the salary requirements for GBM visas in 2026?
Senior/Specialist Workers and UK Expansion Workers must earn at least £52,500 per year or the going rate for their occupation, whichever is higher. Graduate Trainees need £25,410 minimum or 70% of the going rate. High earners (£73,900+) are exempt from the 12-month overseas work requirement and can stay up to 9 years.
How much does a Global Business Mobility Visa cost?
GBM visa fees vary by route: Senior/Specialist Worker costs £769-£1,751 depending on duration and location of application. Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker visas cost £319 each. All applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year) plus optional priority processing fees (£500-£1,000).
How long can you stay in the UK on a GBM visa?
Maximum stay varies by route: Senior/Specialist Workers can stay up to 5 years in any 6-year period (9 years in 10 if earning £73,900+). Graduate Trainees are limited to 12 months. UK Expansion Workers and Secondment Workers can stay up to 2 years total. Service Suppliers vary by trade agreement, typically 6-12 months.
Can I switch from GBM to Skilled Worker visa?
Yes, GBM visa holders can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from within the UK, provided they meet all Skilled Worker requirements including the salary threshold and English language proficiency. However, time spent on a GBM visa does not count toward the 5-year qualifying period for ILR—only time under the Skilled Worker visa counts.
Do I need English language proficiency for GBM visas?
No, there are no English language requirements for any Global Business Mobility visa route. This makes GBM visas more accessible to non-English-speaking professionals compared to the Skilled Worker visa, which requires B1 level English proficiency. However, if you later switch to a Skilled Worker visa or apply for settlement, English requirements will apply.