The Graduate Trainee Visa UK is part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route designed for international graduates on structured training programmes with multinational companies. This comprehensive guide covers the eligibility requirements, £319 application fee, £27,300 minimum salary threshold, and step-by-step application process for 2026. If your overseas employer has a UK branch and offers a graduate training programme leading to a managerial or specialist role, this visa allows you to complete your placement in the United Kingdom.
Understanding the UK Graduate Trainee Visa 2026
The Graduate Trainee Visa UK is one of five routes under the Global Business Mobility framework, which replaced the former Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) routes in April 2022. This visa enables multinational companies to transfer recent graduates from their overseas offices to their UK branch as part of a structured training programme designed to develop future leaders.
What is a Graduate Trainee Visa?
A Graduate Trainee Visa allows employees of overseas companies to come to the UK for a work placement as part of a structured graduate training programme. The visa lasts up to 12 months, requires a minimum salary of £27,300, and does not lead to settlement. Unlike other work visas, there is no English language requirement.
The Graduate Trainee route is specifically designed for individuals who have been recruited onto a company's graduate programme and need to complete part of their training at the UK office. The programme must lead to a senior management or specialist position within the organisation. This visa replaced the former Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa (previously Tier 2 Intra-company Transfer Graduate Trainee).
What Can You Do on a Graduate Trainee Visa?
- Work for your sponsor: In the job specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship only
- Study: You can take courses alongside your training programme
- Bring dependants: Your partner and children can apply to join you
- Travel: Leave and return to the UK during your visa validity
- Volunteer: Unpaid voluntary work for charities or public bodies
Graduate Trainee Visa UK Requirements 2026
To qualify for a Graduate Trainee Visa, you must meet specific eligibility criteria relating to your employment, the training programme, and financial requirements. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, there is no English language requirement for this route.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for the Graduate Trainee Visa?
You must be an existing employee of an overseas company linked to a UK sponsor, have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before applying, have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, hold a role on the eligible occupations list skilled to RQF Level 6, and be paid at least £27,300 or 70% of the going rate (whichever is higher).
- Employed by an overseas company linked to a UK sponsor with a GBM licence
- Worked for your employer outside the UK for 3 months immediately before applying
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer
- Job is on the eligible occupations list (RQF Level 6 or above)
- Salary at least £27,300 or 70% of the going rate (whichever is higher)
- Training programme leads to senior management or specialist role
- Applying from outside the UK (cannot switch from inside UK)
Salary Requirements for Graduate Trainee Visa 2026
The minimum salary for a Graduate Trainee visa is £27,300 per year, or 70% of the "going rate" for your specific occupation code—whichever is higher. Each occupation code has its own annual going rate published by the Home Office. If you work in healthcare or education, you must be paid the full going rate (not 70%) or £27,300, whichever is higher.
Graduate Trainee Visa Fees and Costs 2026
How Much Does a Graduate Trainee Visa Cost?
The Graduate Trainee visa application fee is £319. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year) and prove you have £1,270 in maintenance funds. Total cost for a 12-month visa is approximately £1,354. The Immigration Skills Charge does not apply to this route—a significant saving compared to the Skilled Worker visa.
For comprehensive information about all UK visa fees, including the latest fee updates, see our dedicated guide.
Graduate Trainee Visa Application Process
The application process for a Graduate Trainee visa begins with your employer issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. You must apply from outside the UK—you cannot switch to this visa from inside the country. Applications can be made up to 3 months before your intended start date.
How to Apply for a Graduate Trainee Visa
- Step 1: Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer with details of your training programme
- Step 2: Complete the online application on the gov.uk website
- Step 3: Pay the £319 application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
- Step 4: Prove your identity via the ID Check app or at a visa application centre
- Step 5: Submit supporting documents (passport, qualification certificates, proof of employment)
- Step 6: Await decision (typically 3 weeks for standard processing)
Documents Required for Graduate Trainee Visa
You'll need to provide comprehensive documentation to support your application. For general guidance on preparing your application, see our guide to UK visa supporting documents.
- Valid passport: With at least one blank page
- Certificate of Sponsorship: Reference number from your employer
- Proof of overseas employment: Payslips or employment contract showing 3+ months work
- Bank statements: Showing £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (unless exempt)
- Training programme details: Evidence of the structured programme
- TB test certificate: If applying from a listed country
For details on UK visa processing times, standard decisions take approximately 3 weeks from submission of your complete application.
Bringing Your Partner and Children to the UK
Graduate Trainee visa holders can bring their spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and dependent children to the UK. Each dependant must apply separately and meet specific eligibility requirements.
Financial Requirements for Dependants
In addition to your own maintenance requirement of £1,270, you must show additional funds for each dependant:
- Partner: Additional £285
- Each child: Additional £315
- Example: Main applicant + partner + 1 child = £1,270 + £285 + £315 = £1,870 total
Each dependant also pays the £319 visa fee and £1,035 IHS per year. If your sponsor can certify they will maintain and accommodate you and your dependants for the first month, the maintenance funds requirement is waived.
What Happens After Your Graduate Trainee Visa Ends?
The Graduate Trainee visa is a strictly temporary route with no direct path to settlement. You cannot extend your visa from inside the UK. If you wish to remain in the UK after your training programme, you must apply for a different visa category from outside the UK.
Options After Your Training Programme
- Skilled Worker visa: If your employer can sponsor you for a permanent role meeting salary thresholds
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa: For continued intra-company transfers (requires 12 months overseas work)
- Another Graduate Trainee visa: Apply from outside the UK for a new training programme
- Family visa: If you have family connections in the UK
- Application fee is £319 plus £1,035 IHS per year—no Immigration Skills Charge applies
- Minimum salary is £27,300 or 70% of the going rate for your occupation
- You must have worked for your overseas employer for 3 months before applying
- Maximum stay is 12 months—cannot be extended from inside the UK
- No English language requirement and no path to settlement on this route
For official guidance on the Graduate Trainee visa, visit the gov.uk Graduate Trainee visa page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a graduate trainee visa?
A Graduate Trainee visa is a UK work visa under the Global Business Mobility route that allows employees of overseas companies to come to the UK for a work placement as part of a structured training programme. The programme must lead to a senior management or specialist position. It allows stays of up to 12 months and requires a minimum salary of £27,300.
What is the minimum salary for a Graduate Trainee visa UK?
The minimum salary for a Graduate Trainee visa is £27,300 per year or 70% of the "going rate" for your specific occupation code—whichever is higher. If you work in healthcare or education, you must be paid the full going rate rather than 70%. Each occupation has its own going rate published in the Home Office guidelines.
Can I extend my Graduate Trainee visa?
No, you cannot extend a Graduate Trainee visa from inside the UK. The maximum stay is 12 months. If you wish to remain in the UK after your training programme, you must return to your home country and apply for a different visa category, such as a Skilled Worker visa or another Graduate Trainee visa for a new programme.
Can I switch to a Graduate Trainee visa from inside the UK?
No, you cannot switch to a Graduate Trainee visa from inside the UK. All Graduate Trainee visa applications must be made from outside the UK. This is because the eligibility requirement states you must have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before the application date.
What is the difference between Graduate Trainee and Senior or Specialist Worker visa?
The Graduate Trainee visa has lower requirements (£27,300 salary, 3 months prior work) but only allows 12-month stays with no in-country extensions. The Senior or Specialist Worker visa requires a higher salary (£48,500) and 12 months prior overseas work, but allows longer stays and can be extended from within the UK. Neither leads directly to settlement.
Can I bring my family on a Graduate Trainee visa?
Yes, your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner (if in a relationship for 2+ years), and dependent children can apply to join you in the UK. Each dependant must submit their own application, pay the £319 visa fee and IHS, and show additional maintenance funds (£285 for a partner, £315 per child). Their visa will end when yours does.
Is there an English language requirement for the Graduate Trainee visa?
No, unlike the Skilled Worker visa, there is no English language requirement for the Graduate Trainee visa. This makes it simpler to apply as you do not need to take an IELTS or other approved English language test. The same applies to all Global Business Mobility routes.
Does the Graduate Trainee visa lead to settlement in the UK?
No, the Graduate Trainee visa does not lead to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK. Time spent on this visa does not count towards the 5-year residence requirement. If you wish to settle in the UK, you would need to switch to a different visa category that does lead to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker visa.