Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

If you need to travel to the UK to work at your employer's UK branch, you may qualify for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa. Professional guidance can help you manage the application process smoothly.

Important: This visa falls under the Global Business Mobility route and has replaced the former Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) or Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.

What is the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa in UK?

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa enables overseas employees to work in an eligible role at a UK branch of their current employer.

                Key Features:
                Designed for highly paid individuals in senior or specialist roles, such as executives and subject-matter experts
Falls under the Global Business Mobility route
Replaces the former Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa
Intended for temporary assignments only

              

Note: This visa does not lead directly to settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain, as holders are expected to return to their overseas employer. However, switching to another visa category that leads to settlement may be possible.

Do European nationals need a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein may not need this visa if they already hold lawful status in the UK.

EU Settlement Scheme:

Under Brexit arrangements, EU nationals who were living and working in the UK on or before 31 December 2020 may have been eligible for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Although the application deadline passed on 30 June 2021, late applications may still be accepted in limited circumstances. Those who do not qualify under the scheme and are not otherwise exempt will need to apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa like other non-visa nationals.

Who is eligible for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

Employer Sponsorship

Be employed by a Home Office-approved sponsor

Certificate of Sponsorship

Hold a valid CoS detailing your UK role

Eligible Occupation

Work in an eligible occupation

Salary Requirements

Earn at least £52,500/year or the going rate for your role

Overseas Employment Requirement

If salary is below £73,900: Must have worked for your employer overseas for at least 12 months
If salary is £73,900 or above: No minimum overseas employment requirement

Special Consideration: If you have been in the UK since before 6 April 2011 on an ICT visa, you may qualify with reduced salary requirements.

Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) Requirement for Senior or Specialist Worker visa

A Certificate of Sponsorship is an electronic document issued by your employer containing details of your UK role.

                CoS Requirements:
                Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence to issue a CoS
The reference number must be included in your visa application
CoS documents issued between 11 February and 11 April 2022 for the ICT route may still be valid
If salary doesn't meet £52,500 minimum, employer must increase it

              

Eligible jobs for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa in UK

You should confirm that your occupation code appears on the list of eligible roles, as stated on your CoS.

Most roles previously eligible under the ICT visa remain valid, although some occupations are excluded, including:

Excluded Occupations:

Artists (3411)
Authors, writers and translators (3412)
Actors, entertainers and presenters (3413)
Dancers and choreographers (3414)
Product, clothing and related designers (3422)

Note: If you are already in the UK in one of these roles under another Global Business Mobility route, you may be able to extend your visa. However, changing jobs may require switching to a different visa category.

Financial requirements for the Senior or Special Worker visa

Applicants must show at least £1,270 in personal savings, held for 28 consecutive days and ending within 31 days of the application date.

Alternative Options:

Employer Certification: Your employer may certify maintenance on your behalf, covering costs up to £1,270
Waiver: Requirement is waived if you have been in the UK on another valid visa for at least 12 months

Evidence may include bank statements or confirmation within your CoS.

Genuine job requirement for Senior or Specialist Worker visa

The Home Office must be satisfied that the role you are sponsored for is genuine.

Applications may be refused if:

The job does not exist
It was created solely for immigration purposes
It involves working for a third-party organisation unrelated to your sponsor

Salary requirements for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa

You must earn at least £52,500 per year or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher.

Salary Calculation:

Includes basic pay (up to 48 hours per week)
Includes guaranteed allowances
If you have lived in the UK since before 6 April 2011 on an ICT route, only the going rate applies

Documents for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa application

You may need to submit:

A valid passport or travel document
Job title, occupation code, and salary details
Certificate of Sponsorship
Evidence of meeting the financial requirement
TB test results, if applicable
Proof of overseas employment if earning under £73,900
ATAS certificate for sensitive research roles

How to apply for the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

The application process includes:

1

Receive Certificate of Sponsorship

Obtain a valid CoS from your employer

2

Prepare Supporting Documents

Gather all required evidence and documentation

3

Submit Online Application

Apply via gov.uk within three months of receiving your CoS

4

Pay Required Fees

Pay application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge

5

Attend Biometric Appointment

Visit a visa centre or use the UK ID Check app

6

Await Decision

Typically takes 3–8 weeks

7

Travel to the UK

Once your visa is approved

Application Cost for Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

Fees depend on visa duration and location of application:

Application Location	Duration	Fee
From outside the UK	Up to 3 years	£769
From outside the UK	Over 3 years	£1,519
From inside the UK	Up to 3 years	£885
From inside the UK	Over 3 years	£1,751

Additional Cost: The Immigration Health Surcharge is usually £1,035 per year.

Processing Time for Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

Decisions typically take:

                From outside the UK: Around 3 weeks
From within the UK: Up to 8 weeks

Note: Delays may occur if documents are incomplete or additional checks are required.

What is the cost of sponsoring a senior or specialist worker?

Sponsorship costs may range from £2,893 to £5,386 per year and include:

Sponsor licence fee
Immigration Skills Charge
Certificate of Sponsorship fee (£525)
Visa application fee
Immigration Health Surcharge

The Immigration Skills Charge varies based on organisation size and visa length.

Switching to the Senior or Specialist Worker visa in UK

Eligible applicants already in the UK may switch without leaving, provided they are not on restricted visa types such as:

Visit visas
Short-term student visas
Immigration bail

Student Exception: Students may switch if they have completed their course or studied a PhD for at least 24 months.

Switching fees and processing times are similar to standard applications. Applicants must remain in the UK while awaiting a decision.

Dependant application process of senior or specialist workers

Eligible dependants, such as partners and children, may apply separately.

                Requirements for Dependants:
                Proof of relationship
Evidence of financial support
Biometric data submission
Compliance with visa conditions

              

Validity period of the GBM Senior or Specialist Worker visa

Visas are granted for up to five years or the CoS duration plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

Maximum Stay Limits:

If earning under £73,900: Five years in six years
If earning £73,900 or more: Nine years in ten years

Time spent on other Global Business Mobility routes may count toward the maximum stay.

Change employers on a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

You must apply to update your visa if your job role or occupation code changes.

Important: The new role must be with the same employer or a linked organisation and meet all eligibility requirements.

How to extend your UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

You may extend your visa if:

You remain in the same role and occupation code
You continue working for the same sponsoring employer
You have not exceeded the maximum permitted stay

Extensions are applied for online, with fees matching those for switching visas.

How Our Immigration Experts Can Help

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa process involves complex requirements and strict eligibility criteria. Our experienced immigration team provides comprehensive support throughout your application journey.

                Our Services Include:
                Eligibility Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation of your qualifications and employment history
Employer Guidance: Assistance with sponsor licence applications and CoS issuance
Document Preparation: Guidance on gathering and organizing required evidence
Application Management: Complete handling of your visa application from start to finish
Compliance Support: Advice on maintaining visa conditions and extending your stay
Dependant Applications: Assistance with family member visa applications

              

Why Choose Us: With years of experience in business immigration, we understand the specific requirements of the Senior or Specialist Worker route and can help ensure your application meets all Home Office criteria, increasing your chances of approval and minimizing processing delays.

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

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