A Guide To Global Mobility Visas: Requirements, Benefits, and Application Tips

The UK Global mobility visa is a category of work visa introduced in April 2022 to encourage foreign businesses and skilled workers who wish to work or do business in the country.

There are 5 major options available; each with its own uses, eligibility requirements and application process.

If you are contemplating migrating into the UK in 2025, we’ve provided a comprehensive guide to help you understand and prepare for the immigration process from start to finish.

Consulting with an expert immigration lawyer will definitely come in handy but the information provided in this article is certain to give you a great head start. Good luck!

5 Categories of The Global Business Mobility Visa & Their Benefits 

Before you go ahead with the Global Mobility Visa route, here are a list of options available for you to explore – depending on your travel purpose and duration;

1. The Specialist or Senior Worker Visa

This category is perfect for foreign senior skilled employees that need to resume work in the UK branch of a company they have been working with overseas.

Benefits Are:

• Applicants can bring in their family or spouse to the UK 
• Duration of stay of up to 5 years with an opportunity to extend further 
• Foreign employees on a short-term task will not need to submit an evidence of proficiency in English language 
• Global businesses can leverage this to transfer their best talents to a UK branch.

2. The Graduate Trainee Visa

Like the name implies, this visa category is for foreign employees assigned to a graduate training program in a UK company.

It’s an opportunity for businesses to train and develop global talents that can bring growth to their organization.

Benefits Are:

• Quick and easy application process compared to other categories 
• Allows applicants to stay up to a year, which is often enough for the completion of most graduate trainee programs.
• The required salary threshold isn’t as high as other GBM visas
• It gives entry-level professionals an opportunity to gain valuable work experience.

3. The UK Expansion Worker Visa 

Businesses with a presence overseas that are considering setting up a branch in the UK can explore this GBM visa option to send in a staff representative and see how favourable the target market is to their business.

Benefits Are:

• Companies who have never set up on the UK can apply 
• It allows for a duration of stay of one year to company representatives sent to test the market and develop a business strategy.

4. The Service Supplier Visa

Any professional service provider who intends to offer their services to a UK company for a short term period can apply for this visa category.

Benefits Are:

• It allows for a duration of stay of up to 12 months for service suppliers.
• Service professionals are not limited to just one contractor during this period. They can take as many jobs.
• Helps and protects foreign service professionals under the international trade agreement 

5. The Secondment Worker Visa 

Foreign professionals of companies with a presence overseas can explore this GBM visa option if they wish to collaborate on important projects with a company in the UK.

Benefits Are:

• The duration of stay is determined by the length of the project about to be executed.
• It allows for international collaborations with UK businesses 
• Applicants do not need to provide a certificate of sponsorship 

Important Requirements For A Global Mobility Visa 

To apply for a Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa, here are the important requirements you must meet if you want to ensure a successful application process;

1. Skill Requirements 

Before you can be eligible for any of the Global Mobility Visa categories, you must make sure that you have the minimum experience and skill level for that option.

You must also be willing to provide evidence of professional certifications, academic degree or professional training where required.

2. Financial Requirements 

You must be ready to provide evidence of sufficient funds to support your stay in the UK with important documents such as bank statements.

Applicants are expected to have a minimum of £1,270 in savings for their duration of stay. Skilled workers employed by a UK company must also be on a minimum salary threshold recommended for their role. They must be on a range of £25,800 – £45,800 annually.

3. Sponsorship Requirements 

Skilled workers applying for a global mobility visa must provide a certificate of sponsorship issues by the UK company that has employed them.

However, for a company to be eligible to issue a certificate of sponsorship to an employee,  they must have a valid sponsor license showing that they have been approved to hire foreign talents into their UK business.

4. English Language Requirements 

Foreign skilled professionals who are nationals of non-English speaking countries or a part of the countries mandated to prove their proficiency in English must provide evidence that shows that they have adequate understanding of the English language and can easily converse in it. A minimum of B1 level pass in any of the recommended tests is enough to show this.

5. Document Requirements 

All the necessary documents required in the application process such as passports, application forms, sponsorships e.t.c must be complete, genuine, well translated in English and submitted in good condition.

6. Health Requirements 

It is important for every applicant to provide evidence of payment for the Immigration health surcharge and comply with all UK health regulations such as tests and insurance.

Read This Before Your Next Application Process – Application Tips For The Global Mobility Visa 

To ensure a successful application process, these tips will help you prepare from start to finish;

• Start your application early, at least 3 months before your travel date Incase of any delay in your application process.

• Request for a certificate of sponsorship from your UK employer and make sure it clearly states your job role.

• Make sure all documents are original, accurate with the Home Office checklist and properly translated in English language.

• Maintain clear communication with your immigration advisor, your employer and any requests made by the immigration office.

• Follow up and keep track of your application process.

The details provided in this guide have been curated to help you have a smooth application process for your Global Mobility Visa. Feel free to check for any recent updates on the Global Mobility Visa here.