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A Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job at your employer’s UK branch.

This visa has replaced the Intra-company Transfer visa, previously the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.

Eligibility

To qualify for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, you must:

• be an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor
• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the work you will do in the UK
• do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• be paid at least £48,500 per year

Check if you’re eligible.

How long you can stay

You can stay in the UK with a Senior or Specialist Worker visa for whichever is shorter of:

• the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
• 5 years

You can apply to extend your visa or apply for another one as many times as you like up to the maximum total stay.

The maximum total stay allowed for a Senior and Specialist Worker visa is:

• 5 years in any 6 year period if you’re paid less than £73,900 a year
• 9 years in any 10 year period if you’re paid £73,900 a year or more

Any time you spend in the UK on one of the following visas will be included in your maximum total stay:

• Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
• Intra-company Transfer visa
• Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
• UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

If you had a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa before 6 April 2011

You can stay in the UK for as long as your employer is sponsoring you if you’ve been in the UK since 6 April 2011 on any of the following visas:

• Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa
• Intra-company Transfer visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

There is no maximum stay.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

• outside the UK and are coming to the UK
• inside the UK and you want to extend your stay as a Senior or Specialist Worker
• inside the UK and switching from a different visa

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

• pay the application fee
• pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
• prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much it costs.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

What you can and cannot do

With a Senior or Specialist Worker visa you can:

• work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
• study
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• do voluntary work

Any voluntary work you do must be unpaid and for one of the following:

• a registered charity
• a voluntary organisation 
• an associated fundraising body (an organisation that raises money for a charity or voluntary organisation)
• a statutory body (a government-appointed body, for example Historic England)

You cannot:

• apply for most benefits, public funds, or the State Pension
• change jobs unless you are eligible and you update your visa
• have a second job - unless you’ve previously had an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long term Staff visa
• apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’)

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Senior or Specialist Worker visa.

To be eligible for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa you need to:

• have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer
• have worked for your employer outside the UK
• do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job

Getting a certificate of sponsorship

Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ with information about the work you will do in the UK. It’s an electronic record, not a paper document.

You’ll need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.

How long you need to have worked for your employer outside the UK

If you’re earning less than £73,900 a year you must have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months.

If you’re earning £73,900 a year or more, there is no minimum time requirement.

Check if your job is eligible

Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. You can get this from your employer or your certificate of sponsorship.

When you know your occupation code, check list of eligible occupations to see if it’s eligible for your visa type.

If you’ve previously had an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa

The following occupation codes have been removed from the list of eligible occupations for this visa:

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

If you’re already sponsored in one of these occupation codes you can continue working in your job until your visa expires. You can also extend your visa to continue working in the exact same job.

If you do not want to continue working in one of the occupations above, you can switch your job if it is on the list of eligible occupations. If your job changes you must apply to update your visa.

Salary requirements

You must be paid at least £48,500 or the ‘going rate’ for your job - whichever is higher.

Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.

If you had a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa before 6 April 2011

There is no salary requirement if you’ve been in the UK since 6 April 2011 on any of the following visas:

• Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa
• Intra-company Transfer visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

You must still be paid the ‘going rate’ for your job.

When you apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to:

• pay the application fee - the standard fee ranges from £769 to £1,751 depending on your circumstances
• pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually £1,035 per year
• support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)

You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.

Application fee

If you’re applying from outside the UK, the fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £769 per person
• more than 3 years - £1,519 per person

If you’re applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update your visa, the fee depends on whether you’ll be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £885 per person
• more than 3 years - £1,751 per person

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK. 

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless either:

• you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more
• your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

If your employer can support you instead

Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

When you apply you’ll need to provide:

• your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this
• a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
• your job title and annual salary
• your job’s occupation code
• the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number - this will be on your certificate of sponsorship
• evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you)
• proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you
• your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country

Other documents you might need

Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide:

• evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK
• a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher

You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to give your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre. You’ll be told if you need to do this when you apply.

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

Evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK

If you earn less than £73,900 a year you might be asked to show you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months.

If you’re asked, you’ll need to show you’ve been paid by your employer over this time period. You can provide:

• printed payslips
• online payslips supported by a letter from your sponsor signed by a senior staff member
• bank or building society statements
• a building society pass book

If you earn £73,900 a year or more, there is no minimum time requirement.

You must apply online for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa.

Check which documents you’ll need to apply.

Proving your identity

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

• the visa application centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
• you may have to travel to get to your nearest centre (this could be in another country)

Apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back in to your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

If your partner or child’s application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child’s parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child’s visa will end on the earlier date.

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
• your child over 18 if they currently have permission (‘leave to enter’ or ‘leave to remain’) to be in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove one of the following:

• you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
• you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
• you’ve been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you’re working or studying in different places, or it’s not accepted in your culture

If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:

• communicate regularly with each other
• support each other financially
• care for any children you have together
• spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events

If your child is 16 or over

They must:

• live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)
• not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children
• be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:

• a bank statement
• credit card bills
• driving licence
• NHS registration document
• an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner or children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of the date you or they apply for this visa.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

• you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months
• your employer can cover your family’s costs during your first month in the UK - this must be confirmed on your certificate of sponsorship

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than one year.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

They’ll also need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity from outside the UK

As part of an application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. They’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

If they do need an appointment:

• the visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application
• they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country)

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa)

If you extend or switch your visa, your partner or child’s current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to extend or switch their visa, either:

• at the same time as you
• at any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either:

• completed the course they were sponsored to study
• studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

How to apply

The application form will tell you if you can include your partner and children in your application or whether they need to apply separately.

If your partner or child apply separately, they’ll need to either:

They’ll need your application number - you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity from inside the UK

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. They’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document - they’ll also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can . You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

What your partner or child can and cannot do

Your partner or child can:

• work, except as a sportsperson or coach
• study
• travel abroad and return to the UK

They cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.

If their application is successful, they’ll get a full list of what they can and cannot do.

You can usually apply to extend your Senior or Specialist Worker visa from inside the UK if all of the following are true:

• you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
• your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
• you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
• you have not reached the maximum total stay

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

If you previously an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa

There are different rules if you want to extend your visa and you previously had an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.

If you’re an artist, author, actor, dancer or designer

The following occupation codes have been removed from the list of eligible occupations for this visa:

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

If you’re already sponsored to do a job with one of these occupation codes, you can extend your visa if you are working in the exact same job.

You cannot:

• change to another job in the same occupation code
• change to another job in one of the other occupation codes that have been removed from the list of eligible jobs

Taking on additional work

You can do additional paid work as long as you’re still doing the job you’re being sponsored for.

You can work up to 20 hours a week in a job that’s either:

• in the same occupation code and at the same level as your main job
• on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list

If your job changes

You’ll need to apply to update your visa.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to extend your Senior or Specialist Worker visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back in to your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

You’ll need to apply to update your Senior or Specialist Worker visa if your job changes to a different occupation code.

You must have the same employer or be employed by an organisation that is owned by your employer.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

If you previously had an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa

The following occupation codes have been removed from the list of eligible occupations for this visa:

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

You cannot change jobs if both are true:

• you’re sponsored to do a job with one of these occupation codes
• you want to continue working in a job with one of these occupation codes

If you want to change your job and work in one of the occupations above, you may be eligible for a different UK visa.

If you do not want to continue working in one of the occupations in the table, you can apply to update your visa. Your new job must be on the list of eligible occupations.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

You’ll also need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken. There’s no fee for this.

Eligibility and documents you’ll need to apply

Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship.

You’ll only need to provide other evidence again if you’ve been in the UK for less than one year.

When to apply to update your visa

You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.

You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered - as long as you apply before your current visa expires.

You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You’ll be told how to do this when you apply. You’ll also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to.

Apply to update your Senior or Specialist Worker visa

You must apply online.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back in to your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Senior or Specialist Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements.

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

Switching from a Student visa

If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must meet eligibility requirements and one of the following must apply:

• you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
• your job start date is after your course has finished
• you’re studying for a PhD full time, and have been for at least 24 months

Who cannot apply to switch

You cannot apply to switch to a Senior or Specialist Worker visa if you’re currently in the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

You must leave the UK and apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories.

Fees

Check how much it costs.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to switch to a Senior or Specialist Worker visa

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back in to your application if you’ve saved it.

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

• your supporting documents need to be verified
• you need to attend an interview
• of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.