What is the GBM Visa?
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is a set of UK work visas designed for overseas companies that need to send staff to the UK for specific business reasons. Think of it as a toolkit for international companies to transfer their employees. To use any of these visas, the employee must be sponsored by a UK-based part of the business.
The 5 Types of GBM Visas
The GBM visa is broken down into five different routes, each for a specific situation.
Senior or Specialist Worker
For senior managers or expert employees being transferred to a UK branch of the company.
Graduate Trainee
For employees on a training program who need to do a placement in the UK.
UK Expansion Worker
For senior employees sent to the UK to set up a new branch of the business.
Service Supplier
For overseas workers providing a service to a UK company under an international trade agreement.
Secondment Worker
For employees seconded to a UK company as part of a high-value contract or investment.
What are the Key Rules and Costs?
All GBM visas have certain rules and fees you need to be aware of.
- Prior Employment: In most cases, you must have worked for the overseas company for at least 12 months.
- Minimum Salary: You need to be paid at least £48,500 per year, or the "going rate" for your specific job, whichever is higher.
- Health Surcharge: You'll need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is about £1,035 for every year of your visa.
- Savings: You must have at least £1,270 in personal savings to support yourself when you arrive in the UK.
GBM Visa Application Fee Comparison
How Long Can You Stay? (And Can You Settle?)
A crucial point to understand is that all GBM visas are temporary. They do not lead directly to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK. The length of stay depends on the specific visa route.
Maximum Visa Duration by Route
No Direct Path to Settlement
Once you reach the maximum stay for your visa, you cannot extend it further. If you wish to stay in the UK long-term, you would need to switch to a different visa category that does lead to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker visa, before your GBM visa expires.