A1.29 Senior or Specialist Worker Visa¶
Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility) – September 2025 Update
Official link: https://www.gov.uk/senior-specialist-worker-visa
Overview
Part of Global Business Mobility route
For intra-company transfers of senior management/specialist experts
Replaces former Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa
Temporary work visa (no settlement pathway)
Eligibility Requirements
All criteria must be met:
Employment:
Existing employee of multinational group
Employer must hold approved sponsor licence
Must have Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) with UK role details
Work Experience:
Salary <£73,900: ≥12 months employment overseas with same employer
Salary ≥£73,900: No minimum employment period
Job Role:
Must be on eligible occupations list:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-business-mobility-eligible-occupations-and-codesExcluded occupations: Artists, writers, actors, dancers, designers etc.
Salary:
£52,500/year OR going rate for role (whichever higher)
Check specific rates:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/global-business-mobility-going-rates-for-eligible-occupations
Visa Duration & Key Restrictions
Maximum Stay:
Single grant: Up to 5 years
Total limit:
Salary <£73,900: 5 years in any 6-year period
Salary ≥£73,900: 9 years in any 10-year period
Key Restrictions:
❌ No settlement pathway
❌ Cannot change employers
❌ Usually no second job (limited exceptions)
❌ Most public funds not accessible
Costs & Financial Requirements
Application Fees:
Outside UK: ≤3 years £769 / >3 years £1,519
Inside UK: ≤3 years £885 / >3 years £1,751
Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per person per year
Maintenance Funds:
£1,270 personal savings
Held for 28 consecutive days before application
Exempt if UK resident for 12+ months
Application Process & Documents
Required Documents:
Valid passport
CoS reference number
Job role and salary evidence
Overseas employment proof (payslips/bank statements)
Financial evidence
TB certificate (if required)
Processing Times:
Outside UK: ~3 weeks
Inside UK: ~8 weeks
Priority services available
Dependants
Eligible: Spouse/civil partner/unmarried partner/children under 18
Relationship evidence: Marriage/birth certificates or 2+ years cohabitation proof
Additional funds required:
Partner: £285
First child: £315
Each additional child: £200
Rights: Work (except professional sport) and study
Visa Renewal & Changes
Extensions: Possible within total stay limits
Role changes: Must update visa if SOC code changes
Supplementary work: ≤20 hours/week in same profession/shortage occupation
Important Notes
Creative arts roles (codes 3411-3414, 3422) no longer eligible
Student visa holders: Must complete course OR PhD with 24+ months study before switching
Travel restriction: Cannot leave Common Travel Area while application pending