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Global Business Mobility (GBM) Visas provide overseas businesses with various routes to operate in the UK. If your company transfers workers from the EU and other countries to the UK, or wishes to establish a presence here, it is important that you understand what is required of you and how to apply. Failure to make use of the correct visa routes could result in delays to business productivity, costing you time and money.
The immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are well versed in all visa routes in and out of the UK and have been providing specialist immigration advice and legal representation for more than 15 years. We will help you navigate the tricky compliance issues that surround immigration law to ensure you and your workers are permitted to work legally in the UK.
To speak to one of our solicitors about the Global Business Mobility Visa route, including which option is best for your business and how to make a successful application, call us on either 0044 161 234 6800 or 0044 207 046 7185. Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back.
GBM is a new set of sponsored routes to assist overseas businesses establish a presence in, or transfer workers to the UK. These routes replace previous business mobility provisions, such as the Intra-Company Transfer Visa and the Sole Representative Visa.
There are five immigration routes under the Global Business Mobility visa:
1. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
This route replaces the Intra-Company Transfer Visa and can be relied on to allow overseas workers – specifically senior managers or specialist employees – to work on temporary assignments at a business already established in the UK.
2. Graduate Trainee Visa
Under this route, overseas workers who are on a graduate training course for senior management or a specialist position and are required to take a work placement in the UK are able to be assigned here temporarily.
3. UK Expansion Worker Visa
This category allows overseas businesses to establish themselves in the UK by permitting senior/specialist employees to set up a branch or subsidiary. The UK Expansion Worker route has replaced the representative of an overseas business or sole representative category.
4. Service Supplier Visa
Workers suitable to apply for this visa route will either be contractual service suppliers employed by an overseas service provider, or self-employed professionals who are providing services covered by one of the UK’s international trade agreements.
5. Secondment Worker Visa
This is a new route for overseas workers who are seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment by their overseas employer.
All of the subcategories of the Global Business Mobility routes require the business to apply for a sponsor licence and must meet strict compliance and audit requirements.
The Global Business Mobility visa provides opportunities for international businesses, UK employers and individuals looking to work and do business in the UK. With the requirement for sponsorship, our immigration solicitors can help with the following:
At Latitude Law, we know how to handle complex immigration matters to ensure your business is able to expand into the UK with minimal disruption to your productivity. We can advise on the best routes to use for your business and help plan for your future immigration needs.
Our team has helped thought leaders, innovators and many business people to work and establish their businesses in the UK. We have a deep understanding of the law, immigration rules, and Home Office policies and guidance, which inform decisions related to this area of law.
This route covers a wide range of methods for overseas businesses and workers, and the specific purpose will depend on the subcategory to apply under. There are five types of workers that will benefit from this route, including:
The Home Office has said that to take the GBM route, UK employers need to hold a Home Office-issued sponsor licence. Therefore, UK businesses will be required to have systems in place to manage a sponsor licence and comply with the necessary duties related to reporting and recording.
None of the five routes under Global Business Mobility provide a path to settlement. To apply for settlement, individuals must switch onto a different immigration route, provided they meet the specific criteria for that route.
For advice on Global Business Mobility visas, including which route to take and how to make a successful application, contact Latitude Law today by calling 0044 161 234 6800 or 0044 207 046 7185. Alternatively, fill in our online enquiry form and we will call you back.
If you need help settling in the Entrepreneur route, Latitude Law's immigration solicitors can guide you through the strict eligibility and specified evidence requirements.
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All content on this page was reviewed by Latitude Law and is accurate as of 20/05/2022