Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: Guide 2024-2025

Understanding the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Route

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa enables multinational organisations to transfer skilled employees to their UK operations. This visa category, introduced as part of the post-Brexit immigration system, replaced the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) route and represents a key component of the UK’s Global Business Mobility framework.

At Axis Solicitors, we regularly assist businesses and individuals with Senior or Specialist Worker visa applications. This guide outlines the fundamental requirements, eligibility criteria, and application procedures essential for a successful application.

Key Points:

Designed for overseas employees transferring to UK subsidiaries or branches
Part of the Global Business Mobility framework
Requires specific sponsor licensing
Duration dependent on salary thresholds
Does not lead directly to settlement

Whether you are an HR professional managing international transfers or an employee considering a UK assignment, understanding these requirements is important for navigating the application process successfully.

Our specialist immigration team provides bespoke guidance throughout the application journey, ensuring compliance with current Home Office requirements whilst optimising the likelihood of approval.

For personalised advice on your specific circumstances, we invite you to contact our dedicated business immigration team. Our solicitors can assess your eligibility and guide you through each step of the application process.

What is the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is a dedicated immigration route for overseas employees transferring to linked UK businesses. As one of five categories within the Global Business Mobility (GBM) framework, this visa enables multinational organisations to deploy key personnel to their UK operations.

This route specifically caters to:

Senior managers or specialist employees
Workers transferring from overseas entities to UK-linked businesses
Employees undertaking temporary assignments in the UK
Personnel with specialist knowledge essential to the UK operation

The visa forms part of the UK’s broader strategy to facilitate international business mobility whilst maintaining immigration control.

It sits alongside other GBM categories including:

This route recognises the need for multinational businesses to move talent efficiently across borders while ensuring appropriate immigration oversight. For organisations operating globally, this visa provides a structured pathway for transferring essential personnel to their UK operations.

What the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Allows?

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa enables overseas employees to work in the UK in their sponsored role. The initial visa duration typically matches the length of their assignment, with an additional 14-day grace period.

Whilst in the UK, visa holders can:

Live with their dependent family members
Travel freely in and out of the country
Pursue educational opportunities, provided these do not interfere with their sponsored employment

The maximum permitted stay varies according to salary:

For those earning less than £73,900 per annum: up to 5 years in any 6-year period (including combined time under both Global Business Mobility and Intra-Company Transfer routes)
For high earners (£73,900+ per annum): up to 9 years in any 10-year period

It is important to note that this visa category does not lead directly to settlement (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK. However, visa holders may have the option to switch to alternative immigration routes that do offer a path to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker visa.

Who Can Sponsor a Senior or Specialist Worker?

To sponsor an overseas employee under this route, organisations must first obtain a valid sponsor licence from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). This licence grants the legal authority to employ senior managers and specialist staff transferring from overseas operations.

Upon UKVI approval as a licensed sponsor, the organisation can issue Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to prospective employees, enabling them to proceed with their visa applications.

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Requirements

To qualify for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, applicants must be aged 18 or over and meet specific criteria across multiple categories. Successful applications must score 60 points, allocated across three key areas:

Sponsorship (20 points)
Job skill level (20 points)
Salary threshold (20 points)

Eligibility Requirements

Sponsorship and Employment

Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK-licensed sponsor
Be currently employed by a linked overseas employer
Meet the minimum overseas work requirement (where applicable)
Take up a role listed within UKVI’s eligible occupations

Financial Criteria

Meet the minimum salary threshold for the specific role
Demonstrate sufficient funds for initial maintenance in the UK (where applicable)

Health Requirements

Provide a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if applying from a listed country

Sponsorship Requirement

To secure the mandatory 20 points for sponsorship, applicants must meet two core requirements:

Certificate of Sponsorship

The applicant must possess a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that includes:

The applicant’s full name
Confirmation of senior or specialist worker status
Detailed job description and salary
Job start date (within 3 months of application)
Evidence of required overseas employment with the sponsor group (except for high earners)

Sponsor Requirements

The UK sponsor must:

Hold current Home Office authorisation to sponsor senior or specialist workers
Have paid the Immigration Skills Charge in full, where applicable

Overseas Work Requirement

Standard Applicants

Applicants earning less than £73,900 per annum must:

Be currently employed by a linked overseas employer
Have completed a minimum of 12 months’ service with that employer

High Earners

Applicants earning £73,900 or more per annum:

Must be employed by a linked overseas business at the time of application
Are exempt from the minimum service requirement

Genuine Employment

The Home Office must be satisfied that:

The job offer represents genuine employment
The role is not created solely to facilitate a visa application
The position is directly with the sponsor, not a third party
The work does not constitute the provision of contracted routine services

Job Requirement

Skill Level and Eligibility

To secure the required 20 points for job skill level, applicants must:

Be sponsored for a role that appears on the Home Office’s list of eligible occupations for Global Business Mobility routes
Meet or exceed the minimum skill threshold for senior or specialist workers

Occupation Code Assessment

The Home Office will verify that:

The selected occupation code accurately reflects the role
The code has not been chosen to circumvent eligibility requirements
The code has not been selected to avoid higher salary thresholds

Role Verification

The Home Office will evaluate:

The genuine business need for the position
The applicant’s relevant skills, qualifications and experience
The sponsor’s history of immigration compliance, including salary payments to sponsored workers

Salary Requirement

Minimum Salary Thresholds

Applicants must be paid the higher of:

The general salary threshold of £48,500 per annum
The occupation-specific ‘going rate’ as specified by the Home Office

Going Rate Assessment

Each occupation code has a designated annual rate, which can be found in the Home Office’s going rates table for eligible occupations.

Examples of Application

Chief Executives and Senior Officials (Code 1111)

Going rate: £54,700 per annum
Required salary: £54,700 (as going rate exceeds general threshold)

Charitable Organisation Managers (Code 1135)

Going rate: £45,500 per annum
Required salary: £48,500 (as general threshold exceeds going rate)

Financial Requirement

Core Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate one of the following:

Personal funds of £1,270
Certification from their sponsor confirming provision of maintenance and accommodation for the first month of employment

When Proof is Required

Financial evidence must be provided if the applicant:

Is applying from outside the UK
Has resided in the UK for less than 12 months when making an in-country application

Senior or Specialist Worker Sponsor Requirements

Sponsorship Overview

A Senior or Specialist Worker visa requires sponsorship from a Home Office-approved UK employer. The sponsorship structure must include:

A UK-based receiving business (the sponsor)
An overseas sending business
A demonstrable relationship between both entities

Sponsor Licence Requirements

To sponsor workers under this route, organisations must:

Hold an A-rated sponsor licence
Be operating lawfully in the UK
Demonstrate a qualifying link with the overseas business

Qualifying Business Links

The UK sponsor must demonstrate one of:

Common Ownership or Control

One entity holds over half the voting rights in the other
Both entities share a common parent company
Other approved forms of ownership/control

Joint Venture Agreement

A formal agreement between the UK and overseas business
Evidence that the worker’s role relates to the joint venture
Proof that the venture is actively operating

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once licensed, sponsors can:

Issue CoS through the Home Office sponsorship management system (SMS)
Include detailed information about the UK role
Assign certificates at a cost of £239 per worker

Key CoS Requirements

Must be used within 3 months of issue
Requires verification that the worker meets immigration criteria
Contains a unique reference number for visa application

Compliance Responsibilities

Sponsors must:

Ensure roles meet skill-level requirements
Meet minimum salary thresholds
Maintain proper records
Comply with ongoing sponsor duties

Professional Guidance

Given the complexity of evidential requirements and compliance obligations, prospective sponsors are advised to seek specialist immigration counsel to:

Navigate application requirements
Prepare appropriate documentation
Maximise chances of first-time approval
Ensure ongoing compliance

How to Apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

Application Process

Complete the online visa application form
Input your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
Pay the applicable visa fee
Submit supporting documentation
Provide biometric information (if required)

Timing Requirements

Your application must meet these deadlines:

CoS must have been issued within the last 3 months
Job start date must be within 3 months of application

Biometric Requirements

Depending on your nationality and passport type, you may need to:

Provide fingerprints
Submit a photograph
Attend an appointment to obtain a biometric residence permit

Document Submission

Supporting documents can be:

Scanned during your biometric appointment
Uploaded to the online application system

Visa Entitlements

A successful application allows you to:

Work in your sponsored role
Undertake voluntary work
Study (subject to conditions)

Required Supporting Documentation

Generally, the applicant will need to consult with an immigration expert beforehand to ensure the documentation requirements are fulfilled.

Identity and Eligibility

Valid passport or identity document
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number
Blank passport page for visa (if biometrics required)

Employment Details

Job title and annual salary information
Occupation code
Employer details and sponsor licence number
Evidence of overseas employment (where applicable)

Financial Evidence

Bank statements showing required maintenance funds (£1,270)
OR employer’s certification of support

Additional Requirements

Health and Research

Tuberculosis test results (if from a listed country)
ATAS certificate (for PhD-level research in sensitive subjects)

Proof of Employment Duration

For those earning below £73,900 annually:

Evidence of 12 months’ overseas employment with the sponsor group
Payslips, bank statements, or other proof of payment

Note: High earners (£73,900+ annually) are exempt from the minimum employment duration requirement

Dependent Applications

If family members are applying:

Proof of relationship with partner/children
Additional maintenance evidence

Document Standards

All non-English/Welsh documents must include:

Professional certified translation
Original document copies

Processing Times for Senior or Specialist Worker Visas

Standard Processing Times

Outside UK applications: Up to 3 weeks
Inside UK applications: Up to 8 weeks

These timelines are based on previous Intra-Company Transfer visa processing times, which this route replaces.

Planning Your Application

We recommend:

Submitting applications well in advance of intended start dates
Allowing additional time during peak periods
Factoring in time for document gathering and biometric appointments

Note: Actual processing times may vary. For time-critical applications, priority services may be available at additional cost.

Switching to a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

Eligibility to Switch

Most visa holders can switch to this route while in the UK.

However, switching is not permitted for those currently in the UK on any of the following:

As a visitor (any category)
As a short-term student
As a parent of a child student
As a seasonal worker
As a private household domestic worker
Outside the Immigration Rules

Overseas Work Requirement

Unless earning £73,900+ annually, applicants must:

Have completed 12 months’ work with the sponsor group outside the UK
Be currently employed by the sponsor group when applying

Flexible Work Pattern

The 12-month requirement:

Need not be continuous
Can be accumulated during a period of mixed UK/overseas employment
Must be with an eligible business within the sponsor group

Example Scenario

An employee who has:

Worked for the sponsor group for 3 years
Regularly moved between UK and overseas offices
Accumulated at least 12 months’ overseas work
Maintained continuous employment with the sponsor group

Would satisfy the overseas work requirement for switching.

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Costs

The total cost of this visa comprises:

Application fees (varying by duration and location)
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Financial requirement (where applicable)

Application Fees

Applications from Outside the UK

Up to 3 years: £719
More than 3 years: £1,420

Applications from Inside the UK (Extensions/Switching)

Up to 3 years: £827
More than 3 years: £1,636

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

Annual rate: £1,035 per person
Must be paid upfront for the full visa duration
Provides access to NHS services

Example IHS Calculation

For a 3-year visa:

Individual applicant: £3,105 (£1,035 × 3 years)
Additional charge for each dependent

Financial Requirement

Where applicable:

Maintenance funds of £1,270
OR employer’s certification of support

Costs for Sponsors

Sponsors must pay:

Initial licence application fee
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee per worker
Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)

Sponsor Licence Application Fees

Small or charitable organisations: £536
Medium or large organisations: £1,476

Certificate of Sponsorship

£239 per CoS issued

Immigration Skills Charge (ISC)

Small or Charitable Sponsors

First 12 months: £364
Each additional 6 months: £182

Medium or Large Sponsors

First 12 months: £1,000
Each additional 6 months: £500

Small Sponsor Classification

An organisation qualifies as a small sponsor if it meets any two of these criteria:

Annual turnover: £10.2 million or less
Total assets: £5.1 million or less
Employees: 50 or fewer

Important Notes

All fees must be paid in full before visa applications can proceed
ISC is calculated based on the CoS dates
Charges apply per sponsored worker

Visa Duration & Extensions

Initial Visa Duration

The visa will be granted for the shorter of:

14 days after the job end date on your Certificate of Sponsorship
5 years from the job start date

Maximum Stay Periods

Standard Earners (Below £73,900)

Maximum 5 years in any 6-year period
Includes time spent on any Global Business Mobility route
Includes previous Intra-Company Transfer periods

High Earners (£73,900 or above)

Maximum 9 years in any 10-year period
Same inclusions as standard earners

Extending Your Visa

You can extend your visa while in the UK if you:

Continue to meet eligibility requirements
Remain within maximum stay periods
Maintain sponsorship from an approved employer

This applies to both:

Current Senior or Specialist Worker visa holders
Existing Intra-Company Transfer visa holders

Settlement Rights

Important considerations:

This route does not lead to settlement (permanent residence)
Those seeking permanent residence should consider switching to the Skilled Worker route
The switch must be made while your current visa remains valid

Dependants of Senior or Specialist Workers

Partner Eligibility

Relationship Requirements

Partners must:

Be married, in a civil partnership, or
Have cohabited for at least 2 years in a genuine relationship
Not be closely related
Intend to live together throughout the UK stay
Have no subsisting relationships with others

Children Eligibility

Age and Status Requirements

Children must:

Be under 18 at application date
Not be living independently (if 16 or over)
Have suitable care and accommodation arranged in the UK

Parental Requirements

One parent must:

Hold or be applying for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, or
Be the partner of a Senior or Specialist Worker

Exceptions apply if:

One parent has sole responsibility
One parent is a British citizen/permanent resident
There are serious and compelling circumstances

Financial Requirements

Maintenance Funds Required

Partner: £285
First child: £315
Each additional child: £200

Alternative Arrangements

The sponsor employer can certify maintenance and accommodation for:

The primary visa holder
All dependants
For the first month in the UK

Application Tips for Senior or Specialist Worker Visas

Pre-Application Checks

Eligibility Verification

Confirm salary meets required thresholds
Verify job role meets skill requirements
Check overseas employment duration (if applicable)
Ensure sponsor licence is valid

Documentation Preparation

Obtain valid Certificate of Sponsorship
Gather all supporting documents
Ensure documents are current
Prepare certified translations if required

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Financial Requirements

Calculate total costs accurately:
- Application fees
- Immigration Health Surcharge
- Maintenance funds
Ensure all payments are ready before submission

Process Requirements

Submit application within 3 months of CoS issue
Allow sufficient time for document gathering
Schedule biometric appointments early
Meet application timing requirements

Best Practices

Document Management

Create a comprehensive checklist
Keep copies of all submitted documents
Ensure all documents meet format requirements
Maintain clear record of correspondence

Professional Support

We recommend that you seek out our business immigration solicitors for advice regarding:

Complex applications
Time-critical situations
Previous visa refusals
Unusual circumstances

Need Expert Immigration Support?

Axis Solicitors specialises in UK business immigration, offering market-leading expertise in employment sponsorship and visa solutions. Our dedicated team provides application guidance and ongoing compliance support to both employers and workers, focusing on:

Sponsor licence applications and ongoing management
Senior or Specialist Worker Global Business Mobility visas
Strategic advice on global mobility programmes
End-to-end support with Home Office applications

With our substantial experience in corporate immigration law, we help organisations with complex regulatory requirements whilst ensuring uninterrupted talent mobility. Our results driven approach addresses your specific business needs, whether you are just establishing a UK presence or expanding your existing operations.

With offices in Manchester, London and Birmingham, our SRA-regulated team is ready to support all your immigration needs.

Toll-Free: 0808 164 4077
Email: contact@axis.lawyer

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The content may include generalised information that may not apply to your circumstances. Legal advice should always be sought directly from one of our qualified solicitors concerning any legal matters. Therefore, we offer all our new clients a free initial assessment to determine what services we can provide and what outcomes they may reasonably expect.