Blog

What are the different routes of Global Business Mobility visas?

A solicitor explaining the five subcategories of the Global Business Mobility Visa and shaking hands with a client, the image contains Axis Solicitors branding and gives a sense of professionalism.

Global Business Mobility visas

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is a visa category that allows overseas businesses to send their staff to the UK for different purposes, such as setting up or growing their operations, sharing skills, or offering services. It is a streamlined and flexible visa category that replaces some of the previous work and business visas, such as the Intra-company Transfer visa and the Representative of an Overseas Business visa. The Global Business Mobility visa enables non-UK organisations to temporarily bring certain employees to the UK for specific roles, such as establishing a new branch, working at an existing subsidiary, or providing services under a contract.

This blog post will describe the main features and benefits of the Global Business Mobility visa and how Axis Solicitors can help you apply for it. Axis Solicitors is a UK-based law firm specialising in all immigration matters, with offices in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Chester. We have experienced and professional solicitors who can assist you with your case and ensure a successful outcome.

What are the sub-categories of the Global Business Mobility visa?

The Global Business Mobility visa has five sub-categories with different eligibility criteria and conditions. They are:

  • UK Expansion Worker visa: This visa is for senior managers or specialist employees who work for an overseas business that has yet to start trading in the UK. They can come to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary of the overseas company. They can stay for up to 12 months and may be able to extend for another 12 months.
  • Senior or Specialist Worker visa: This visa is for senior managers or specialist employees working for an overseas business with an existing UK branch or subsidiary. They can come to the UK to do a job on the list of eligible occupations at their employer’s UK branch. They can stay for up to 5 years, with no limit on extensions. However, a combined maximum total stay limit based on salary still applies.
  • Graduate Trainee visa: This visa is for recent graduates working for an overseas business with an existing UK branch or subsidiary. They can come to the UK to participate in a structured graduate training programme that leads to a managerial or specialist role. Furthermore, they can stay for up to 12 months, with no possibility of extension. But with the option to apply for the same visa again from outside the UK.
  • Service Supplier visa: This visa is for overseas business employees with a contract to provide services in the UK. They can come to the UK to deliver those services on behalf of their employer. They can stay for up to 12 months, with no possibility of extension. Likewise, self-employed professionals may qualify if they have a contract to deliver their services.
  • Secondment Worker visa: This visa is for employees of an overseas business with a contract to provide services in the UK through a secondment arrangement with a UK-based organisation. They can come to the UK to deliver those services on their employer’s behalf under the UK-based organisation’s supervision. They can stay for up to 24 months, with no possibility of extension.

What are the benefits of the Global Business Mobility visa?

The Global Business Mobility visa offers several advantages for overseas businesses and their staff who want to operate in the UK market. Some of these advantages are:

  • Flexibility: The Global Business Mobility visa covers a variety of situations and objectives for overseas businesses to bring their staff to the UK, from setting up a new branch to delivering services under a contract. The visa also allows different levels of seniority and specialisation, from graduates to senior managers.
  • Simplicity: The Global Business Mobility visa simplifies and consolidates some of the previous work and business visas, making it easier for applicants and sponsors to understand and comply with the requirements. The visa also reduces the administrative burdens and costs of applying for multiple visas.
  • Opportunity: The Global Business Mobility visa enables overseas businesses to access the UK market and talent pool, as well as benefit from the UK’s trade and investment opportunities. The visa also allows staff to gain valuable experience and skills in the UK and enhance their career prospects.

How can Axis Solicitors help you apply for the Global Business Mobility visa?

Suppose you are an overseas business that wants to bring your staff to the UK under the Global Business Mobility visa or a staff member who wants to apply for this visa. In that case, you will benefit from expert legal advice and guidance from Axis Solicitors. We have a team of experienced and professional solicitors with extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with all immigration matters, including the Global Business Mobility visa. We can help you with:

  • Assessing your eligibility: We continuously evaluate your situation and advise you on which sub-category of the Global Business Mobility visa is most appropriate for you or your staff. Our solicitors can also explain the criteria and conditions you need to meet, such as having a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer, doing a job on the list of eligible occupations, and being paid at least the minimum eligible salary.
  • Preparing your application: As immigration experts, our team will be able to help you successfully prepare and submit your application online, ensuring that it contains all the relevant details correctly and that you provide all the necessary documents to support your application. When necessary, we will also assist you in paying the application fee and the immigration health surcharge or book your biometric appointment if required.
  • Representing your case: Our solicitors have trained to liaise with the Home Office on your behalf and keep you updated on the progress of your application. Similarly, as solicitors, we can represent your case in case of any queries or challenges from the Home Office and advise you on how to respond to them. We consider our clients our extended family; therefore, we are always ready to help you appeal or challenge negative decisions.
  • Supporting you throughout your stay: Our staff provides ongoing support and advice throughout your stay in the UK under the Global Business Mobility visa. A solicitor will help you extend or change your visa if you are eligible and wish to do so. The immigration team will also help you comply with the relevant immigration rules and regulations and inform you of any changes that may affect your immigration status.

Contact

If you are interested in applying for the Global Business Mobility visa or have any questions or concerns about this visa, please get in touch with us today. You can even book a free initial consultation, where we assess your case and advise you on the best course of action. Upfront, transparent, and fixed fees for any service we perform.

You can call us on 0800 048 7573

Email us at contact@axis.lawyer

Or fill in our online enquiry form 

Axis Solicitors accepts remote clients from anywhere and has offices you can visit in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Chester. Do not take chances with something as important as immigration; always choose an immigration specialist law firm.

Related Articles

A photo of two Family Law Solicitors at Axis Solicitors explaining how clients can make a successful spouse visa applications for the UK in 2023. The photo contains Axis Solicitors golden x shaped branding that makes them different from regular immigration lawywers.

Making a Successful Spouse Visa Application

Making a successful spouse visa UK application- A step-by-step guide to processing your Partner visa A spouse visa/marriage visa allows a husband or wife (non-British partner)
22/09/2023
Read More →
A photo of two women working as solicitors at Axis Solicitors Limited, the photo is meant to illustrate how they are explaining self-sponsorship for a skilled worker visa in the UK to the visitor.

Successfully Self-Sponsor Yourself for a Skilled Worker Visa in the UK: 2023 Introduction

Introducing Self-Sponsorship in 2023 If you are a skilled worker and want to work in the UK, you could be eligible for a Self-Sponsored Skilled
15/09/2023
Read More →
A photo of a lawyer at Axis Solicitors Limited with a calm and confident smile that illustrates the seriousness of the new stricter penalties planned by the UK government for 2024 when it comes to hiring unauthorised workers. But the photo is also meant to provide the visitor with confidence that they can prepare themselves with great legal advice.

Unauthorised Workers and Right to Work Checks: Looming Penalties in 2024 for Hiring Ilegal Workers

Increased Penalties for Hiring Unauthorised Workers At the beginning of August 2023, an important update came from the UK Government regarding unauthorised workers. There will
07/09/2023
Read More →
A photo of a solicitor at Axis Solicitors explaining the life in the UK test for ilr settlement. Read the our immigration lawyers blog.

Life in the UK Test for ILR / Settlement

Life in the UK/British Citizenship Test is a 24-questions (45 minutes long) computerized test based on the understanding of the history, culture, and customs of
29/08/2023
Read More →
Photo of two solicitors at Axis Solicitors explaining how to apply for leave to remain as a spouse.

How to apply for leave to remain as a spouse?

For many (holders of a marriage visa), the minimum qualifying period to be entitled to the ILR is a 5-year continuous period of residency in
22/08/2023
Read More →