UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Checklist — £819–£1,865, 5 Years (GBM)
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is the Global Business Mobility route that replaced the old Intra-company Transfer. An existing employee of an approved sponsor transfers to a UK branch, needs a Certificate of Sponsorship and a salary of at least £52,500, and faces a hard total-stay cap. It costs £819–£1,865 depending on where and how long. Verified against GOV.UK, September 2026.
Stage A — Who it is for
- ☐ You are an existing employee of an approved sponsor, transferring to a UK branch.
- ☐ You have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
- ☐ The job is on the eligible occupation list.
- ☐ Your salary is at least £52,500.
Stage B — Documents
- ☐ CoS reference number; a valid passport or identity document.
- ☐ Job title and annual salary; the occupation code; the employer name and sponsor licence number.
- ☐ Proof of money; partner/child relationship evidence if they come with you; a TB test (listed countries).
- ☐ If needed: proof you have worked for the employer outside the UK for at least 12 months (salary under £73,900), an ATAS certificate, and certified translations.
Stage C — Fees and length
- ☐ From outside the UK: £819 (up to 3 years) or £1,618 (more than 3 years) per person.
- ☐ Inside the UK (extend, switch or update): £943 or £1,865 per person.
- ☐ IHS usually £1,035 a year; £1,270 savings (28-day rule; exempt after 12 months on a valid UK visa).
- ☐ Length: the shorter of the CoS length plus 14 days, or 5 years.
- ☐ Total cap: 5 years in any 6 if you earn under £73,900; 9 years in any 10 if you earn £73,900 or more.
Stage D — Applying and what you can do
- ☐ Apply up to 3 months before the start date on your CoS; usually a 3-week decision.
- ☐ You can: do the sponsored job, bring partner and children, and travel in and out.
- ⛔ You cannot claim most public funds.
- ☐ Counting rule: time spent on ICT/GBM routes counts towards the total cap; if you held Tier 2 ICT Long-term Staff before 6 April 2011 and have been in the UK continuously since, there is no total cap.
Get it right the first time
- Work out the total cap before you plan long-term — it depends on your salary.
- Under £73,900? Gather 12-month overseas employment evidence early.
- Budget the IHS on top of the application fee.
- Count prior GBM/ICT time towards the cap.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Senior or Specialist Worker visa for?
It is the Global Business Mobility route for an existing employee of an approved sponsor being transferred to a UK branch, with a Certificate of Sponsorship and a salary of at least £52,500.
How long can I stay, and what is the total cap?
The stay is the shorter of the CoS length plus 14 days, or 5 years. The total is capped at 5 years in any 6 if you earn under £73,900, or 9 years in any 10 if you earn £73,900 or more.
How much does it cost?
From outside the UK: £819 for up to 3 years or £1,618 for more than 3 years. Inside the UK: £943 or £1,865. The IHS is usually £1,035 a year.
Do I need to prove 12 months working abroad?
If your salary is under £73,900 you may need to show you have worked for the employer outside the UK for at least 12 months, using payslips or bank statements.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. You can bring your partner and children, and travel in and out of the UK.
How long does a decision take?
Usually within 3 weeks. You can apply up to 3 months before the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
Official source: gov.uk — Senior or Specialist Worker visa, how much it costs and documents pages, retrieved 2026-09-27. Confidence A (official pages, quoted verbatim). Each job’s exact minimum salary and the eligible occupation list are not reproduced here — check the official lists.
Related: see the UK visa checklist for other routes. Prepare your identity documents with the UK passport photo page, the digital file requirements guide, and check a finished photo with the passport photo checker. If your passport is near expiry, read the photo validity guide.