Global Business Mobility Visas — Bringing Your International Workforce to the UK

Updated 11 September 2026

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is not a single visa but a family of five routes, each created for a different international business scenario — from seconding a senior executive to a UK subsidiary, to sending an employee to establish a brand-new UK branch. LegumLex advises multinational groups, UK subsidiaries, and individual transferees on choosing and securing the correct route.

The GBM Routes

Senior or Specialist Worker

For employees of a multinational group who are being seconded to the UK entity in a senior or specialist capacity.

• Must be employed by the overseas entity for at least 12 months if earning below £73,900; at or above £73,900 there is no minimum overseas employment period
• Salary threshold: £52,500 or the occupation going rate, whichever is higher
• Maximum stay: 5 years (up to 9 years for high earners)

Graduate Trainee

For employees undertaking a structured graduate training programme with the intention of moving into a management or specialist role.

• Employed by the overseas entity for at least 3 months
• Maximum stay: 12 months
• Salary threshold: £27,300 or 70% of the occupation going rate, whichever is higher (different going-rate rules apply to some healthcare and education jobs)

UK Expansion Worker

For employees of an overseas business that does not yet have an established UK presence — being sent to the UK to set up operations.

• The UK company must not yet be actively trading
• Maximum stay: 2 years
• Salary threshold: £52,500 or occupation going rate
• Sponsor must be authorised for the UK Expansion Worker route

Service Supplier

For contractual service suppliers and independent professionals delivering services under a contract between their overseas organisation and a UK client.

• UK must have international trade commitments covering the service sector
• Maximum stay: 6 or 12 months (depending on route)

Secondment Worker

For employees of overseas businesses being seconded to a UK business under a contract for services worth at least £50 million.

• Maximum stay: 2 years

Which Route Is Right for Your Business?

Choosing between the five GBM routes — or between GBM and the Skilled Worker visa — depends on your corporate structure, how long the assignment will last, whether the UK entity is already trading, and whether settlement is a long-term goal. We help businesses map their objectives to the correct route before committing to a Sponsor Licence application, avoiding wasted applications and assignment delays.

GBM Sponsor Licence

A Sponsor Licence must cover the specific GBM route; a Skilled Worker permission alone does not cover GBM assignments. An existing licence may be extended to additional routes. We advise on whether your existing licence covers GBM or whether a new application is required, prepare the licence application, and ensure your HR systems meet the ongoing compliance duties that come with any sponsorship licence.

How LegumLex Helps

• Advising on the most appropriate GBM route for each assignment
• Assessing eligibility against the qualifying employment period and salary thresholds
• Preparing and submitting the Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence application
• Assigning Certificates of Sponsorship correctly under the chosen route
• Preparing the individual visa applications for transferees and their families
• Advising on switching to the Skilled Worker route where longer-term settlement is the goal

All of our work is delivered on a fixed-fee basis, confirmed in writing before we begin. See our full fee schedule for indicative pricing.

Official Guidance

• GOV.UK: senior specialist worker visa — eligibility
• GOV.UK: graduate trainee visa — eligibility
• GOV.UK: uk expansion worker visa — eligibility