Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)

Foreign employees are permitted to do the following activities while in the UK on a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa:

• Work in the UK for their sponsor in the job described in their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
• Study
• Bring their dependent family members (spouses, civil partners, and dependent children) with them to the UK
• Participate in volunteer work
• Travel freely to and from the UK

The following activities, however, are not permitted under this visa:

• Have access to public funds
• Change jobs (unless you are eligible to do so and have updated your visa)
• Work in a second job
• Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain

Applications for the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa can be made online at the gov.uk website up to 3 months in advance of intended employment in the UK. Applicants can include dependents such as spouses, civil partners, and children in their application if they meet the eligibility criteria.

After you have completed the online application, you will be asked to send in a portfolio of documents as evidence that you meet the necessary requirements. In addition, you will also be asked to book an appointment at a visa application center nearest you where you can submit biometric information (photograph and fingerprints). This information will be used to create a biometric residence permit.

If approved, applicants can pick up their biometric residence permits at the designated pick-up location within 10 days of arriving in the UK.

After you have completed your online UK visa application, you will be required to send in a portfolio of documents. This portfolio may contain the following documents:

• A Certificate of Sponsorship reference number (this will be given to the applicant by their employer)
• A valid passport or another travel document that shows the applicant’s identity and nationality (this must have at least 1 blank page for the UK visa)
• Documents regarding the applicant’s job title and annual salary
• Any evidence that shows the applicant has been working for their employer outside of the UK for at least 12 months (if not a high earner)
• Any documents that detail the job’s occupation code
• A valid Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate (if the applicant’s job involves researching a sensitive subject at a Ph.D. level or higher)
• Any documents which detail the name of the applicant’s employer and their sponsor license number
• Any evidence that demonstrates that the applicant has enough personal savings to support themselves whilst in the UK unless they are being supported by their employer (ex. bank statements)
• Proof of the applicant’s relationship to their spouse/partner, and/or children (if applying for accompanying dependent visas)
• Tuberculosis test results (if the applicant is applying from a country where a TB test is required)

All documents that are not written in English or Welsh will need to be accompanied by certified translations.

Overall, the general costs of a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa will include the following expenses:

• Visa application fee if applying from outside the UK: £625 per person (for periods of stay up to 3 years) or £1,235 per person (for periods of stay longer than 3 years)
• Visa application fee if applying from within the UK to extend, switch or update: £719 per person (for stays of up to 3 years) or £1,423 per person (for stays longer than 3 years)
• Healthcare surcharge: costs will vary and are calculated based on the length of stay

In addition, all applicants must have at least £1,270 in their bank account in order to meet the financial requirements for this visa. This money must be available for at least 28 consecutive days and within 31 days of visa application. If the applicant is coming to the UK with dependents, this amount will be more depending on the number of family members accompanying the principal visa holder.

This requirement can be waived if the applicant has been living in the UK on another valid visa for at least 12 months at the time of application or if the employer volunteers to cover the applicant’s expenses in their first month in the UK.

The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa can be extended provided that the applicant meets the following criteria:

• The applicant is seeking to renew the same job
• The applicant’s job is in the same occupation code as last time
• The applicant is still working for the same employer/sponsor
• The applicant has not yet reached the maximum total stay

The maximum total stay allowed for Senior or Specialist Worker is 5 years in any 6-year period if the applicant is paid less than £73,900. If the applicant is paid more than £73,900, the maximum total stay is 9 years in any 10-year period.

Partner and children dependent visas can also apply for extensions separately.

Our lawyers stay up to date with the latest changes and development in the UK immigration rules. If find yourself in need of advice or assistance with your visa application, contact us today at +1 844 290 6312.

Our services at IAS include:

• Tailor-made assistance offered to you in person, over the phone, or via video call at a suitable time
• Assessing your eligibility for different UK visas
• Checking over your documents to make sure everything is in order
• Confirmation that your employer is an eligible sponsor
• Working with your UK sponsor to help obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship
• Producing a Letter of Representation which can be submitted along with your application
• Liaising with the Home Office on your behalf during the visa application process
• Helping you complete your application forms to the highest standard

Call us today or leave a message in the chat to learn more about how we can best help you.