What is a Senior or Specialist Worker

Eligibility

• You need a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer

• Relevant work experience outside the UK

• Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations,

• You must meet the minimum salary requirements.

 

Getting a certificate of sponsorship

Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ with information about the work you will do in the UK. You’ll need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship. If your employer is not currently licensed to sponsor people to work in the UK, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they’re eligible.

How long you need to have worked for your employer outside the UK

If you’re earning less than £73,900 a year you must have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months.

If you’re earning £73,900 a year or more, there is no minimum time requirement.

 

Check if your job is eligible

Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know occupation code. You can get this from your employer or your certificate of sponsorship.

When you know your occupation code, check to see if it’s eligible for your visa type.

For individuals with previous Intra-company Transfer visas or Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visas.

Certain job categories are no longer eligible for the visa. If you currently hold a visa in one of these categories, you have options available

• You can continue working in your current job until your visa expires.

• You can extend your visa to continue working in the same job.

• If you prefer to switch to a different job, it must be on the list of eligible occupations. In such cases, you will need to update your visa accordingly

For personalized advice and assistance tailored to your situation, we recommend contacting our immigration law firm. Our team of experts is here to guide you through the process and explore the best options for you. Don't hesitate to reach out to us today!

 

Salary requirements

You must be paid at least £45,800 or the ‘going rate’ for your job - whichever is higher.

If you had a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa before 6 April 2011

There is no salary requirement if you’ve been in the UK since 6 April 2011 on any of the following visas:

• Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa

• Intra-company Transfer visa

• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

You must still be paid the ‘going rate’ for your job.

 

Duration of Stay:

When holding a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, your stay in the UK will be determined by the following:

- You can remain in the country for the shorter period between the time specified on your certificate of sponsorship plus an additional 14 days or a maximum of 5 years.

- You have the flexibility to apply for visa extensions or new visas multiple times, with no set limit on the total duration of your stay.

 

If you currently possess an Intra-company visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa, you can request an extension to continue staying in the UK as a Senior or Specialist Worker.

 

The maximum allowable stay for a Senior and Specialist Worker visa is as follows:

- If your yearly salary is below £73,900, you can stay for up to 5 years within any 6-year period.

- If your yearly salary is £73,900 or more, you can stay for up to 9 years within any 10-year period.

The time spent in the UK under other visas, such as the Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa, Intra-company Transfer visa, Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility), Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility), Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility), Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility), or UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility), will count towards your maximum total stay.

 

Application Process:

To obtain a UK Expansion Worker visa, you must complete the application online. Whether you are outside the UK, seeking an extension, or transitioning from a different visa category, we will provide comprehensive guidance to ensure a smooth and successful application process.

 

Settle In, Thrive, and Flourish:

With a UK Expansion Worker visa, you will enjoy various benefits. In addition to working for your sponsor, you can pursue studies, bring your family as dependents, participate in voluntary work, and freely travel between the UK and other countries.

However, there are a few restrictions. You are not eligible to apply for most benefits or the State Pension, switch jobs without updating your visa, have a second job unless you previously held an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa, or apply for permanent settlement in the UK. Our team of experts will guide you through the necessary steps to help you achieve your long-term aspirations in the UK.