Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

What is a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?

A UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa enables sponsored employees of overseas businesses to come to stay in the UK to do an eligible job at their employer’s UK branch.

This visa has replaced the Intra-company Transfer visa, previously known as the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.

What Are the Key Eligibility Requirements for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?

In order to successfully apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa applicants must meet the following key requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must be an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor;
• Must have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from their employer with information about the work they will do in the UK;
• Must do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations;
• Must be paid at least £42,400 per year;
• The job offer is for a genuine vacancy;
• Must evidence they have sufficient money to support themselves or their sponsor must confirm that they will support the applicant. If, however an applicant has been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more, they will not need to show proof that they have sufficient money to support themselves; and
• May need to provide a tuberculosis (TB) certificate depending on which country the applicant resides in.

How Long is a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Valid for?

A Senior or Specialist Worker visa is granted for whichever is shorter of:

• The time given on a certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days; or
• 5 years

Can a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa be Extended?

Before the expiry of a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, an applicant must apply to the Home Office to extend their stay in the UK.

The maximum total stay allowed for a Senior and Specialist Worker visa is:

• 5 years in any 6 year period if they are paid less than £73,900 a year; or
• 9 years in any 10 year period if they are paid £73,900 a year or more

To note, any time applicants spend in the UK on one of the following visas will be included in their maximum total stay:

• 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)
• UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Does a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Lead to Settlement?

The Global Business Mobility routes do not lead to settlement. However once in the UK, under this visa applicants may be able to apply to switch to another category such as the Skilled Worker route which does lead to settlement.

To note, any permission applicants have in the Global Business Mobility route will not count towards the qualifying period of stay required to settle.

Can Dependants Join or Accompany Senior or Specialist Workers?

The partner and children of an applicant can accompany or join them so long as they meet the eligibility criteria. If this is met, then they will be issued a visa which will have the same end date as the Senior or Specialist Worker visa holder.

How Long Does it Take For a Decision to be Made?

The Home Office will usually process a Senior or Specialist Worker visa application submitted outside the UK within 3 weeks. If an application for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa is made within the UK a decision is usually made within 8 weeks.

If eligible, applicants will be advised whether they can apply to get a decision faster. The Home Office charge additional fees for these priority services.

How Much Does it Cost?

The Home Office fee for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa ranges from £625 to £1,423 depending on applicants circumstances.

For applicants applying from outside the UK, the fee depends on whether they will be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £625 per person
• more than 3 years - £1,235 per person

For applicants applying from inside the UK to extend, switch or update their visa, the fee depends on whether they will be in the UK for:

• up to 3 years - £719 per person
• more than 3 years - £1,423 per person

Applicants will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This is usually £624 per year.

How We Can Help You

Our highly experienced team will provide expert advice and guidance to you throughout your immigration journey.

If you have any questions, please complete our online enquiry form or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call us on 01724 701111 and one of our experts will be happy to assist you.