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The Secondment Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility category is designed for overseas workers being seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment by their employer. It's aimed at employees of multinational companies who need to transfer staff to the UK temporarily. The main purpose is to facilitate intra-company transfers that don't fit under other specific categories like the Intra-Company Transfer visa, focusing on the transfer of specialist or senior employees to a UK branch or connected company to fulfill contractual commitments or invest in the UK business.
Global Business Mobility
The Secondment Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility category is designed for overseas workers being seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment by their employer. It's aimed at employees of multinational companies who need to transfer staff to the UK temporarily. The main purpose is to facilitate intra-company transfers that don't fit under other specific categories like the Intra-Company Transfer visa, focusing on the transfer of specialist or senior employees to a UK branch or connected company to fulfill contractual commitments or invest in the UK business.
The applicant must be currently employed by an overseas business that has a high-value contract or investment with a UK company. This means the overseas business must have a significant business relationship with the UK sponsor, typically involving substantial financial transactions or strategic partnerships. The applicant should be integral to the delivery of this contract or investment.
The UK company must hold a valid Sponsor Licence under the Global Business Mobility route. This licence allows the UK company to sponsor overseas workers and is specific to the type of work and the route under which the visa is applied. The licence must be active and cover the specific role the applicant will be undertaking.
Applicants must have worked for the overseas business for at least 12 months. This requirement is waived if the applicant earns over £73,900 annually. This ensures that the applicant has sufficient experience and understanding of the overseas business operations before transferring to the UK.
The role in the UK must require the applicant to be a senior employee or a specialist. This means the position should involve significant responsibility or specialized skills that are crucial for the UK business. The role should align with the applicant’s expertise and experience.
The applicant must have a Certificate of Sponsorship from the UK sponsor. The CoS is an electronic record with a unique reference number that confirms the job offer and details the role, salary, and duration of employment in the UK. It must be issued by the licensed sponsor and is valid for three months from the date of issue.
The applicant must be offered a salary of at least £42,000 per year for the role in the UK. This ensures that the position is of sufficient skill level and compensates the applicant appropriately. Salaries must be consistent with the market rate for the role and location.
Although not explicitly required for the Secondment Worker visa, proficiency in English is beneficial for integration and communication in the UK. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate English skills through tests like IELTS or equivalent qualifications.
Applicants from certain countries must provide a valid tuberculosis (TB) test certificate if they are coming to the UK for more than six months. The test must be conducted at a clinic approved by the UK Home Office.
Applicants may need to provide a criminal record certificate from any country where they have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. This is to ensure the applicant does not have a criminal history that could pose a risk to UK society.
The application fee for the Secondment Worker visa is £625. Applicants should also account for additional costs such as the Immigration Health Surcharge. The processing time is typically 3 weeks, but applicants should apply well in advance to accommodate any delays.
Disclaimer: We are not immigration advisors. For professional immigration advice, consult a qualified immigration lawyer or OISC-registered advisor.
Applicants must provide evidence of their employment with the overseas business. This includes employment contracts, payslips, and letters from the employer confirming the applicant’s role, duration of employment, and salary. This documentation supports the applicant’s eligibility and experience claims.
Applicants must demonstrate they have enough personal savings to support themselves in the UK. This typically means having at least £1,270 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days before applying. Alternatively, the sponsor can certify maintenance on the applicant’s behalf.
3 weeks weeks