Our Services

UK Visas offer a comprehensive range of services for corporate clients and individuals.
Our immigration and visa application experts will take the time to understand your requirements before recommending the most appropriate service to meet your needs, all at a competitive price.
See all our Services
Corporate Visa Services

Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

This visa is for overseas workers temporarily seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment. This is a brand-new route, designed to facilitate trade and boost the UK economy. With the Secondment Worker visa, there must be a high-value contract between the overseas employer and the UK sponsor. The contract between the overseas employer and the UK sponsor must be worth at least £50 million before the overseas employer can second workers to the UK. There is no salary threshold on the Secondment Worker visa.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a UK Secondment Worker visa, applicants must be at least 18 years old, currently employed by an overseas business with a contract with a UK sponsor, and have worked for that business outside the UK for at least 12 months. They need to earn a total of 40 points based on sponsorship and job offer at the appropriate skill level. This includes having a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK licensed sponsor and being sponsored for a job listed in the Skilled Occupations Appendix. Compliance with immigration regulations and providing a valid tuberculosis test certificate is also required for applicants from listed countries.

UK Secondment Worker Visa sponsorship requirements

The UK Secondment Worker visa requires sponsorship from a Home Office-approved employer with an A-rated sponsor licence. The sponsor must have an eligible contract with an overseas business worth at least £10 million per year, or £50 million in total, to meet the sponsorship requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to apply for a UK Secondment Worker visa?

To apply for a UK Secondment Worker visa, the applicant must complete an online application using their Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number, issued by their sponsor within 3 months of the application date. They need to prove their identity, provide supporting documents, attend an appointment for biometric information, and have a valid sponsorship certificate, passport, evidence of work outside the UK, proof of funds, and a tuberculosis test certificate if required. After submitting the application, proving identity, providing documents, and paying the fee, a decision is typically made within 3 weeks for applications outside the UK and 8 weeks for in-country applications.

How much does the visa cost?

The application fee is £298.

How long does a UK Secondment Worker visa last?

The UK Secondment Worker visa allows individuals to come to or stay in the UK for up to one year initially, with the possibility of extending their stay for an additional year. However, the maximum continuous period a visa-holder can stay on this route is two years. It's important to note that Secondment Workers are also subject to the maximum cumulative period for the GBM routes, which means they can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if they have spent time on other GBM or Intra-Company routes.

It's worth mentioning that the UK Secondment Worker visa does not lead to settlement in the UK. However, visa-holders may be eligible to apply for leave to remain under a different immigration route if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Can dependants join visa holders on the UK Secondment Worker visa route?

Dependants of UK Secondment Workers can join them on the visa route if they meet specific criteria, including partners and children. Unmarried partners must have lived together for at least 2 years in a relationship similar to marriage. The relationship must be genuine, with a clear intention to reside together in the UK. Dependents must apply while in the UK and meet certain eligibility requirements. This includes proving identity, providing biometric information, submitting supporting documents, paying fees, and meeting financial requirements.

How can UK Visas help?

Our business immigration specialists provide guidance to deploy personnel under the Secondment Worker route, including advice on the sponsorship obligations for employers and the visa application process for your employees. As a team of immigration advisers and former Home Office personnel, we can work in support of your in-house HR team or take care of all aspects of your sponsor licence and visa applications.

  • We have a great relationship with the UK Visas team, who provide a prompt, professional service and expert immigration advice. They take the worry out of the visa process, working efficiently even when dealing with numerous requests at once.

    Sarah Bond
    Human Resources Advisor
  • I can honestly say everyone that I deal with at UK Visas are very efficient, super helpful and informative and extremely nice (especially Ana and Garima). Also patient with all my questions – nothing is ever too much trouble, and very prompt with their responses.

    Jackie Thompson
    HR Assistant
  • I’ve worked with UK Visas for almost 10 years now, and the support and advice never fails. From the sponsorship of new employees to training for the whole team, UK Visas are always extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend their services!

    Helena Wittenbach
    Head of Human Resources,
  • Having worked with UK Visas for more than eight years, I cannot recommend their services enough. We have worked with them on a wide variety of immigration topics, including complex licence matters (following acquisitions), day to day sponsorship processes, and reporting; and we have always received an amazing service.

    Members of the team are responsive and come back to our queries quickly, they are always polite, and go out of their way to be as helpful as possible. Thank you to all of the team for the wonderful ongoing support you provide!

    Amy Gadsby
    Director, Human Resources - EMEA
  • We have worked with UK Visas for a number of years and the service that is provided is excellent.

    No query is too big or too small. Always accommodating and helpful. Thank you team!

    Louise Goddard
    Executive Business Partner to CEO and the Board
  • We have worked with UK Visas for over 10 years, since we initially requested obtaining a Sponsor Licence. From day one, their guidance, communication, professionalism, efficiency and support has been and continues to be exemplary, with no request too much.

    Thank you and we look forward to continuing the relationship.

    Sara Searle
    Head of Human Resources and Payroll
  • I’ve worked with UK Visas for over 6 years and always find them helpful, friendly and experts in what they do. I know I can always call them up or send them an email and I will get a detailed response, fast. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone to help and support with your visa journeys.

    Gerry Weiss
    HR Business Partner
  • We have been using UK Visas for many years and service is always expeditious, even as number of requests have increased in recent years. The team advise on a wide range of queries and are always supportive, informative and clear in their advice.

    Jodie Plom
    HR Administrator CVS Vets
Arrange a consultation

Contact our IAA accredited team

For more than a decade we have been assisting businesses and individuals with immigration and visa enquiries, providing sound advice and successfully handling applications.
Please submit your details via our online enquiry form and our expert team will be in touch to progress your enquiry. Alternatively, you may contact us directly on the phone number below.

Our Clients

At UK Visas, we're passionate about delivering exceptional service to our clients. We're excited to share their success stories with you and showcase our commitment to excellence.

Sign up for visa news

[fluentform id="2"]

Regulated by the IAA

We are regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA). Our registration number: F200300183.
Please note we are NOT a UK Government body or agency and have no connection with the UK Government.

Get in touch

[email protected]
01403 801801

Contact us

Arrange a consultation with our team of expertise.

Enquire today