Global Business Mobility visas allow overseas businesses to send workers to the UK for temporary assignments, UK expansion, graduate training, secondments or contracted services. For HR and global-mobility teams, selecting the correct GBM route is critical because each route has different salary, contract and maximum-stay rules.
The Global Business Mobility category contains five temporary work routes.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-08.
TL;DR
The Global Business Mobility category covers five sponsored temporary work routes, with Home Office application fees starting from £340. Maximum stay depends on the route, from 6 months for some Service Supplier assignments to 5 years per grant for Senior or Specialist Workers. Most GBM applications are normally decided within 3 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside the UK, where in-country applications are allowed.
From £340
Application fee
6 months–5 years
Route-dependent stay
3 weeks
Typical outside-UK decision
What are Global Business Mobility Visas?
Global Business Mobility is a group of sponsored temporary work routes for workers based outside the UK who are coming for a specific business assignment.
The five routes are Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker. The correct route depends on whether the UK entity is already trading, whether there is a linked overseas employer, a graduate training programme, a high-value contract or an eligible trade agreement.
For sponsors, route choice affects sponsor licence coverage, Certificate of Sponsorship allocation, salary thresholds, evidence requirements and long-term workforce planning. GBM routes are temporary and do not lead directly to settlement.
Global Business Mobility Route Requirements
You must satisfy all three conditions to qualify for the Global Business Mobility Visas.
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Correct GBM Route
The business must identify which of the five GBM routes matches the assignment. The route should reflect the commercial purpose, such as transfer, expansion, secondment, service supply or graduate training.
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Sponsor Licence & CoS
Most GBM applications require a licensed UK sponsor and a valid Certificate of Sponsorship. The CoS must be assigned under the correct route.
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Temporary Assignment Fit
GBM routes are designed for temporary UK work. Sponsors should check salary, skill level, overseas employment, contract evidence and maximum-stay rules before assigning a CoS.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Your rights and restrictions while in the UK on a Global Business Mobility Visas.
✓ You Can
- Select from five routes covering transfers, expansion, secondments, services and graduate trainees.
- Sponsor temporary assignments where the route requirements are met.
- Support UK expansion plans before a new UK branch has started trading.
- Bring eligible dependants on most GBM routes.
- Use route-specific evidence for complex mobility projects.
✗ You Cannot
- Treat GBM as settlement-led recruitment because the routes do not lead directly to ILR.
- Use the wrong licence category for the worker’s assignment.
- Bypass salary or skill rules by labelling a role as temporary.
- Assign a CoS without evidence of the group link, contract, trade agreement or training programme.
- Ignore maximum-stay caps across previous GBM and intra-company routes.
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Application fee | From £340 |
| Senior/Specialist fee | From £819 |
| Temporary GBM CoS | £55 |
| Senior/Specialist CoS | £525 |
| IHS | ~£1,035 per year |
How to Plan a Global Business Mobility Application
Five steps from preparation to decision.
Identify the GBM Route
Map the assignment against the five GBM routes and confirm the commercial purpose.
Check Sponsor Licence Coverage
Confirm that the UK business holds, or can apply for, the correct sponsor licence route.
Prepare Assignment Evidence
Gather group, contract, overseas employment, salary, occupation-code and role evidence.
Submit the Visa Application
The worker applies online, proves identity and provides documents, normally no more than 3 months before the UK start date.
Receive Your Decision
Most outside-UK applications are decided within 3 weeks; in-country applications are normally decided within 8 weeks where permitted.
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Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Global Business Mobility Visas from employers and applicants.
What are Global Business Mobility visas UK?
Global Business Mobility visas are sponsored temporary work routes for overseas workers coming to the UK for specific business assignments.
How much does a Global Business Mobility visa cost?
The fee depends on the route. Several GBM routes cost £340, while Senior or Specialist Worker applications start from £819 outside the UK.
Do Global Business Mobility visas lead to settlement?
No. GBM routes do not lead directly to indefinite leave to remain.
Which GBM route is for intra-company transfers?
Senior or Specialist Worker is the main route for senior managers or specialist employees assigned to a linked UK business.
Which GBM route is for opening a UK branch?
UK Expansion Worker is for overseas businesses sending senior managers or specialists to set up a UK branch before trading starts.
Which GBM route covers high-value contracts?
Secondment Worker is for workers seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment.
Which GBM route covers trade-agreement services?
Service Supplier is for overseas providers delivering services under an eligible international trade agreement.
Can a GBM worker bring dependants?
Most GBM routes allow eligible partners and children to apply as dependants.
How long does a GBM decision take?
Most applications are normally decided within 3 weeks outside the UK and 8 weeks inside the UK where in-country applications are available.
Does a UK business need a sponsor licence for GBM?
Yes, the UK sponsor normally needs licence coverage for the relevant GBM route.
Plan Your Global Business Mobility Route
Our immigration specialists handle everything from sponsor licence checks to visa approval — for employers and applicants alike.