Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

What is a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?

The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is part of the Global Business Mobility visa program.  It is a work visa that enables the holder to come to or stay in the UK and work for the UK branch of their overseas employer. This relatively new visa category has replaced the Intra-company Transfer visa, previously the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa. The visa intends to provide large multinational firms with the mechanism to quickly transfer staff to the UK branch to support their business operations and growth plans in the UK.

For the visa to be granted, a number of different criteria need to be met, including:

• The employer must hold a valid Sponsor License
• A Certificate of Sponsorship must be issued to the prospective employee
• The job role must feature on the list of eligible occupations
• The job role must be above a minimum income threshold

Applicants will need to meet this criteria and provide specific supporting documentation. If the application is successful, a visa can be granted for up to 5 years, enabling the UK branch to benefit from the skillset and knowledge of the transferred employee.

Eligibility Requirements in Further Detail

Certificate of Sponsorship Requirement

As your sponsor, your employer will provide you with an electronic document known as a Certificate of Sponsorship. The document details your specific work responsibilities in the UK and the proposed employment start date. This certificate can only be provided by an employer possessing a valid Sponsor Licence who must generate it through the Sponsor Management System (SMS).

The Certificate of Sponsorship exists solely in electronic form, not as a physical paper document. When you apply for your visa, you’ll need the reference number specified in your Certificate of Sponsorship to link it to your visa application. Certificates of Sponsorship can be generated well in advance of your proposed employment. However, it’s imperative to submit your visa application within three months of receiving the certificate.

Salary Requirement

To fulfill the salary criteria for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you need a salary of no less than £45,800 or the ‘going rate’ for your specific job, whichever amount is greater. The ‘going rate’ differs for each job code and is detailed in the going rates table. Examining the going rate relevant to your job is essential to ensure compliance with the salary requirement.

There are some exceptions to this requirement if you had a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa before 6 April 2011. Otherwise, the salary requirement needs to be met by all applicants.

Job Eligibility Requirement

Not all job roles are eligible for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa. Only roles listed on the Eligible Occupations List can be considered for this visa. It is essential to ensure your role is listed and your job description and responsibilities match the role. Each role on the list is given a 4-digit occupation code, and the correct code needs to be stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship, when your employer generates it.

Employment Requirement

The minimum period of employment with your employer overseas depends on your salary. If your annual salary is below £73,900, you must have a minimum of 12 months of employment with your employer outside the UK. However, if your annual salary is £73,900 or higher, no specific minimum duration of prior employment is required.

Maintenance Requirement

To demonstrate your capability to sustain and support yourself in the UK, you must show that you have maintained a minimum balance of £1,270 in your bank account. This amount should remain available for a continuous 28-day period, with the 28th day falling within 31 days before your visa application submission date. If your spouse or children are accompanying you, they must also demonstrate their financial capacity to support themselves in the UK. The supplementary funds required for them are as follows:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Should your employer plan to assist you during your initial month in the UK, this must be clearly stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship. Your employer must complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ segment under ‘Additional data’ on your certificate.

Rights and Entitlements on a Senior or Specialist Visa

The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa allows you to:

• Work in the role specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Pursue educational programs.
• Bring your eligible family members to the UK, including your spouse and any dependant children.
• Engage in voluntary work.
• Travel in and out of the UK.

However, the visa comes with restrictions, and you will not be able to:

• Claim most benefits or the State Pension.
• Change jobs without updating your visa.
• Obtain a second job (unless you’ve previously had an Intra-company Transfer visa or a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long term Staff visa.
• Apply for settlement in the UK.

Once your visa is approved, you will receive a detailed list outlining permitted and prohibited activities under the Senior or Specialist Visa.

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Costs

Application Fee

The application fee for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is variable depending on the application’s location and the visa’s length. The following fees apply:

The application fees are per applicant for a standard visa application. If you plan to bring a dependant partner or any dependant children, you must pay the application fee for each applicant. Additional fees will also apply if you intend to use a priority service to expedite the application.

You will be informed how much you must pay when submitting your application online.

Immigration Health Surcharge

Most immigrants to the UK on visas lasting six months or longer need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Currently, the fee is £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for children below 18. Note that this fee will increase by 40% over the coming months. This fee is paid upfront at the point of application, based on the duration of the visa i.e. a 5 year visa will incur an upfront cost of £3,120 (5 x £624).