Senior or Specialist Worker Visa UK

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is the UK immigration route for multinational businesses that need to transfer senior managers or specialist employees to a UK office. Previously known as the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa, this route falls under the Global Business Mobility framework and is designed for established employees who already work for the sponsoring organisation overseas.

At BHD Solicitors, our experienced immigration solicitors in London and Croydon advise both employers and individual applicants on every aspect of the Senior or Specialist Worker visa. Whether you are an HR professional managing international transfers or an employee seeking to understand your options, we provide clear, practical advice and hands-on support throughout the application process.

We have a strong track record in securing Global Business Mobility visas and in supporting businesses to meet their ongoing sponsorship obligations. We offer competitive pricing and a tailored service to ensure applications are correctly prepared and submitted to the highest standard.

Contact our Senior or Specialist Worker visa solicitors in London and Croydon

For further information and a free telephone consultation, call our London or Croydon offices today on

0208 681 5128 and speak to one of our senior immigration solicitors.

What is the Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows multinational companies to transfer existing employees to the UK to work in a senior or specialist capacity. It replaced the former Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) visa and sits within the Global Business Mobility visa category, which covers a range of routes for overseas workers coming to the UK as part of an international business.

Employers wishing to use this route must hold a valid sponsorship licence and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to each worker they intend to transfer. Our solicitors advise businesses on obtaining and maintaining a sponsorship licence and on all aspects of their sponsorship duties.

Who is eligible for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

To be eligible for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa, applicants must meet a number of criteria set by the Home Office. In summary, you must:

• Be aged 18 or over
• Be currently employed by an organisation that holds a valid Home Office-approved sponsorship licence
• Have worked for your sponsor, or a business linked to your sponsor by common ownership or control, outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you will earn £73,900 or more in the UK
• Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your sponsor for the specific role you will be performing in the UK
• Be taking up a genuine vacancy at the appropriate skill level
• Be paid at least £52,500 or the going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher
• Have your sponsor pay any required Immigration Skills Charge
• Have sufficient funds to support yourself in the UK without recourse to public funds
• Provide a valid tuberculosis (TB) test certificate, if required, based on your country of residence

Each of these requirements carries specific evidential obligations. Our specialist solicitors guide both employers and applicants through each element to ensure applications are fully compliant before submission.

How to apply for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa

Applications for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa are made online via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal. The process typically involves the following steps:

1. Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship. Your employer must assign a valid CoS before you can begin your application.
2. Complete the online application. You will need to provide personal details, travel history, and information about the role and sponsor.
3. Pay the application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. Fees vary depending on the length of the visa.
4. Provide biometric information. You will need to attend an appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph, or use the UKVI ID Check app where available.
5. Submit supporting documents. These will include your CoS reference number, passport, financial evidence, and any other documents required for your specific circumstances.

Most applications are processed within three weeks, though priority and super-priority services are available in some cases to reduce this timeline. Our solicitors prepare applications thoroughly to minimise the risk of delays or requests for further information.

How long can you stay?

The Senior or Specialist Worker visa can be granted for the duration of the assignment as stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship, up to a maximum of five years. The visa can be extended where the assignment continues, up to a total of nine years in the UK on this route (or six years for lower-paid roles).

Once the maximum permitted period has been reached, the applicant must leave the UK and may not re-enter on the same route until a further period has elapsed. Our solicitors advise on timing and planning to ensure continuity of employment and compliance with the rules.

Bringing family members to the UK

Senior or Specialist Worker visa holders can bring their spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and dependent children under 18 to the UK as dependants. Dependants may work in the UK without restriction and may study, subject to the relevant rules.

Each dependent must make a separate application and meet the relevant eligibility and financial requirements. Our solicitors advise on the requirements for dependant applications and ensure that the whole family’s immigration position is properly managed.

Can you switch to another visa or settle?

Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, the Senior or Specialist Worker route does not lead directly to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). Time spent on this visa does not count towards the five-year qualifying period for ILR.

However, it is possible to switch into the Skilled Worker route from within the UK if the applicant meets the eligibility requirements for that category. This can provide a pathway to long-term residence and eventual settlement for those who wish to remain in the UK beyond their assignment.

Other routes that may be relevant include the UK Expansion Worker visa and the Global Talent visa. Our solicitors assess your individual circumstances and advise on the most appropriate long-term strategy.

Why work with our Senior or Specialist Worker visa solicitors?

With over 30 years’ experience, our team consistently handles all forms of Global Business Mobility routes, including the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, and understands the practical demands of international business transfers.

We support businesses with the full range of immigration needs, from obtaining a sponsorship licence and assigning Certificates of Sponsorship, through to managing ongoing compliance obligations and advising on the implications of business restructuring for sponsored workers.

For individual applicants, we provide step-by-step guidance on eligibility, document preparation, and the application process, as well as advice on extensions, switching routes, and future immigration options. Where an application is refused, our solicitors advise on the prospects of an appeal or administrative review and take the necessary steps to challenge the decision.

We offer clear pricing, a free initial telephone consultation, and a genuinely personal service. Our team includes senior solicitors with specialist expertise in human rights and immigration law, and we have offices in both London and Croydon to make accessing expert advice as straightforward as possible.

We are also accredited in Immigration Law Advanced and highly ranked for our immigration work in the South East by the prestigious client guide, the Legal 500, which demonstrates our high level of expertise in handling complex immigration work.

Frequently asked questions about the Senior or Specialist Worker visa

What replaced the Intra-Company Transfer visa?

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa was replaced by the Senior or Specialist Worker visa in April 2022, as part of the introduction of the Global Business Mobility framework. The new route retains many of the same requirements as the former ICT visa but has been restructured and renamed.

Can I get indefinite leave to remain on this visa?

No. The Senior or Specialist Worker visa does not lead to settlement. Time spent on this route does not count towards the five-year qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain. If settlement is your long-term goal, it may be possible to switch into the Skilled Worker route, which can lead to ILR after five years of continuous lawful residence.

What is the minimum salary for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa?

The minimum salary is £52,500 per year, or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. Where the 12-month overseas employment requirement does not apply, the minimum salary threshold rises to £73,900.

Do I need to speak English to apply?

There is no English language requirement for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa. This distinguishes the route from the Skilled Worker visa, where applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency.

How long do I need to have worked for my employer overseas?

You must have worked for your sponsoring employer, or a linked business within the same corporate group, for at least 12 continuous months before applying. This requirement is waived if your proposed salary in the UK is £73,900 or more.

Can my family join me in the UK?

Yes. Your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, and dependent children under 18 can apply to join you in the UK as dependants. They may work and study in the UK, subject to the relevant conditions.

What happens if my employer loses their sponsor licence?

If your employer’s sponsorship licence is suspended or revoked, your visa may be curtailed. You will typically have 60 days to find a new licensed sponsor or make alternative immigration arrangements. Early legal advice in these circumstances is essential. Our solicitors can advise on your options and help you act quickly to protect your immigration status.

Can I change employer while on this visa?

No. The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is tied to your sponsoring employer. You cannot switch to a different employer while on this route without making a fresh application. If you wish to work for a different employer in the UK, you would typically need to apply under a different route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you meet the relevant requirements.

Get expert advice from our Senior or Specialist Worker visa solicitors in London and Croydon

As specialist Global Business Mobility visa solicitors in London and Croydon, we provide tailored, practical advice to help both businesses and individuals navigate the Senior or Specialist Worker visa with confidence.

For further information and a free telephone consultation, call our London or Croydon offices today on 0208 681 5128and speak to one of our senior immigration solicitors.