Business

How Are Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility Visas Different?

By Ryan Bradman | November 22, 2023

Table of Contents

This new system includes the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker visa. This visa permits top managers and specialists from abroad to work in a UK branch of their overseas firm.

This replaces the Intra Company Transfer Visa. Besides renaming the visa and deleting the odd Immigration Skills Charge exemption, nothing else has changed.

Do these reforms benefit employers? Do they open up the UK for business, and what’s the difference between the GBM and Skilled Worker Visa? QC Immigration is an immigration professional that can address your visa questions.

Intra Company Transfer versus Global Business Mobility Visa

Before we begin, you must distinguish the GBM from the ICT visa. We still reference the Tier 2 ICT Visa in this piece, but the Global Business Mobility Visa has replaced it. They’re the same thing, but GBM visas have taken over.

Which is ICT Visa? Before Global Business Mobility, this visa permitted workers from companies with UK operations to work there. This visa is gone. Here’s how the Global Business Mobility visa varies from the Skilled Worker Visa.

GBM vs. Skilled Worker visa requirements

One can reasonably wonder why a GBM – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa wouldn’t be used instead of a Skilled Worker Visa. Why not take use of the fact that a skilled worker Visa permits foreign workers to come to the UK to work for an authorized firm with a sponsoring license?

In contrast to a Skilled Worker visa, the GBM – Senior or Specialist Worker visa no longer requires proof of English proficiency. Proof of English proficiency is required to get a skilled worker visa but is not necessary to obtain a GBM.

Since the minimum income for GBM Visa is much greater than for Skilled Worker Visa, this method is appropriate for higher-level jobs. You must work for the company for 12 months before applying unless you’re earning £73,900+ in the UK, although a Skilled Worker Visa doesn’t need this.

Differences in pay

A Skilled Worker Visa requires a minimum salary of £25,600, whereas a Global Business Mobility Visa requires £42,400.

Do employers prefer Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility visas?

Employees prefer to be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa since it leads to UK settlement, whereas the Senior or Specialist Worker visa is transitory and requires them to depart the UK.

Tier 2 ICT, now the Global Business Mobility visa, and Senior or Specialist Worker visa holders may transfer to a Skilled Worker visa and petition for ILR after 5 years.

Senior or Specialist Worker visas are simpler for employers to get. The candidate doesn’t need English proficiency either. Minimum pay for Senior or Specialist worker visas is usually greater than Skilled Worker visas.

Does GBM last longer than Skilled Worker visa?

How long is GBM valid? When applying for a global mobility visa, remember that you may remain in the UK for 12 months after your employment certificate starts. The maximum stay on a global mobility visa is 2 years, but you may extend it by 12 months.

The maximum stay in the UK on a Global Business Mobility visa is two years, however this varies by replacement ICT visa. These visas are for temporary employment, so notify your immigration consultant if your job becomes permanent or your contract changes.

After 5 years on a Skilled Worker Visa, you may apply for UK Settlement. You may apply for the Skilled Worker Visa or another visa with a straight path to settlement after receiving your GBM.