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Global Mobility Services
Our Global Mobility services make sure you’re fully compliant with UK tax and payroll regulations as you bring employees into the UK, whether for short-term visits, secondments, long-term assignments, or permanent relocations.
We’ve advised over 2000 overseas-owned businesses scaling into the UK. From pre-arrival planning to final payroll submissions, you have structured support at every stage.
2000+
companies helped successfully scale to the UK
25+
years of experience
52
employees all under one roof
CIPD & CIPP
qualified
Global Mobility Services for Overseas Companies Operating in the UK
Moving employees into or out of the UK involves more than booking a flight and updating a contract. It affects income tax, National Insurance, payroll reporting, employment structures, and immigration compliance, all of which carry real risk if not handled correctly. Whether you are seconding staff to your UK subsidiary, sponsoring overseas talent, or managing cross-border assignments, we support overseas-owned UK companies through every step of the global mobility process.
Sponsor Licence Applications
Before you can bring overseas employees to work in the UK, your business must hold a valid sponsor licence. We manage the full sponsor licence application process on your behalf, from assessing eligibility and preparing documentation through to submission and ongoing compliance with Home Office requirements, so your licence is in place before your people arrive.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Every overseas worker you sponsor needs a Certificate of Sponsorship before they can apply for their UK visa. We handle CoS assignment through the Sponsorship Management System, ensuring the correct certificate type is issued for each employee’s visa route, whether Skilled Worker, UK Expansion Worker, or another Global Business Mobility route.
Secondment and Assignment Support
Secondments and temporary assignments require careful structuring to get the tax and payroll position right. We review secondment agreements, assess host versus home payroll obligations, advise on cost recharge arrangements, and determine PAYE withholding requirements, ensuring your arrangements align with UK tax rules and your wider group structure.
A1 Form
When UK-based employees travel to work in EU or EEA countries, an A1 certificate confirms which country’s social security legislation applies, protecting both the employee and the employer from double contributions. We advise on eligibility and support the application process for outbound employees moving from the UK to work abroad.
S690 Relief
Where a UK-based employee is not UK domiciled and receives income from overseas, an S690 direction from HMRC can reduce the amount of PAYE that must be withheld on foreign income. We assess eligibility, prepare the application, and liaise with HMRC on your behalf, ensuring the correct amount of tax is withheld from day one.
Supporting You With Global Mobility Challenges
Moving employees across borders opens up real opportunities for your business – but it also brings a level of complexity that’s easy to underestimate.
Here’s how we help businesses like yours manage global mobility challenges:
- Short-term business travellers: We make it easy to manage employees working on international assignments, ensuring everything from tax to compliance is covered.
- Non-resident directors: You’ll gain the assurance that directors living outside the UK meet all necessary tax and social security requirements.
- Flexible and ad-hoc travel: Managing employees’ fluctuating travel schedules becomes simple, with compliance taken care of no matter where they are or how often they travel.
Why Choose Goodwille’s Global Workforce Solutions?
With over 25 years of experience helping businesses expand into the UK, we’ve supported companies from a wide range of countries. We’re here to guide you through the UK’s cultural differences, giving you a stronger position as you enter the market and the peace of mind that your business is fully compliant.
You’ll work with one experienced partner who stays with you through every stage – from setting up your entity to handling payroll, HR, and global mobility – so you always have a steady point of contact and everything stays connected.
Whether you’re already operating in multiple countries or entering international markets for the first time, we look forward to working with you and supporting your next step into the UK.
How our Corporation Tax services work
This structured approach keeps your corporation tax position clear, compliant and aligned with your business objectives.
We review tax residency, social security and payroll exposure before relocation.
We align contracts, secondment agreements and reporting obligations.
We manage PAYE, National Insurance and benefits reporting.
We handle final payroll submissions and deregistration when assignments end.
Global Mobility Success Stories
See how we’ve helped businesses with their global mobility to the UK.
Assisting Position Green with Visas and Employment Contracts
“Goodwille played a crucial role in helping us overcome these obstacles, ensuring that our contracts were compliant with local laws and assisting with visa applications to retain key talent.”
Supporting Visiba Care with the Movement of People
“We had been active in the UK market for a couple of years, but we wanted to grow faster and move Visiba Care to the next level. For this reason, we engaged Goodwille as our local partner in the UK. They helped us take control of our corporate responsibilities, implement scalable accounting processes, and ensure everything relating to our employees is taken care of. Trying to run these administrative things from abroad was never easy when we were not clear on our responsibilities.”
Movement of People Support for Fabrique
“Goodwille provides us with a service which is both professional and personal. It is important that we have a good relationship with them and that they are able to understand our special needs. Having worked with a service provider previously, I have no hesitation in recommending the Goodwille service offering. They are alert and observant and have also taken their time to understand the core of our business and our needs.”
Need help with your Global Mobility?
Speak to a specialist today. Get immediate answers to your global mobility questions and find out how we can help you get trading quickly.
Get in Touch
Meet Our HR Manager
Jacqui Brown
As our HR Manager, Jacqui provides high quality and compliant HR advice across the full spectrum of HR services for a portfolio of Goodwille clients. She offers pragmatic advice on technical matters relating to HR issues including employee relations, organisation design, policies and procedures, implementation of new contracts and staff handbooks, benefits and salary levels, recruitment and training solutions.
Global Mobility FAQ’s
How can moving employees to the UK give you a competitive edge?
Having people on the ground in the UK as part of your international workforce can make a real difference to how quickly you win business and build trust in the market. It gives you a local presence that helps you respond faster to clients and compete more effectively with UK-based companies.
What is a Global Mobility program?
A Global Mobility program is a strategic approach that helps companies manage relocating employees across borders. Alongside handling global payroll, it ensures that your employees’ moves are compliant with tax regulations and in line with immigration processes. This program helps you to manage risk and prevent financial penalties, keeping your business on track as you scale internationally.
What is the minimum salary for a Global Mobility visa in the UK?
The minimum salary for a UK Global Business Mobility visa depends on the visa category and the applicant’s role. HM Home Office sets specific thresholds for different pathways:
- Senior or Specialist Worker – Typically £41,500 per year.
- Graduate Trainee – Usually £23,040 per year.
- UK Expansion Worker – Often £41,500 per year, depending on role and assignment.
- Service Supplier – Minimum £41,500 per year or as defined by your contract.
Salary thresholds may be pro-rated for part-time roles or temporary assignments. Additional requirements may include English language proficiency and a UK sponsoring employer.
What are the tax implications of working abroad for UK tax purposes?
UK employees working abroad may have tax obligations in both the UK and the host country. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) considers factors such as residency, duration of stay, and income source to determine tax liability.
Key points:
- UK tax residency – UK residents are generally taxed on worldwide income, including earnings abroad.
- Double taxation relief – The UK has agreements with many countries to avoid double taxation; foreign tax paid can often be credited against UK tax.
- National Insurance contributions (NICs) – Employees may continue to pay UK NICs under certain social security agreements.
- Employer obligations – Employers may need to operate PAYE in the host country and comply with local reporting requirements.
- Foreign-owned UK companies sending employees overseas should assess cross-border payroll, social security, and permanent establishment risks to remain compliant.
How does a double tax treaty affect working abroad?
A double tax treaty (DTT) is an agreement between the UK and another country that prevents the same income from being taxed twice. For UK employees working abroad, DTTs determine which country has the primary right to tax different types of income.
Key points:
- Income allocation – Salary, bonuses, and benefits may be taxed in the host country or the UK depending on treaty rules.
- Tax credits – UK residents can often claim relief for foreign tax paid to avoid double taxation.
- Residency tie-breakers – Treaties include rules to determine residency if an individual could be considered resident in both countries.
- Social security – Some treaties coordinate national insurance contributions to prevent duplication.
- Foreign-owned UK companies must consider DTTs when assigning employees abroad to optimise tax efficiency and ensure compliance with both UK and host country rules.
What is the Global Business Mobility visa in the UK?
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is a UK immigration route that allows overseas employees to work in the UK temporarily for a sponsoring organisation. It replaced certain previous visa categories to simplify international staff transfers.
Key points:
- Supports intra-company transfers, graduate trainees, senior or specialist workers, and service suppliers.
- Applicants must have a UK sponsor and meet salary, skill, and English language requirements.
- Duration varies by category, typically from 12 months to 5 years, depending on role and visa type.
- Enables foreign-owned companies to assign employees to the UK legally while complying with immigration and tax obligations.
How do companies manage Global Business Mobility visas?
Managing Global Business Mobility visa requirements includes these steps:
- Sponsorship compliance – Maintain an active UK sponsor licence and assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for each employee.
- Eligibility checks – Verify employee qualifications, role, salary thresholds, and English language requirements.
- Visa application support – Assist employees with online applications, document submission, and fee payment.
- Tracking and reporting – Monitor visa durations, renewals, and any changes in role or location.
- Cross-border payroll and tax planning – Ensure PAYE obligations, National Insurance, and tax compliance are met in the UK and home country.
Foreign-owned UK companies often use immigration specialists or global mobility platforms to streamline compliance and manage multiple employee assignments efficiently.
How can moving employees to the UK give you a competitive edge?
Having people on the ground in the UK as part of your international workforce can make a real difference to how quickly you win business and build trust in the market. It gives you a local presence that helps you respond faster to clients and compete more effectively with UK-based companies.
What is a Global Mobility program?
A Global Mobility program is a strategic approach that helps companies manage relocating employees across borders. Alongside handling global payroll, it ensures that your employees’ moves are compliant with tax regulations and in line with immigration processes. This program helps you to manage risk and prevent financial penalties, keeping your business on track as you scale internationally.
What is the minimum salary for a Global Mobility visa in the UK?
The minimum salary for a UK Global Business Mobility visa depends on the visa category and the applicant’s role. HM Home Office sets specific thresholds for different pathways:
- Senior or Specialist Worker – Typically £41,500 per year.
- Graduate Trainee – Usually £23,040 per year.
- UK Expansion Worker – Often £41,500 per year, depending on role and assignment.
- Service Supplier – Minimum £41,500 per year or as defined by your contract.
Salary thresholds may be pro-rated for part-time roles or temporary assignments. Additional requirements may include English language proficiency and a UK sponsoring employer.
What are the tax implications of working abroad for UK tax purposes?
UK employees working abroad may have tax obligations in both the UK and the host country. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) considers factors such as residency, duration of stay, and income source to determine tax liability.
Key points:
- UK tax residency – UK residents are generally taxed on worldwide income, including earnings abroad.
- Double taxation relief – The UK has agreements with many countries to avoid double taxation; foreign tax paid can often be credited against UK tax.
- National Insurance contributions (NICs) – Employees may continue to pay UK NICs under certain social security agreements.
- Employer obligations – Employers may need to operate PAYE in the host country and comply with local reporting requirements.
- Foreign-owned UK companies sending employees overseas should assess cross-border payroll, social security, and permanent establishment risks to remain compliant.
How does a double tax treaty affect working abroad?
A double tax treaty (DTT) is an agreement between the UK and another country that prevents the same income from being taxed twice. For UK employees working abroad, DTTs determine which country has the primary right to tax different types of income.
Key points:
- Income allocation – Salary, bonuses, and benefits may be taxed in the host country or the UK depending on treaty rules.
- Tax credits – UK residents can often claim relief for foreign tax paid to avoid double taxation.
- Residency tie-breakers – Treaties include rules to determine residency if an individual could be considered resident in both countries.
- Social security – Some treaties coordinate national insurance contributions to prevent duplication.
- Foreign-owned UK companies must consider DTTs when assigning employees abroad to optimise tax efficiency and ensure compliance with both UK and host country rules.
What is the Global Business Mobility visa in the UK?
The Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa is a UK immigration route that allows overseas employees to work in the UK temporarily for a sponsoring organisation. It replaced certain previous visa categories to simplify international staff transfers.
Key points:
- Supports intra-company transfers, graduate trainees, senior or specialist workers, and service suppliers.
- Applicants must have a UK sponsor and meet salary, skill, and English language requirements.
- Duration varies by category, typically from 12 months to 5 years, depending on role and visa type.
- Enables foreign-owned companies to assign employees to the UK legally while complying with immigration and tax obligations.
How do companies manage Global Business Mobility visas?
Managing Global Business Mobility visa requirements includes these steps:
- Sponsorship compliance – Maintain an active UK sponsor licence and assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for each employee.
- Eligibility checks – Verify employee qualifications, role, salary thresholds, and English language requirements.
- Visa application support – Assist employees with online applications, document submission, and fee payment.
- Tracking and reporting – Monitor visa durations, renewals, and any changes in role or location.
- Cross-border payroll and tax planning – Ensure PAYE obligations, National Insurance, and tax compliance are met in the UK and home country.
Foreign-owned UK companies often use immigration specialists or global mobility platforms to streamline compliance and manage multiple employee assignments efficiently.