Movement of People Timeline
There are a number of benefits to moving employees from your home country to the UK however, since the UK is no longer a part of the EU, movement into the country has become considerably more difficult. You may be able to visit the UK on short term assignments under the business Visa, however if you wish to stay for longer it’s likely you will require a visa – the vast majority of which require sponsorship from an employer.
Despite the new and extended process, there remains distinct benefits in bringing employees from HQ to the UK, including knowledge of systems & processes, existing clients and helping to build the company culture. This knowledge can be quickly shared with new UK hires.
The fees stated below are a guide. Additional fees may apply for certificate of sponsorship, immigration skills charges and also fast track fees.
Understanding Your Visa Options
Visit this link here should you wish to visit the UK for work, to understand whether you require a work Visa.
- If you are in the UK on a short-term assignment for work, you may be able to use a business visitor visa.
- If you are a leader in your discipline, the Global Talent Visa might be suitable.
- If you are launching the UK operations, the UK Expansion Workwear Visa might work.
- If none are suitable, you may need to apply for a sponsorship license.
Our step-by-step timeline will guide you through the options, the associated costs, possible limitations to the different visas, and the timeframe.
We would recommend speaking to an immigration lawyer as part of the process to help you identify the most suitable Visa type for you.
| Name of Visa | Sponsorship Requiremnts | Timeframe of Decision | Validity | Limitations | Rough Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Visitor Visa | No | Up to 3 weeks | Up to 6 months (can be extended) | Only certain work related activities can be done | £100 |
| Global Talent Visa | No | Outside of the UK, 3 weeks | Up to 5 years (can be extended, see terms) | Have to be top of league within respective industry | £1000+ |
| Expansion Worker Visa | Yes | Outside of the UK, 3 weeks | 1 year | Eligible job tole, minimum salary requirements, 1+ year of employment with overseas employer, minimum amount in personal bank | £800+ |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Yes | 3 weeks (once sponsorship is granted) | 1 year | Eligible job tole, minimum salary requirements, required level of English, minimum amount in personal bank | £900+ |
| Senior / Specialist Worker Visa | Yes | 4 weeks (once sponsorship is granted) | Up to 5 years (can be extended, see terms) | Eligible job tole, minimum salary requirements, duration of service affects required min salary, minimum amount in personal bank | £1,200-£2,000+ |
Understanding the Business Visitor Visa
Granted fairly quickly and cheaply compared to most other Visa types, with no requirement for sponsorship, the Business Visitor Visa is valid for up to 6 months. Unfortunately, there are strict activities you can partake in whilst in the UK however, the process and costs of the Visa are considerably quicker and cheaper compared to many other options, so you should consider this as the first option. Accepted activities include but are not limited to:
- attending interviews, meetings, conferences and seminars
- negotiating and sign deals and contracts
- attending trade fairs to promote your business (you cannot sell things)
- partaking in work-related training if you’re employed overseas and the training is not available in your home country
See the full list here: https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/visit-on-business
It should be noted that, depending on your nationality, you may not need to apply for anything at all. Visit here to check.
Global Talent Visa
There is a popular visa option that does not require a sponsorship, and can be granted fairly quickly. This would be a Global Talent Visa.
This requires endorsements to prove that you are a leader or potential leader (top of their league) in one of the following fields:
– Academia or Research
– Arts and Culture
– Digital Technology
UK Expansion Worker Visa
A UK Expansion Worker Visa allows you to come to the UK to help set up the operations of an overseas business that has not yet started trading in the UK. If you are already trading in the UK, this visa does not apply.
To be eligible you need:
– a valid sponsorship from your employer
– do a job on the eligible list of occupations
– paid the minimal eligible salary required for your job (at least £45,800 pa or the going rate)
– worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months (subject to acceptances, see them here)
Understanding alternative visas:
If none of the Visa’s work for you currently, your UK business is likely going to require a sponsorship license, which will allow you to sponsor individuals to come to the UK.
To apply for a sponsorship license you must have a UK company, an FCA regulated UK bank account and someone working in the UK for the UK company at an appropriate level with clear oversight of the recruitment process, to act as the “Authorising Officer”.
Our HR Team will work with you throughout the full application process and help you compile all the relevant information to ensure a smooth and efficient submission.
Apply for a certificate of Sponsorship
Once the sponsorship license has been granted (this must be done for each employee you plan to send to the UK) the employee must use it to apply for their visa within 3 months.
Undefined Certificates for Expansion Workers (for Skilled Worker Visa applying from outside the UK):
Ability to assign one certificate of sponsorship by the authorising officer so the employee can enter the UK. When the visa is granted, you can upgrade your licence to an A-rating and request an additional 4 certificates of sponsorship.
Relocate to the UK
We have a number of trusted partners who can help family move to the UK as well as keep track of timeframes and key responsibilities as part of the visa you have been granted. Speak to our HR team to find out more.
