The Global Business Mobility routes were unveiled just as companies became accustomed to the visa application processes for transferring foreign staff to the UK. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is one of the categories included in this new system. This visa enables foreign people to work in specific jobs and positions at a UK branch of their foreign employer.

The previous Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer (Tier 2 - ICT) visa has been replaced by this new one. The good news is that the modifications were made by merely renaming the visa and eliminating a mildly peculiar exception from the Immigration Skill Charge.

Senior managers and specialist workers are among the highest compensated personnel who qualify for the UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa. Still, you should keep in mind that it is not an immigrant visa and does not directly lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). 

A Senior or Specialist Worker visa requires that the applicant

• You must currently work for a company that the Home Office has designated as a sponsor.
• Your company must provide you with a "certificate of sponsorship" detailing the work you will perform in the UK.
• You must work a job that is listed among the eligible professions.
• You must earn at least 42,400 GBP annually.

You might be asked to submit the following credentials while requesting a Senior or Specialist Worker visa:

• A current passport or other forms of identification and national identification
• If your annual income is less than 73,900 GBP, you must provide proof that you worked for your company outside of the UK.
• Your work title, occupation code, and annual income must be verified.
• A certification that you can afford the payment and cost of your stay in the UK.
• Duplicate of your sponsorship certificate, which includes your employer's name and sponsor licence number.
• Test results for tuberculosis, if necessary
• ATAS certification if your position requires PhD-level or higher research on a sensitive topic.

You must prove to the Home Office that your request for a senior or specialised worker visa is being supported for legitimate employment. You must be careful with it as the Home Office can reject your application if not convinced.

Visa Processing Time
Usually, the time it takes to make a decision on a process application is three weeks. Moreover, it can take longer if you delay in providing the required documents or you are called for an interview

How to Apply
It's crucial to remember that the sponsorship certificate must state a start date that is no later than 3 months from the application date and cannot be older than 3 months old.

Furthermore, you must submit your documents, pay the fee and provide your biometrics as part of the application procedure. You might be able to do this at a visa application centre or online through the ID Check App.

Duration
The validity of a senior or specialist visa UK varies depending on how much you earn. You are eligible to stay in the country for five out of six years if you earn less than 73,900 EUR a year. You will be allowed to live in the country for nine out of ten years if your annual salary is over 73,900 EUR.

Fees
The visa application cost may also vary depending on how long you are going to stay in the country and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. For a three years long stay, you are supposed to pay 625 GBP, and for longer, it becomes 1,235 GBP.

This fee can be slightly higher if you are applying from inside the country. You will have to pay 719 GBP and 1,423 GBP for up to three years and for longer, respectively.

Up to the maximum permitted stay, you are free to apply as much as you like for a visa extension or a new one. You can seek to increase your stay limit as a Senior or Specialist Worker if you already have an Intra-company visa or a Tier 2 Long-term Staff visa and are currently a resident of the UK.

Is there a way for Senior or Specialist Workers to apply for permanent residence in the UK?
The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa for Global Business Mobility does not result in an immediate move to the UK. You might be able to shift to another immigration path that does result in a settlement, though.

Are dependents allowed on Senior or Specialist Worker Visa?
If they are eligible, your spouse and children (with certain restrictions) may submit an application to move in with you or stay in the UK as your "dependents." If they are granted, their visa will expire on the same day as yours.