UK Secondment Worker Visa (GBM)

Your Guide to the UK Secondment Worker Visa Under the Global Business Mobility Route

The UK Secondment Worker visa is part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route. It lets an overseas employee transfer to the UK temporarily to work for a UK organisation that holds a high-value contract, worth at least £50 million, with the worker's overseas employer. The worker needs a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor and must have worked for their overseas employer for at least 6 months. The route does not lead to settlement, and the maximum stay is 2 years. This guide sets out who can apply, sponsor requirements, fees, and how to apply, all checked against the official GOV.UK guidance.

Key takeaways

• It is for an overseas employee transferring to the UK to work for a UK organisation that holds a high-value contract, worth at least £50 million, with the worker's overseas employer.
• You must have worked for your overseas employer for at least 6 months and hold a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor, in a role generally at RQF Level 6 or above.
• The visa is granted for up to 12 months initially and can be extended to a maximum stay of 2 years, counting towards a cap of 5 years in any 6-year period across Global Business Mobility routes.
• It does not lead to settlement, but you may later switch to a route that does, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
• You usually need at least £1,270 in personal savings, held for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS.
• The Immigration Skills Charge does not apply, and other Home Office fees change over time, so confirm the current amounts on GOV.UK before you apply.

Who Can Apply for a UK Secondment Worker Visa?

To be eligible for a UK Secondment Worker visa, you should:

• Be an existing employee of an overseas business.
• Have worked for your overseas employer for at least 6 months outside the UK.
• Be transferring to the UK as part of a high-value contract, worth at least £50 million, approved by the Home Office, between your employer and a UK company.
• Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a UK sponsor-licensed organisation.
• Be doing a job on the Global Business Mobility list of eligible occupations, generally at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above.

This visa is not for general transfers between companies and only applies where there is a formal secondment agreement linked to a major contract or investment.

How Long Can You Stay on a UK Secondment Worker Visa?

• The visa is granted for up to 12 months initially, which is the shorter of 12 months from the job start date on your CoS, or the time given on your CoS plus 14 days.
• You can apply to extend it for another 12 months, up to a maximum stay of 2 years.
• Time spent on this and other Global Business Mobility or intra-company routes counts toward a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period.
• After this, you must leave the UK or apply under another visa category, if you are eligible.

This visa does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), but you may be able to switch to a visa that does, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, if you meet the requirements.

What You Can and Cannot Do on a UK Secondment Worker Visa

You can:

• Work in the UK for your secondment sponsor, in the job described in your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Do voluntary work. Any voluntary work must be unpaid and for a registered charity, a voluntary organisation, an associated fundraising body, or a statutory body.
• Study, subject to some restrictions.
• Bring your partner and children with you as dependants, if they are eligible.
• Travel in and out of the UK during your visa period.

You cannot:

• Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or settle permanently in the UK.
• Do a second job.
• Work for a UK company other than your sponsor, or change jobs unless you update your visa.
• Claim the State Pension, or access public funds or benefits.

UK Secondment Worker Visa Sponsor Requirements

Your UK employer must:

• Hold a valid Sponsor Licence under the Secondment Worker route.
• Have an eligible high-value contract, worth at least £50 million, approved by the Home Office.
• Issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to each seconded worker.
• Ensure that workers only perform the job described in their CoS.

The UK employer is responsible for compliance with sponsorship duties, including reporting changes in employment and ensuring the seconded worker meets visa conditions.

Required Documents for a UK Secondment Worker Visa

To apply, you must provide:

• A valid passport, with at least one blank page.
• The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number from your UK employer.
• Evidence of your employment outside the UK for at least 6 months.
• Proof of the contract between your overseas employer and the UK company, provided by your sponsor.
• Evidence that you can support yourself. You usually need at least £1,270 in personal savings, held for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on your CoS.

If you are from a country where tuberculosis (TB) testing is required, you must also provide a TB test certificate.

UK Secondment Worker Visa Fees and Costs

• Visa application fee: £340.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): usually £1,035 per year.
• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee: paid by the UK employer, currently £525 per worker.
• Maintenance funds: applicants usually need at least £1,270 in personal savings.

The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) does not apply to this visa. Government fees change, so confirm the current amounts on GOV.UK before you apply.

How to Apply for a UK Secondment Worker Visa

Step 1: Get a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). Your UK sponsor must issue a CoS before you apply.

Step 2: Apply online. Complete your application through the official UK government website, and pay the visa application fee and the IHS.

Step 3: Attend a biometric appointment. Provide your fingerprints and a photograph at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).

Step 4: Submit supporting documents. Upload the required documents through the online portal.

Step 5: Await a decision. You will usually get a decision within 3 weeks if you apply from outside the UK, or 8 weeks if you apply inside the UK. A faster decision may be available for an extra fee, with the amount confirmed on GOV.UK.

Once approved, you will receive an eVisa, allowing you to travel to the UK.

Can You Switch to Another Visa?

The UK Secondment Worker visa does not lead to settlement, but you may be able to switch to a different visa, such as the:

• Skilled Worker Visa, if you receive a qualifying job offer.
• Global Talent Visa, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Innovator Founder Visa, if you plan to start a business in the UK.

How Immtell Can Help

Applying for a UK Secondment Worker visa requires careful preparation to meet Home Office requirements. Immtell provides expert support to help:

• UK businesses secure a Secondment Worker Sponsor Licence.
• Seconded workers complete their visa application accurately.
• Contracts meet Home Office eligibility requirements.
• Clients with visa extensions and compliance advice.

Start Your UK Secondment with Expert Visa Support

Get expert visa guidance for every stage of your secondment.

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We check this guidance against the official GOV.UK rules. Last reviewed 22 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UK Secondment Worker visa?

It is a Global Business Mobility route that lets an overseas employee transfer to the UK temporarily to work for a UK organisation that holds a high-value contract, worth at least £50 million, with the worker's overseas employer. It needs a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK sponsor and does not lead to settlement.

How long do you need to have worked for your overseas employer?

At least 6 months outside the UK before you apply.

How long can you stay on a Secondment Worker visa?

Up to 12 months at first, extendable by a further 12 months, up to a maximum of 2 years. Time on this and other Global Business Mobility or intra-company routes counts toward a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period.

Does the Secondment Worker visa lead to settlement?

No. The route does not lead to indefinite leave to remain, though you may be able to switch to a route that does, such as the UK Skilled Worker visa.

Does the Immigration Skills Charge apply to the Secondment Worker visa?

No. The Immigration Skills Charge does not apply to the Global Business Mobility routes, including the Secondment Worker visa.