Intra-company Transfer Visa — United Kingdom

The old Intra-company Transfer visa now operates under the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility) route. Multinational businesses can transfer key staff to a UK branch under conditions set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Who this is for

This route is for employees whose overseas employer wants to assign them to its UK branch in an eligible role. The position must fit the structure of the Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility).

It applies to established employees of multinational companies. It does not cover business visits, tourism, study, or marriage visits.

You must:

• Work for an employer with a UK branch
• Be assigned to an eligible job at that UK branch
• Apply under the correct Global Business Mobility category

The Intra-company Transfer route has been replaced by these sub-categories:

UKVI assesses your application under the category that matches your role and purpose.

What it allows

This visa lets you come to or stay in the UK to do the job listed in your application at your employer’s UK branch.

You may only perform the role for which your employer assigns you. The visa is not a general work permit for other UK employers.

Key features:

• Work limited to your sponsoring employer’s UK branch
• Permission tied to a specific eligible job
• Oversight and decisions by UKVI
• Entry clearance subject to UK Border Force at the port of entry

Your employer must assign you to the correct Global Business Mobility route. This involves sponsorship and a Form Certificate of Sponsorship, issued by a licensed UK employer and recorded with UKVI.

If you need current fees or processing times, refer to the latest UKVI figures.

Choosing the right UK visa

You must select the visa that matches your purpose and employment structure.

Compare the main work options:

If you are not transferring within the same company group, the Skilled Worker Visa may be more appropriate.

UKVI decides applications strictly based on the requirements of the route you select.

You must secure approval from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) before you travel to the UK. Both you and your sponsoring employer have defined roles, and each step must be completed correctly to avoid delays or rejection.

Start: employer and worker steps

Your employer starts the process by assigning you a Form Certificate of Sponsorship for the relevant route, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Graduate Trainee Visa, UK Expansion Worker Visa, or Service Supplier Visa. This confirms that the role fits the intra-company transfer framework.

You must review the eligibility requirements for your specific category before starting the online application. Do not rely on requirements from the Skilled Worker Visa, as it is a separate route.

Initial steps:

1. Confirm your visa category with your employer.

2. Obtain your Certificate of Sponsorship details.

3. Gather identity and supporting documents.

4. Review the current application form and instructions from UKVI.

Filing an application does not guarantee approval. UKVI checks if you meet the rules for your route.

How to submit

You must apply online through UKVI. Complete every required section of the intra-company transfer application form.

Provide proof of identity and upload all required supporting documents. An incomplete submission will not be processed.

Follow this sequence:

1. Access the correct online application for your visa route.

2. Enter your Certificate of Sponsorship details exactly as issued.

3. Upload identity and supporting documents.

4. Review your answers for accuracy.

5. Submit the form through the UKVI system.

Use the most current version of the form and instructions from UKVI before starting. Requirements can change, and using an outdated form can lead to rejection.

You must receive approval before travelling to the UK. UK Border Force will assess your entry at the port of arrival, but UKVI makes the visa decision.

Before you send: checks and signatures

Check every section of your form before submission. Missing information can delay or invalidate your application.

Focus on these points:

• All required fields completed
• Accurate personal and financial details
• Correct Certificate of Sponsorship information
• Required documents uploaded
• Signatures and dates included where required

An unsigned form may be returned without processing. Confirm that you signed and dated all mandatory declarations.

Personal information, such as your National Insurance number or payment details, must be entered correctly. Errors can cause processing issues.

If you are unsure about a requirement, consult UKVI’s official guidance before submitting.

The UK Intra-Company routes do not all lead to settlement. Your long-term options depend on the specific Global Business Mobility visa you hold and your future plans.

Settlement prospects

The Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (formerly the Intra-Company Transfer route) does not lead directly to indefinite leave to remain. Time spent under this route does not, by itself, create a settlement pathway with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Other Global Business Mobility routes also lack a direct path to permanent residence:

• UK Expansion Worker Visa
• Graduate Trainee Visa
• Service Supplier Visa

If you want to settle in the UK, you usually need to switch into a route that offers settlement, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, if you meet the eligibility criteria and obtain a new Form Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor.

You must review your Form SU07 Certificate of Sponsorship details carefully before planning a switch. UKVI assesses your eligibility based on your role, salary, and sponsor compliance history at the time of application.

Re-eligibility after time outside the UK

Your ability to return under the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa depends on UKVI’s cooling-off and maximum stay rules. These limits apply to the total time you can spend in the UK under this route.

If you reach the maximum permitted stay, you must leave the UK. You may need to spend a defined period outside the UK before you can apply again under the same category, depending on the specific conditions in force at the time of your application.

Before reapplying, check:

• Whether you have reached the maximum cumulative stay
• Whether a cooling-off period applies
• Whether your employer can assign a new Certificate of Sponsorship
• Whether your salary and role still meet route requirements

UKVI will assess your new application independently. UK Border Force will determine entry at the port of arrival based on your valid visa and supporting documents.

Your eligibility depends on your employment relationship and the accuracy of your Form Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) checks whether your sponsor details and job information align with your application.

Sponsor status and employee relationship

You must show clear evidence of your employment status and your connection to the sponsoring employer. UKVI expects your application to reflect an active and genuine relationship with the entity sponsoring you under the relevant route, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Graduate Trainee Visa, or UK Expansion Worker Visa.

Your sponsor must issue the Certificate of Sponsorship in its official capacity. The information provided must accurately describe your role and confirm that the organisation supports your transfer.

Focus on these core elements:

• Your current employment status
• The legal name of the sponsoring employer
• The exact relationship between you and that employer
• Consistency with the visa route selected (for example, Senior or Specialist Worker Visa rather than Skilled Worker Visa)

If you change employers, you cannot rely on the previous sponsor’s details. A new sponsoring entity must issue a new Certificate of Sponsorship before you apply again.

Certificate of sponsorship and job details

Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) forms the foundation of your application. UKVI uses it to assess whether your role and employment details meet the requirements of the specific route.

The CoS must clearly state:

• Your job title
• Your role within the company
• Your sponsoring employer’s details
• Information that matches your employment status

If you apply under categories such as the Service Supplier Visa or an intra-company route, your job details must reflect the correct visa pathway. UKVI reviews this information closely.

Any inconsistency can delay a decision or lead to refusal.

Verify matching details

Confirm that every detail on your Certificate of Sponsorship matches your passport and job offer before you submit your application.

Check the following carefully:

1. Your full name as shown in your passport

2. Your passport number

3. Your job title and role description

4. The sponsoring employer’s exact legal name

Even minor discrepancies can cause problems during processing by UKVI or at the border with UK Border Force.

You carry responsibility for accuracy. Review the CoS against your passport and written job offer line by line before you apply.

Most refusals under the UK Intra-Company Transfer route stem from preventable filing mistakes, missing documents, or weak financial evidence. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) focuses closely on sponsorship accuracy, identity proof, and income documentation across routes such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, Graduate Trainee Visa, UK Expansion Worker Visa, and Service Supplier Visa.

Typical errors that cause refusals

You risk refusal when you submit your application without all required supporting documents. UKVI expects complete evidence at the time of submission, not after a request.

Common errors include:

• Missing proof of identity
• Incorrect employer sponsorship details
• Filing without required approvals
• Submitting an incomplete Form Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference
• Failing to complete mandatory steps before applying

Errors in sponsorship details are particularly serious. If your employer’s information does not match the records linked to your Certificate of Sponsorship, UKVI may refuse the application without giving you an opportunity to correct it.

The table below shows how common mistakes lead to refusal:

Accuracy matters. Even small inconsistencies can lead to refusal.

How to avoid document-related issues

You prevent most document refusals by preparing your file in a structured way before submitting the online form.

Take these steps:

1. Confirm your Certificate of Sponsorship details match your passport and employer records.

2. Upload clear proof of identity exactly as required.

3. Complete all prerequisite steps before submitting the application.

4. Include every required supporting document at the time of filing.

Do not assume UKVI will request missing evidence. In many cases, officers decide based only on what you submit.

If you apply under a sub-route such as the Graduate Trainee Visa or UK Expansion Worker Visa, verify that your sponsor has completed all required sponsorship actions before you file. Incomplete sponsorship records can undermine an otherwise valid case.

Income and evidence pitfalls

Insufficient income or incomplete financial documentation frequently leads to refusal. You must meet the applicable minimum income requirement and prove it with proper evidence.

Common financial mistakes include:

• Submitting partial income records
• Omitting required employment evidence
• Providing documents that do not clearly show your earnings

UKVI assesses whether your income meets the relevant threshold for your route, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa. If your documentation does not clearly demonstrate that you meet the requirement, UKVI may refuse the application even if you actually earn enough.

Ensure your financial evidence:

• Clearly identifies you
• Matches the details on your application
• Shows income meeting the minimum requirement

Incomplete or inconsistent financial documents create doubt. Clear, complete, and matching evidence reduces the risk of refusal.