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Intra Company Transfer Visa UK Requirements
The Intra Company Transfer (ICT) visa, now rebranded as the Senior or Specialist Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility scheme, is designed to facilitate the transfer of employees within multinational companies to their UK branches.
To qualify for this visa, applicants must meet several specific criteria:
- Employment with an Approved Sponsor: The applicant must be an existing employee of a company that the Home Office approves as a sponsor. This ensures that the company meets the standards and obligations set by the UK government.
- Certificate of Sponsorship: The employer must provide the applicant with a valid certificate of sponsorship. This document includes details about the job role, salary, and duration of the assignment in the UK and proves that the applicant has a legitimate job offer from the sponsoring company.
- Minimum Salary Requirement: The applicant must be paid a minimum salary of £48,500 per year. This threshold ensures that the role is sufficiently skilled and that the employee is compensated at a level that reflects their expertise and the cost of living in the UK.
- Eligible Occupation: The job role must be on the list of eligible occupations defined by the UK government. This list includes roles requiring specialized skills and knowledge, ensuring the visa is used for positions that benefit from international expertise.
- Duration of Stay: The visa allows employees to stay in the UK for up to 5 years if they earn less than £73,900 per year. For those earning £73,900 or more, the maximum stay can be extended up to 9 years. This flexibility accommodates both short-term assignments and longer-term strategic placements.
Intra Company Transfer Visa UK New Rules
The Intra Company Transfer (ICT) visa has seen significant updates and has been rebranded as the Senior or Specialist Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility routes. These changes are designed to streamline the process and better align with the needs of modern businesses and their employees.
Key Changes and Features of the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
1. Rebranding and Integration: The ICT visa has been integrated into the Global Business Mobility routes under the Senior or Specialist Worker category. This rebranding reflects a broader strategy to facilitate the movement of skilled workers within multinational companies.
2. Duration of Stay:
- Up to 5 Years: Employees earning less than £73,900 per year can stay in the UK for up to 5 years. This duration is suitable for medium-term assignments where the employee’s expertise is needed for a significant period but not indefinitely.
- Up to 9 Years: For those earning £73,900 or more per year, the visa allows a stay of up to 9 years. This extended duration is ideal for senior executives or specialists whose roles are critical to the company’s operations in the UK and require a longer-term presence.
3. Eligible Occupations: The new rules emphasize that the job role must be on the list of eligible occupations. This list includes positions that require specialized skills and knowledge, ensuring that the visa is used for roles that genuinely benefit from international expertise. The focus on eligible occupations helps maintain the integrity of the visa system and ensures that it supports the UK’s economic needs.
4. Flexibility and Compliance: The updated visa rules allow businesses to transfer key personnel while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws. Companies can strategically plan their workforce mobility, knowing that the visa framework supports short-term and long-term assignments.
5. Enhanced Business Mobility: By incorporating the ICT visa into the Global Business Mobility routes, the UK government aims to facilitate doing business across borders. This integration supports multinational companies in leveraging global talent, fostering innovation, and maintaining competitive advantage.
Benefits for Employers and Employees
- For Employers: The Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows companies to efficiently transfer skilled employees to the UK, ensuring that the right talent supports critical projects and operations. It also helps maintain continuity and consistency in business practices across different locations.
- For Employees: Employees benefit from clear guidelines and the potential for longer stays, providing stability and the opportunity to immerse themselves fully in their roles. The visa also offers a pathway for career growth within the organization’s global structure.
Intra Company Transfer Visa UK to Permanent Residence
One significant limitation of the Intra Company Transfer (ICT) visa, now known as the Senior or Specialist Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility scheme, is that it does not provide a direct pathway to permanent residence (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK. Time spent on this visa cannot be counted towards the residency requirement for settlement.
To qualify for indefinite leave to remain, individuals typically need to live in the UK for a continuous period, usually 5 years, under a visa category that leads to settlement.
Understanding this limitation is crucial for long-term planning. Employers should know that retaining key talent may require transitioning employees to a different visa category. Employees should consider their long-term residency goals and seek advice from immigration experts to navigate UK immigration law.
Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer Visa UK
The visa category previously known as the Tier 2 (Intra Company Transfer) visa has been rebranded under the Global Business Mobility scheme as the Senior or Specialist Worker visa. This rebranding reflects the UK government’s efforts to streamline and modernize the visa system, making it more aligned with the needs of contemporary global businesses.
The primary objective of this visa remains to facilitate the transfer of key personnel within multinational companies, ensuring that businesses can efficiently move their skilled employees to the UK to support operations, share expertise, and manage critical projects.
Despite the rebranding, the requirements and benefits of the visa have remained largely consistent. Applicants must still be existing employees of an organization approved by the Home Office as a sponsor, possess a valid certificate of sponsorship, and meet the ICT Visa UK minimum salary threshold of £48,500 per year.
The job role must also be on the list of eligible occupations, ensuring that the visa is used for positions that require specialized skills and knowledge. This continuity in requirements helps maintain the integrity of the visa system while providing businesses with the flexibility they need to manage their global workforce effectively.
Intra Company Transfer Visa UK Dependent
Dependents, including partners and children, are eligible to join the primary visa holder in the UK under the Intra Company Transfer (ICT) visa scheme. Each dependent must submit a separate application and demonstrate that they meet specific financial requirements to ensure they can support themselves during their stay in the UK. This typically involves showing proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses.
The visa for dependents is generally aligned with the duration of the primary visa holder’s stay. This means that the dependent visas will usually expire on the same date as the primary visa holder’s visa, ensuring that the family can remain together for the entirety of the assignment. This provision helps maintain family unity and provides stability for the dependents while they are in the UK.
UK ICT Visa Processing Time
The processing time for the Intra Company Transfer (ICT) visa generally takes up to 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK and up to 8 weeks from within the UK. However, these timeframes can vary based on individual circumstances and the volume of applications being processed at any given time.
Applicants seeking a quicker resolution can expedite their application by opting for priority or super-priority services. The priority service typically provides a decision within five working days, while the super-priority service aims to deliver a decision by the end of the next working day. These expedited services come with additional fees but can significantly reduce the waiting period, offering greater flexibility and convenience for applicants who need to start their assignments promptly.
Applicants must ensure that all required documentation is complete and accurate to avoid processing delays. At Legend Consults, our team of immigration experts and legal advisors can help streamline your application process, addressing any potential issues that might arise and ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. Let us guide you through every step to make your transition seamless.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, time spent on the ICT visa does not count towards the residency requirement for indefinite leave to remain.
The minimum salary requirement for the ICT visa is £48,500 per year.
Processing typically takes up to 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK and up to 8 weeks from within the UK.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, the Senior or Specialist Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility scheme simplifies the process for Intra company transfers, facilitating skilled personnel movement to the UK. With clear eligibility criteria, flexible duration of stay, and benefits for employers and employees, this visa supports global talent integration. It enhances business efficiency, ultimately benefiting the UK’s economic landscape.
Navigating the complexities of international business often requires moving skilled employees across borders. The Intra Company Transfer Visa (UK) is a crucial tool for multinational companies looking to bring their top talent to the UK. This visa category facilitates seamless transitions and ensures businesses can effectively leverage their global workforce.
In this article, we will explore the specifics of the Intra Company Transfer Visa, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, and application process, to help you understand why it might be the perfect solution for your company’s needs.
