Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence

Overview of all five GBM sub-routes with 2026 thresholds, eligibility differences from Skilled Worker and typical use cases for UK expansion and intra-group moves.

Wesbridge Associates is an IAA-regulated UK immigration law firm. Our advisers support individuals, families and UK sponsors with skilled worker visas, sponsor licences, family routes, settlement (ILR), British citizenship, appeals and compliance — combining experienced legal advice with AI-powered self-service tools.

Reviewed by Wesbridge Associates' IAA-regulated immigration advisers. Last updated: July 2026.

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) sponsor licence lets overseas businesses move existing staff into the UK, expand into the UK for the first time or send contractual service suppliers, without the worker needing to switch onto Skilled Worker. It is a single licence that covers five sub-routes: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Secondment Worker and Service Supplier. Each has its own eligibility rules, salary floors and maximum stay.

How it works

The overseas entity applies for a Global Business Mobility sponsor licence with Wesbridge Associates as its UK representative. Once granted, the sponsor is issued a Sponsor Management System (SMS) account and can assign Certificates of Sponsorship in whichever GBM sub-routes were approved. Senior or Specialist Worker CoS holders can stay up to 5 years in any 6-year period (9 years for high earners on £73,900+); Graduate Trainee up to 12 months; UK Expansion Worker up to 12 months initially, extendable to 2 years total, with the licence upgrading to a Skilled Worker licence once UK trading is established; Secondment Worker up to 12 months (extendable to 2 years) for high-value contracts of £50 million or more; Service Supplier up to 6 or 12 months depending on the underlying trade agreement.

Eligibility for each sub-route

Senior or Specialist Worker requires 12 months' overseas employment with the linked entity (waived for those earning £73,900+) and a UK role at RQF 6 or above paying at least £52,500 or the SOC going rate, whichever is higher. Graduate Trainee requires 3 months' prior overseas service and a structured graduate programme leading to a senior role. UK Expansion Worker is limited to a maximum of five workers per business and requires the overseas parent to be actively trading and to have a UK footprint (registered address, but not yet trading). Secondment and Service Supplier routes tie to specific commercial contracts and international trade commitments.

None of the GBM routes lead directly to settlement

Time spent on Global Business Mobility does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain. Workers who want a settlement path usually switch to Skilled Worker after their initial GBM period, provided the UK entity has upgraded its licence and can meet the Skilled Worker salary and skill thresholds. We advise on the switch strategy at the point of first assignment so cooling-off periods and cumulative-stay caps do not derail settlement plans.

Frequently asked questions

Do we need a UK trading entity before applying?

Not for UK Expansion Worker — a registered UK address and evidence of the overseas parent's active trading are enough. For every other GBM sub-route the UK sponsor must be an actively trading UK entity linked to the overseas business by common ownership or control.

Can GBM workers bring dependants?

Yes. Partners and children under 18 can apply as dependants under all five GBM sub-routes, with in-country work and study rights, provided the main applicant's leave is granted for more than six months.

How long does the licence application take?

Standard processing is around 8 weeks; priority processing (where slots are available) reduces this to 10 working days for an additional £500 fee. Pre-licence compliance visits, where triggered, add 2 to 6 weeks.

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