Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence Guide 2025

Section A: What is the Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?

Employers often refer to a “Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence”, but there is no stand-alone licence under that name. The Home Office issues two main types of sponsor licence: the Worker sponsor licence and the Temporary Worker sponsor licence. Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes sit within these categories, depending on the type of visa. In practice, an employer must hold the correct type of licence and then be approved for the GBM sub-routes they intend to use.

Most GBM routes fall under the Worker licence, alongside Skilled Worker and Minister of Religion. The Service Supplier and Secondment Worker routes are classified as Temporary Worker routes. This distinction matters because the licence application process, compliance duties and Home Office oversight all flow from the underlying licence type.

A valid licence is always required to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which allows the overseas worker to apply for their UK visa. All five GBM routes are temporary and do not lead directly to settlement (ILR). The five GBM routes are:

• Senior or Specialist Worker (Worker licence): For senior managers or specialist employees assigned by an overseas employer to a linked UK business.
• Graduate Trainee (Worker licence): For employees on a graduate training programme leading to a senior management or specialist role, requiring a work placement with a linked UK business.
• UK Expansion Worker (Worker licence): For senior managers or specialist employees assigned to establish a UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas business.
• Service Supplier (Temporary Worker licence): For contractual service suppliers employed by an overseas business or self-employed professionals based overseas, providing services covered by a UK international trade agreement.
• Secondment Worker (Temporary Worker licence): For employees seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment.

When applying, an organisation must select the relevant routes it requires. If only GBM routes are needed, the application is limited to those. If Skilled Worker or other Worker routes are also required, they can be requested at the same time. An existing sponsor can apply to add GBM routes through the Sponsor Management System rather than submitting a fresh application.

In formal terms, the Home Office grants either a Worker or a Temporary Worker sponsor licence, with GBM sub-routes attached. Employers use the phrase “GBM sponsor licence” informally to describe this approval.

Section B: Who Needs a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?

A Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence is required by organisations to sponsor overseas workers under one of the five GBM visa routes to either establish a UK presence or transfer staff to a linked UK entity. Organisations cannot apply directly if they do not already have a UK entity, except under the UK Expansion Worker route, which allows an overseas business to establish a UK branch or subsidiary.

The types of organisations that typically need a GBM Sponsor Licence include:

a. Overseas Businesses with a UK Link: Multinational companies with operations in multiple countries that need to transfer senior managers, specialists, or graduate trainees to a linked UK branch, subsidiary, or joint venture partner. For example, a US-based tech company transferring a senior engineer to its UK office under the Senior or Specialist Worker route. The UK entity and overseas business must be linked by common ownership, control, or a joint venture agreement, evidenced by corporate documents.

b. Expanding overseas companies planning UK Operations: Organisations aiming to establish a UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary, requiring senior managers or specialists to set up operations under the UK Expansion Worker route. Must have at least 3 years of overseas trading history and provide credible expansion plans (e.g., business plans, financial projections) with a UK footprint (e.g., a registered branch not yet actively trading). Where the Authorising Officer is based overseas, the licence will normally be granted with a provisional rating until a sponsored worker is in the UK and a UK-based Level 1 User is appointed.

c. Service Providers Under UK Trade Agreements: Overseas service companies or self-employed professionals based overseas that provide contractual services to a UK client under a UK international trade agreement (e.g., EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement) under the Service Supplier route. Must have an eligible contract covered by a relevant trade agreement, evidenced by contract documentation. These contracts must be pre-registered with the Home Office through the Sponsor Management System (SMS).

d. Overseas Companies with Significant UK Contracts or Investments: Organisations seconding employees to the UK as part of high-value contracts or investments (worth at least £10 million per year or £50 million total) under the Secondment Worker route. Must provide evidence of the contract or investment, such as financial commitments or agreements. The contract must also be registered with UKVI through the SMS.

e. UK Subsidiaries or Branches of Overseas Businesses: UK entities linked to an overseas parent company that need to sponsor workers for temporary assignments (e.g., Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee). Must be a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK, with no unspent criminal convictions among key personnel and robust HR systems to meet Home Office compliance requirements.

f. UK Companies with International Contracts: UK businesses engaging overseas service providers or secondees under specific GBM routes. Must be a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK, with no unspent criminal convictions among key personnel and robust HR systems to meet Home Office compliance requirements.

Section C: Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence Eligibility Requirements

To obtain a GBM Sponsor Licence, organisations will need to meet the following general and route-specific requirements:

¹ When testing against going rates under Appendix Skilled Occupations, salaries must be pro-rated to actual weekly hours (including where they exceed 48 hours).
² GBM time limits are generally 5 years in any 6 (or 9 in 10 for high-earners on Senior or Specialist Worker), with shorter route-specific caps as shown.

1. Presence and footprint

The Global Business Mobility rules are aimed at organisations headquartered outside Britain, yet the Home Office still requires a UK-registered sponsor to hold the licence and shoulder immigration-compliance duties. How that requirement is met depends on the route.
For the Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker routes, the overseas group must already have a trading branch, subsidiary or joint-venture company in the United Kingdom. That UK entity applies for the GBM sponsor licence and must prove it is operating lawfully by producing routine corporate evidence: Companies House filings, VAT and PAYE registrations, recent UK business-bank statements and, where relevant, statutory accounts. These documents establish both the sponsor’s legal existence and its day-to-day commercial activity on UK soil.

By contrast, the UK Expansion Worker route is designed for firms that have not yet begun trading here. In this situation the applicant cannot show a history of UK operations, so it must demonstrate instead a credible “footprint” and a realistic launch plan. The Home Office expects to see documents such as an executed office or laboratory lease, board minutes approving the expansion, professional-services contracts, a freshly incorporated (but dormant) UK subsidiary, and cash-flow forecasts that explain how the new venture will be funded. Taken together, that evidence must satisfy the decision-maker that the business will establish and begin trading within two years of the first sponsored worker arriving. Where the Authorising Officer is based overseas, the licence will normally be granted with a provisional rating until a UK-based Level 1 User has been appointed and a sponsored worker is in place.

2. Clean compliance record

The Home Office will only issue a GBM licence to organisations that can demonstrate integrity. It therefore examines the immigration and criminal history of the business itself and of each individual named on the application (Authorising Officer, Key Contact and Level 1 User). An outstanding civil penalty for illegal working, an unspent conviction for a relevant offence, or previous licence revocation will almost always result in refusal because the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the sponsor is “honest, dependable and reliable”. Any civil penalties or compliance sanctions within the last five years will generally result in refusal.

3. Genuine graduate-level vacancies

A GBM sponsor may only assign Certificates of Sponsorship for vacancies that are both genuine and skilled to at least Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 6. The employer must be able to show how the role fits the organisation’s structure, what duties it involves and why the chosen Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code is the correct match. UKVI may ask for organograms, job descriptions and evidence of recruitment activity to test that the post is not a contrived position created purely to facilitate a visa. From 22 July 2025, no new CoS may be assigned for roles below RQF 6, although transitional concessions remain for extensions with the same employer.

4. Salary compliance

Minimum salary rules apply under the GBM routes, and, where applicable, a percentage of the going rate published in Appendix Skilled Occupations. The main thresholds are £52,500 for Senior or Specialist Workers and UK Expansion Workers, and £27,300 for Graduate Trainees, and continue to be contract-based for Service Supplier and Secondment Workers. Sponsors must pay whichever figure is higher, calculated on a standard working week, and must keep payroll records to prove compliance.

Service Supplier salaries have to align with the relevant UK trade agreement’s terms, typically exceeding the national minimum wage. From July 2025, salaries must be pro-rated up to a maximum 48-hour working week, preventing employers from inflating contracted hours above 48 to meet thresholds.

5. A qualifying overseas link or contract

Each GBM route demands a different corporate relationship between the UK sponsor and the overseas entity that employs, or will supply, the worker. Senior or Specialist Workers and Graduate Trainees require common ownership, common control or a registered joint-venture between the two entities. Service Suppliers must deliver a service that is specifically covered by a UK trade agreement, and the underlying commercial contract must be registered on the Sponsor Management System. Secondment Workers may only be sponsored where the UK organisation has a Home-Office-approved high-value contract for goods or investment with the overseas employer, worth at least £10 million a year or £50 million in total. Finally, UK Expansion Worker sponsors must show an overseas trading record of three years and produce credible expansion plans supported by realistic financial projections.

6. HR and reporting capability

Licensed sponsors shoulder a continuing obligation to police their sponsored cohort. The Home Office will test HR robustness—often through an announced or unannounced visit—by asking to see right-to-work checks, absence logs, salary payments, contact-detail updates and evidence that any compliance events have been reported within ten working days via the SMS. Inadequate systems or inaccessible records can result in refusal of the licence application or, later, suspension or downgrade of an existing licence. Since 2024, UKVI has significantly increased unannounced visits, reflecting a wider compliance enforcement push.

7. Route-specific extras

Certain routes impose additional evidential requirements. Graduate Trainee sponsors must submit a brochure or curriculum that shows how the UK placement forms an integral part of a structured programme leading to a senior or specialist role. Secondment and Service Supplier sponsors must hold the correct International Agreement codes on their licence and, where the trade agreement demands it, retain proof that the worker meets any professional-body registration requirements. High-earners who will be paid at least £73,900 enjoy a waiver of the normal overseas-service requirement on the Senior/Specialist and UK Expansion routes. Service Supplier applicants must also evidence that any sector-specific professional registration or licensing requirements are satisfied under the relevant trade agreement.

Section D: How to Apply for a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence

The application process for a Global Business Mobility (GBM) sponsor licence is set out in the Home Office’s sponsor guidance and requires careful preparation. Employers must demonstrate that they are operating lawfully in the UK, that their HR systems are capable of meeting ongoing compliance duties, and that they can provide the route-specific evidence demanded for the GBM category they wish to use. Applications are made online through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS) and supported by corporate and, where applicable, route-specific documentation. Missing information or weak HR processes are common reasons for delay or refusal, so applicants should ensure their submission is both complete and accurate before applying.

1. Application Process

New applicants will need to complete an online application and upload supporting documents electronically through the Sponsor Application Portal, as per the Home Office’s “Sponsor Guidance Part 1: Apply for a Licence” and Appendix A. Businesses with an existing sponsor licence (e.g., Skilled Worker) can apply to add GBM routes to their licence on the SMS.

Step 1 – Check eligibility

Begin by downloading the current “Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors – parts 1 and 2” from GOV.UK and then the route-specific annex that relates to the Global Business Mobility (GBM) stream you wish to use. You must confirm that your organisation can satisfy the general sponsor-licence criteria (lawful operation, HR capability and good compliance history) and the additional evidence demanded for the particular GBM sub-route, for example an eligible international trade contract for the Service Supplier route or a credible business-expansion plan for the UK Expansion Worker route.

Step 2 – Appoint the key personnel who will run the licence

Every application must name an Authorising Officer, a Level 1 User and a Key Contact. The Authorising Officer is legally responsible for the licence and must be a senior, competent manager; the Level 1 User will administer the SMS after approval; the Key Contact acts as the Home Office’s day-to-day correspondent. One person may hold all three positions, but on the UK Expansion Worker route a UK-based employee or an authorised UK legal representative must normally act as Level 1 User until the first sponsored worker has arrived.

Step 3 – Decide the scope of the licence

The online form asks you to list every UK branch or site that will sponsor GBM migrants. If different parts of the organisation operate distinct HR systems, you may have to apply for more than one licence. At the same time you estimate how many Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) you will need during the first year so that the Home Office can issue an appropriate annual allocation.

Step 4 – Gather the documentary evidence

You must collate the mandatory “corporate” evidence that proves lawful UK operation – usually recent bank statements, VAT and PAYE registrations and the latest Companies-House filings – and any route-specific documents. For instance, a Service Supplier licence requires a copy of the underlying services contract that is covered by a UK trade agreement, while an Expansion Worker application needs board minutes approving the UK venture, an executed office lease and cash-flow projections to show how the branch or subsidiary will be funded.

Step 5 – Submit the online application and pay the fee

Complete the sponsor-licence e-form, upload basic organisation details and pay the licence fee that corresponds to your organisation’s size and charitable status. When you click “submit” the system generates a submission-sheet reference.

Step 6 – Upload the evidence within five working days

Complete the digital declaration and upload all supporting documents to the Sponsor Application Portal within five working days. If the full bundle is not received on time the application will be rejected as invalid and the fee refunded.

Step 7 – Consider the priority service

If you need a faster decision you may, subject to availability, pay an extra £500 for the Sponsor Licence Priority Service. When a priority slot is secured the Home Office aims to decide the application within five working days of receiving the document bundle. Priority slots are capped at 30 per day across all sponsors and are usually filled shortly after release at 9am.

Step 8 – Prepare for a compliance inspection

UKVI may conduct a desktop digital audit or visit your premises prior to making a decision on the licence application, or at any time while the licence is live. Compliance officers will assess your HR processes and records, including right to work checks, absence monitoring, salary payments, up-to-date contact details and prompt SMS reporting.

It is highly recommended to conduct an internal audit to identify and rectify any gaps before you apply.

Step 9 – Application outcome

If the application is approved your organisation appears on the Register of Licensed Sponsors and your Level 1 User receives access to the SMS so that CoS can be assigned and the visa application can be progressed. Licence compliance should now become an ongoing focus.

For the UK Expansion Worker route, licences are limited to 2 years, with either an A-rating or provisional rating (if the Authorising Officer is overseas). After 2 years, the CoS allocation is reduced to zero, and sponsors cannot renew this licence but may apply for a different licence (e.g., Skilled Worker) if a UK trading presence is established.

If the Home Office refuses the application, for example because documents were missing or HR systems were deemed inadequate, you may be subject to a cooling-off period of six months before you can re-apply, although this can be longer after serious non-compliance findings. Taking professional advice can be invaluable, particularly for complex categories such as the UK Expansion Worker route, where the documentary standard is high and any weakness can lead to refusal.

2. Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence Costs

The costs associated with a GBM Sponsor Licence include the sponsor licence application fee, which is £574 for small or charitable sponsors, or £1,579 for medium or large sponsors.

The Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) is payable on Senior or Specialist Worker assignments only. UK Expansion Worker, Graduate Trainee, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker routes are exempt. The ISC is currently £364 (small/charitable) or £1,000 (medium/large) for the first 12 months, plus £182 or £500 per additional 6 months.

The employer also has to pay to assign the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the sponsored worker. This costs £525 for Senior or Specialist Workers, or £55 for Graduate Trainees, UK Expansion Workers, Service Suppliers, or Secondment Workers.

The visa application fees vary by route. Senior or Specialist Worker applications cost £719 from outside the UK or £853 in-country for CoS of up to three years, or £1,420 out-of-country and £1,636 in-country for more than three years.

UK Expansion Worker, Graduate Trainee, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker applications cost £298 each.

Strict rules apply on the costs that can and cannot be recouped by employers from sponsored workers. Employers cannot recoup sponsorship-related fees (e.g., CoS or visa fees) from workers via salary deductions, as this violates Home Office rules and risks licence revocation.

Read more about immigration clawbacks here >>

3. Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence Processing Times

Standard processing is around eight weeks from the date UKVI receives the full supporting document bundle. The timeline can extend if further information is requested or if a pre-licence compliance visit is scheduled.

The Sponsor Licence Priority Service costs £500 and, subject to availability, aims for a decision within five working days after UKVI receives the documents. Daily allocations are capped at 30 and typically fill soon after release at 9am. Delays commonly arise from incomplete evidence, inconsistent company records or gaps in HR systems identified during checks. Applications involving multiple UK branches, complex group structures or route-specific evidence may take longer.

If refused, a minimum six-month cooling-off period usually applies before re-applying, with longer bars possible after serious non-compliance.

Section E: Summary

The Global Business Mobility (GBM) sponsor licence is now a central feature of the UK’s immigration system, offering five distinct routes for organisations to bring overseas personnel into the UK on a temporary basis. Since its introduction in 2022, the scheme has developed with further reforms in July 2025, most notably higher salary thresholds, stricter role requirements and increased scrutiny of HR systems. These changes mean employers must treat sponsorship as a regulatory responsibility, not a formality, with careful planning needed from the outset of an application through to the day-to-day running of the licence.

For businesses, the licence provides important flexibility, whether transferring senior managers under the Senior or Specialist Worker route, sending graduate trainees to UK operations, establishing a new branch through the UK Expansion Worker route, or delivering services under trade or investment agreements.

Each sub-route carries its own conditions and evidential requirements, but all demand lawful operation in the UK, a qualifying link or contract overseas, and HR capacity to meet the Home Office’s ongoing reporting and record-keeping duties. Costs must also be factored in, from the application fee to Certificates of Sponsorship and, in some cases, the Immigration Skills Charge. While the GBM routes do not lead directly to settlement, they are an important tool for international companies seeking to move staff into the UK market. The risks of refusal, suspension or revocation are significant, making preparation, compliance audits and, where necessary, professional advice vital to securing and maintaining this type of sponsor licence.

Section F: Need assistance?

DavidsonMorris are UK business immigration specialists. Our team of experts support employers to meet their talent needs through international recruitment. We advise on sponsoring workers under the GBM routes, including guidance on making Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence applications and offer ongoing licence compliance support.

Contact us for expert advice.

Section G: GBM Sponsor Licence FAQs

What is a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?

The Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence is an approval granted by the UK Home Office, enabling businesses to sponsor overseas workers under one of five GBM visa routes. These routes facilitate overseas businesses in establishing a UK presence or transferring staff to linked UK entities.

Who needs a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?

Any organisation wishing to sponsor overseas workers under the GBM routes must hold a valid sponsor licence. This includes multinational companies transferring staff, overseas businesses expanding to the UK, service providers under trade agreements, and firms with high-value contracts or investments.

What are the eligibility requirements for a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?

To qualify, the organisation must offer genuine employment at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) for most routes, meet route-specific salary thresholds, demonstrate a qualifying overseas business link, operate lawfully in the UK, and have robust HR systems capable of fulfilling sponsorship duties. Additional criteria apply for the UK Expansion Worker route, such as credible expansion plans and at least three years of overseas trading.

How do I apply for a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?

Applications are submitted online via the Sponsor Management System, including supporting documents uploaded electronically. Key steps involve reviewing Home Office guidance, nominating personnel (e.g., Authorising Officer), determining the scope of sponsorship, and estimating CoS needs. Compliance visits may occur, and expert advice is recommended.

What are the costs associated with a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?

Costs include the licence fee (£574 for small or charitable sponsors; £1,579 for medium or large), Immigration Skills Charge for Senior or Specialist Workers (£364 or £1,000 for the first 12 months, plus additional per six months), and CoS fees (£525 for Senior or Specialist Workers; £55 for others). Fees cannot be recouped from workers via salary deductions.

How long is a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence valid?

The licence is valid for 10 years and renews automatically unless compliance issues arise. For the UK Expansion Worker route, it is limited to two years, after which sponsors may apply for a different licence if a UK trading presence is established.

What happens if my Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence application is refused?

Refusal results in a minimum six-month cooling-off period before reapplying. Reasons may include failure to meet eligibility, non-compliance history, or inadequate HR systems. Seeking expert immigration advice can help maximise success.

Can I add GBM routes to an existing sponsor licence?

Yes, organisations with a valid sponsor licence (e.g., Skilled Worker) can apply to add one or more GBM routes without needing a full new licence.

What compliance obligations come with a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence?

Sponsors must maintain accurate records, report changes (e.g., worker absences), ensure workers meet visa conditions, and undergo Home Office compliance visits. Non-compliance risks licence revocation, as seen with increased enforcement in 2024.

What are the salary thresholds for GBM routes?

From 22 July 2025, thresholds include: £52,500 or the going rate for Senior or Specialist Workers and UK Expansion Workers (with salary pro-rated over a maximum 48-hour week); £27,300 or 70% of the going rate for Graduate Trainees; and alignment with trade agreements or contracts for Service Suppliers and Secondment Workers, complying with UK National Minimum Wage legislation.

Can GBM visa holders bring dependants to the UK?

Yes, partners and children under 18 can apply as dependants, provided they meet financial and accommodation requirements. Dependants over 18 may qualify if already in the UK as dependants.

What is the difference between the GBM Senior or Specialist Worker route and the old Intra-Company Transfer visa?

The Senior or Specialist Worker route replaced the Intra-Company Transfer visa in April 2022, focusing on temporary assignments to linked UK businesses, with similar eligibility but updated under the GBM framework.

How does the UK Expansion Worker route differ from other GBM routes?

It is specifically for establishing a UK branch or subsidiary, requires no existing active UK trading presence, and has a two-year licence limit with provisional ratings possible if the Authorising Officer is overseas.

What supporting documents are needed for a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence application?

Documents include proof of lawful UK operation (e.g., HMRC or Companies House records), evidence of overseas links (e.g., ownership documents or contracts), route-specific items (e.g., expansion plans for UK Expansion Workers), and details of key personnel.

Can a Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence be revoked?

Yes, for reasons such as non-compliance with duties, failure to meet salary thresholds, or inadequate HR systems. The Home Office conducted increased revocations in 2024, emphasising the need for robust compliance.

Section H: Glossary

Section I: Additional Resources and Links