A Business Guide to UK Corporate Visa Requirements

 


The United Kingdom stands as a premier global destination for business, innovation, and talent. For companies operating on an international scale, the ability to deploy key personnel to the UK is vital for growth and project success. However, following Brexit, the UK has implemented a reformed immigration system that is fundamentally different from its predecessor. Understanding the key pillars of this system is essential for any business looking to hire foreign nationals.

This guide will demystify the primary UK corporate visa requirements, focusing on the points-based system and the main routes available for businesses. By understanding this framework, you can strategically plan your company's global mobility initiatives.

The First and Most Critical Step: The Sponsor Licence

Before you can even consider hiring a foreign employee, your UK-based company must first clear a critical hurdle: becoming a Home Office-approved sponsor. You cannot sponsor a worker without first obtaining a Sponsor Licence.

This involves an application to the UK Home Office where your business must prove it is a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK. You will need to provide various corporate documents and demonstrate that you have robust HR systems in place to manage your sponsorship duties. This process takes time and should be the absolute first step in your plan, completed well in advance of identifying a potential hire. Without this licence, the door to sponsoring most foreign workers is closed.

The Main Pathway: The Skilled Worker Visa

The Skilled Worker route is the primary visa for UK employers looking to hire foreign nationals for long-term roles. This route operates on a points-based system, where an applicant must score 70 points to be eligible. These points are awarded for a mix of mandatory and "tradeable" attributes.

Mandatory (Non-Tradeable) Points – 50 Points Total

Every applicant must meet these three core requirements:

  1. Job Offer from an Approved Sponsor (20 points): The employee must have a valid job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a company that holds a Sponsor Licence.

  2. Job at an Appropriate Skill Level (20 points): The role must meet a minimum skill level, defined as RQF Level 3 or higher (equivalent to UK A-levels). This ensures the visa is used for skilled, not low-skilled, roles.

  3. English Language Proficiency (10 points): The applicant must prove they can read, write, speak, and understand English to a required standard (typically B1 level).

Tradeable Points – 20 Points Required

The final 20 points are usually secured by meeting a minimum salary threshold. This is where the system has some flexibility. The salary for the role must be the higher of:

  • The general salary threshold, which is currently £38,700 per year.

  • The specific "going rate" for that particular occupation.

If the salary meets this requirement, the applicant gets the final 20 points. However, points can also be "traded" for other attributes. For example, an applicant with a relevant PhD, particularly in a STEM field, or a job on the UK’s Immigration Salary List (which replaced the Shortage Occupation List), may be able to secure a visa with a lower salary, though it cannot fall below a set minimum.

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Route

This route is the UK’s primary solution for multinational companies that need to transfer established employees to their UK branch. It is the direct equivalent of the L-1 visa in the US.

The main UK corporate visa requirements for this route are:

  • Existing Employment: The employee must have worked for your company overseas for at least 12 months (unless they are a very high earner).

  • Eligible Role: The job must be at a skilled level (RQF Level 6, or graduate level).

  • Higher Salary Threshold: The salary must meet a higher minimum threshold, currently £48,500 per year, or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher.

A significant recent change is that, unlike in the past, time spent on this visa can now count towards settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK, making it a more attractive long-term option.

Conclusion: Planning is Paramount

Navigating the UK corporate visa requirements demands a proactive and informed approach. The points-based system, while logical, is detailed and unforgiving of errors. The absolute priority for any UK business is to secure a Sponsor Licence long before it is needed. From there, understanding the skill levels, salary thresholds, and specific requirements of the Skilled Worker and Intra-Company Transfer routes is key to successfully bringing global talent into your UK operations. Given the complexities, partnering with a professional service that understands the nuances of corporate immigration is the most effective strategy. To ensure your business is fully prepared and compliant, explore expert corporate services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the very first thing our UK company must do to hire a foreign national?

A: The first and most critical step is to apply for and obtain a Sponsor Licence from the UK Home Office. Without this licence, you are not authorised to sponsor an employee for a Skilled Worker or Intra-Company Transfer visa.

Q2: What is the main difference between the Skilled Worker and Intra-Company Transfer visas?

A: The Skilled Worker visa is for hiring new employees (who may or may not have worked for you before) for a role in the UK. The Intra-Company Transfer visa is exclusively for moving an existing employee who has worked for your company in an overseas branch for at least 12 months into your UK office.

Q3: Can an employee's family join them in the UK on these visas?

A: Yes, in most cases. Both the Skilled Worker and Intra-Company Transfer routes allow the main applicant to bring their dependent family members, including their partner and any children under 18, to the UK with them.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Group Medical Insurance for Employees – Benefits, Coverage & Why It Matters

Image
  Group Medical Insurance for Employees What is Group Medical Insurance? Group medical insurance is a health insurance plan offered by employers to cover their employees under one policy. Instead of buying individual policies, a company buys one comprehensive plan to protect its workforce. Why is Group Medical Insurance Important? Ever had a sudden hospital bill throw your finances into chaos? That’s where group medical insurance comes in. It offers a safety net not just for the employee but also for their family members—without burning a hole in their pockets. How Does Group Medical Insurance Work? Here’s the deal—companies partner with insurance providers to create a single policy that includes all eligible employees. The premium is either fully paid by the employer or shared with the employee. Types of Coverage Included Hospitalization Expenses Pre and Post-Hospitalization Daycare Procedures Maternity Benefits COVID-19 Coverage Mental Health Support Benefits of Group Medical Ins...
Read more

Best Family Floater Plan – Affordable Health Coverage for Your Loved Ones

Image
  The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Family Floater Plan When it comes to protecting your family’s health and finances, a family floater plan is like a superhero cape—always ready when life throws curveballs. But what exactly is a family floater plan, and why is everyone talking about it? Let’s dive into this handy guide that explains everything you need to know. What is a Family Floater Plan? A family floater plan is a type of health insurance policy that covers the entire family under one sum insured. Instead of taking separate policies for each family member, you get a single policy that can be used by any insured member when needed. How Does It Work? Think of it as a single wallet for your family’s medical expenses. Everyone shares the coverage amount, so if one member needs medical care, they can use part or all of the sum insured. Who Can Be Covered Under a Family Floater Plan? Typically, a family floater plan includes: Self Spouse Children Sometimes dependent parents...
Read more

Understanding Your Biometric Visa Appointment: What to Expect

Image
  Understanding Your Biometric Visa Appointment: What to Expect In today's globalized world, international travel and migration are more common than ever. As a result, visa application processes have become more stringent to enhance security and streamline identification. A crucial component of this modern visa system is the biometric visa appointment . If you're applying for a visa to numerous countries, from the Schengen Area to the United States, UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond, you'll almost certainly encounter this step. But what exactly does it entail, and why is it so important? What Are Biometrics in the Context of Visas? Biometrics refers to unique physical characteristics that can be used to identify an individual. In the context of visa applications, the most common biometrics collected are: Fingerprints: Typically, all ten fingerprints are scanned digitally. Facial Image: A digital photograph of your face is taken, adhering to specific guidelines (e.g., neut...
Read more