If you are already employed and are seeking access to the UK for a work transfer to a role that is based here, the Intra-company Visa routes may offer you the greatest chance of a granted application.
Intra-company Visas are for multinational employers who wish to transfer existing employees from outside the UK or Ireland to their UK offices for training or to fill specific professional vacancies that for any specific reason cannot be filled by British, Irish or Settled workers.
This UK Visa works similarly to other Work Visas and provides a definitive path for professionals who are already based and established at a business or company who seek access to the UK for work-related purposes.
Intra-company Visa categories
If you are seeking an Intra-company Visa for yourself or for one of your employees, it is key that you make the correct application. There are a number of subcategories for this route and you must pick one that is most relevant to your situation.
To ensure that you are pursuing the correct visa category, contact our corporate specialist team who offers extensive services. We shall make sure that all relevant documentation is submitted and presented clearly in your application, helping you increase your chances of the Home Office granting your application in a timely manner.
Intra-company Transfer Visa
An employer may transfer an employee to a role in the UK. The applicant needs to have worked for their employer overseas for more than 12 months – unless the employer is going to pay the high earner applicant £73,900 a year or more to work in the UK.
Intra-company Graduate Trainee Visa
An employee may be transferred to the UK as part of a structured graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role. The applicant needs to have worked for their employer overseas for at least 3 months immediately before the date of application.
Intra-company Visa requirements
In order to qualify for this route, the applicant must:
- Be an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor
- Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from the employer with information about the role offered in the UK
- Conduct a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
- Be paid at least £41,500 for an Intra-company Transfer Visa or at least £23,000 for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee Visa
- Sponsoring companies or applicants wishing to use this route can contact us to discuss the support we can provide. We can act as an outsourced solution for organisations.
Period of stay and extensions
On an Intra-company Visa, you will be able to reside in the UK for a period of time that will depend on your type of employment and income. The time that you will be offered will be the shortest of the following three options; the time that is given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days (Intra-company Graduate Trainee), 5 years (Intra-company Transfer) or the length of time that takes you to the maximum total stay allowed.
- For Intra-company Transfer Visa, the maximum total stay that is allowed depends on your income; it is 5 years over any 6 year period if you’re paid less than £73,900 a year and 9 years over any 10 year period if you’re a high earner paid more than or equivalent to £73,900.
- For Intra-company Graduate Trainee Visa, the maximum stay allowed is a cumulative total of 5 years in any 6-year period. However, 1 year is the maximum period it can be granted at any one time and this must correspond to the structured training programme undertaken.
How QC Immigration can help
Whether you are an employer seeking a transfer for one of your skilled workers or are an employee ensuring that you meet all of the requirements, you will benefit greatly from the assistance that the QC Immigration team has to offer.
We will help you ensure that all of the requirements are met for the subcategory that is most relevant to your situation. We can assist you by putting together a well-presented case highlighting you or your employee’s eligibility for their chosen Intra-Company Visa route.
A clear and convincing application will provide a fast decision from the Home office with an increased chance of them granting your application. You can either contact us to discuss this further or book a consultation to get things started.
FAQs
Can I bring my family?
The Intra-Company Visa route also applies to dependent family members, so they can come with you to the UK on this visa. They must have a visa if they are from outside the UK or Ireland.
What are the costs for an Intra-company Visa?
In order to apply for the new Senior or Specialist Worker visa, you must pay the application fee which can range anywhere from £625 to £1,423 depending on your circumstances and whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK. There is also a healthcare surcharge which costs an additional £624 per year.
You will need to be able to support yourself when you arrive in the UK, for this you will need at least £1,270 available unless:
- you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more
- your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270
Additionally, you must consider the cost of additional resources such as legal assistance that will greatly increase your chances of a granted application.
What if my Visa is rejected?
If you apply for an Intra-company Visa and it is rejected, you may be able to lodge an Administrative Review application to challenge the decision. You must put together a very strong case in order to convince the Home Office to change their initial decision based on an error.
To ensure your appeal is properly conducted, you should work alongside an experienced team with in-depth knowledge of immigration law and the appeals process.
You can find additional resources and information on the regularly updated Home Office Website.
