Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)

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The Graduate Trainee Visa is part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) initiative, which includes five immigration routes designed to help overseas businesses establish a presence or transfer employees to the UK.

This visa is specifically for overseas workers enrolled in a structured graduate training program that leads to senior management or specialised positions and requires a UK-based work placement as part of their training.

This route replaces the previous Intra-Company Graduate Trainee visa and comes with updated restrictions. Successful applicants can participate in their graduate training program in the UK but cannot engage in secondary employment. However, they may undertake voluntary work or pursue further studies while in the UK.

If you are not on a graduate training programme, you may still be eligible to work for your employer’s UK branch under the Senior or Specialist Worker visa.

Be an existing employee of an organisation approved by the Home Office as a sponsor.

Have worked for their sponsor outside the UK for at least 3 months, as currently required. However, the 2025 Immigration White Paper proposes increasing this requirement to 12 months, unless the applicant earns £73,900 or more, in which case it would be waived.

Have a Certificate of Sponsorship from their employer detailing the work they will do in the UK.

Be employed in a role listed on the eligible occupations list.

Be paid at least £24,220 per year, though salary thresholds across Global Business Mobility routes are under review as part of the proposed immigration changes.

Apply from outside the UK, as switching to this visa from within the UK is not permitted.

Use the reference number from their CoS for their visa application.

Apply for their visa within three months of receiving their CoS.

The application fee is currently £298, but under proposed changes in the 2025 Immigration White Paper, visa fees may range from £284 to £1,235, depending on visa duration and applicant circumstances.

Once an applicant has submitted their application, proved their identity, and provided documents, they will usually receive a decision within three weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, extensions and switching to this visa from within the UK are not permitted.

Currently, applicants must have worked for their employer outside the UK for at least 3 months. However, proposed changes in the 2025 Immigration White Paper suggest increasing this to 12 months, unless the applicant earns £73,900 or more.

This visa does not lead directly to indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Applicants wishing to settle permanently in the UK would need to switch to another eligible visa category.

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