Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa

Graduate Trainee Visas

Graduate Trainee Visas are for overseas workers who wish to be transferred to the UK by their employer to complete a graduate training course leading to a managerial or specialist role in the UK 

Graduate Trainees are overseas workers who are enrolled in a structured graduate training programme leading to either a senior management or specialist position. They are required to complete a work placement in the UK as part of their training. In place of the former Intra-Company Graduate Trainee route, a temporary work route has been developed.

Successful applicants for Graduate Trainee visas can come to the UK to participate in the graduate training programme for which they applied. Previously, Intra-Company trainees could undertake supplementary employment, but under the successor route this is not permitted.

The new rules will prohibit Graduate Trainees from taking employment outside of their sponsored work, but they will be able to undertake voluntary work or study in the UK. Additionally, they will be allowed to travel abroad and return to the UK during their leave.

Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa Certificate of Sponsorship (Cos) Requirement

A valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job you plan to do is required to obtain a Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee Visa. You will need to have received a Certificate of Sponsorship from an employer that has been authorised by the Home Office to sponsor the position in question under the Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee scheme for us to accept your application.

It is essential that your sponsor is listed as a licensed sponsor, with an A-rated rating on the Home Office's register, unless you have previously been permitted to work with the same sponsor as you did in your last permission granted as a Graduate Trainee.

If you are applying for a Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa, your Certificate of Sponsorship must have been issued not more than three months before the date of your application.

Applicants for a Global Business Mobility licence must have a relationship, either through common ownership or control or by a joint venture agreement, with an overseas business that is interested in sponsoring a Graduate Trainee. Furthermore, the linked overseas business must offer a structured graduate programme for either senior management or specialist positions, with a genuine work placement in the UK. 

For existing licence holders under the predecessor route, the UK sponsor may not need to apply for a licence to sponsor workers under the Graduate Trainee route if they're covered by the transitional arrangements. This provision requires that the UK sponsor add a new Graduate Trainee route to their existing licence if they have requested a CoS allocation for the Intra-Company Graduate Trainee route since 1 December 2020, or if they have assigned a CoS to a graduate trainee before or after this date.

• Details of your name, job and salary;
• Confirmation that you are currently working for a business or organisation that is linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control, or by a joint venture on which you are sponsored to work, and have worked outside the UK for this business or organisation for at least 3 months immediately before the date of your visa application;
• A start date which is no more than 3 months after the date of your Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee Visa application;
• Confirmation that the Certificate of Sponsorship has not been used in a previous application which was either granted or refused and has not been withdrawn by your sponsor or cancelled by the Home Office

Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa Skill Level Requirement

You must meet a minimum skill level in order to qualify for a Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee Visa.

You must have the required skills to perform the job at least to RQF Level 6 (graduate level). A degree is not required, but the role must be equivalent to that of a graduate level position.

Generally, if the job you are considering being sponsored for is on the list published by The Home Office, then you will meet the skill level requirement for the job.

Your sponsor, however, must choose an occupation code that is appropriate for your occupation. Home Office may refuse your Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee Visa request if they have reasonable grounds to believe your sponsor hasn't chosen the most appropriate occupation code.

Considering factors such as whether your sponsor has demonstrated a genuine need for the job as described and whether you have the necessary skills, qualifications and experience to perform the job as described, as well as the sponsor's record of compliance with immigration laws, the Home Office will determine whether your sponsor has chosen the most appropriate occupation code.

Applicants must be sponsored to work in a structured graduate training program with a clear path to a managerial or specialist role within their sponsor organization in order to qualify for a Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee Visa.

 Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa Salary Requirement 

Under the Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee Visa route, employers must pay skilled workers a salary equal to or greater than both the general salary requirement and, in many cases, 70% of the 'going rate' for the occupation.

In order to qualify for the Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee Visa route, you need to earn at least £23,100 per year. In most cases, in order to be eligible for a Global Business Mobility - Graduate Trainee Visa, an applicant must be paid wages in excess of or equal to £23,100 per year, as well as 70% of the pro-rata going rate for the occupation in which the applicant is applying. Applicants who are sponsored for employment in one of the health or education occupation codes will be required to meet the going rate requirement at 100% of the prorated going rate.

Salary assessments are based on a guaranteed basic gross pay (up to 48 hours per week) as well as allowances that are guaranteed to be paid to the employee for the duration of their employment in the UK (like London weightings) or are paid in the form of mobility premiums or additional living expenses in the UK as a result of the increased costs of living in the country.

Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa Eligibility Requirement 

To be eligible for a UK Graduate Trainee visa, the applicant must:

• be aged 18 years old or more at the date of application
• be part of a structured graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role with an overseas business that has a legitimate work placement in the UK
• be an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a UK sponsor and have been assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from that sponsor
• be doing an eligible job to the appropriate skill level as set out in the Immigration Rules
• be paid the minimum eligible salary required for their job role
• be working for the linked overseas business at the date of application and have worked for that business outside the UK for at least 3 months before they apply
• satisfy a financial requirement, where applicable.

Dependents 

Graduate Trainee visa holders can be accompanied or joined by their spouse or partner, as well as their dependent children, if they meet the relevant requirements. In addition to a relationship, there is a financial requirement as well.

As part of the financial requirement, a spouse or partner would need proof of funds of £285, a dependent child would require £315, and additional children would require £200 each unless the UK sponsor can certify maintenance for the entire family. An annual healthcare surcharge and application fee would also be required for each applicant.

Global Business Mobility Graduate Trainee Visa Sponsor Licence Application

Companies of all sizes are eligible for Global Business Mobility routes, provided that they have a trading presence outside the UK and a qualifying connection to a UK business.

The UK business that will receive the worker must meet the following requirements to hold a Global Business Mobility sponsor licence:

• Have an existing presence in the UK;
• Have qualifying links to an overseas business from which it will receive workers;
• Have suitable key personnel who will be responsible for the managing the licence; and
• Have systems in place to meet the sponsor licence duties.