The purpose of arrangements for intra-company transfers and graduate trainees is to accommodate temporary moves by key business personnel, enabling multi-national companies to move their workers between subsidiary branches. These arrangements support inward trade and investment and give effect to commitments that the UK has taken in free trade agreements in respect of such workers.
The route will require applicants to be in roles skilled to RQF6, and subject to a different minimum salary threshold from the main Skilled Worker route. It will not be subject to English language requirements but will be subject to a requirement that the worker has been employed by the sending business for a minimum period prior to the transfer (12 months in the case of intra-company transfers or three months in the case of intra-company graduate trainees).
The route will not provide an avenue to settlement. Those admitted on the route will, however, be permitted to switch into the Skilled Worker route whilst still in the UK if they meet the qualifying requirements for that route.
We will also adjust the existing “cooling off” rules as they apply to intra-company transfers to ensure the future system makes more flexible provision for shorter-term assignments. We plan to replace the existing rules with a rule that more simply requires that an overseas intra-company transfer must not hold entry clearance or leave to enter or remain as an intra-company transferee for more than five years in any six-year period, except where they qualify to be granted up to nine years on the basis of their salary.
Who can apply?
Subject to sponsorship requirements being met, existing skilled employees of the sending business, where they are being transferred to the UK branch or subsidiary of that business.
Table 12: Intra-Company Transfers and Intra-Company Graduate Trainees conditions and requirements
| Requirements | Conditions and restrictions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| English language | No | Capped | No |
| Application fee | Yes | Switching – routes (in-country) | Yes |
| Immigration Skills Charge | Yes | Route to settlement | No |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Yes | Dependants | Yes |
| Biometrics | Yes | Access to funds | No |
| Maintenance | Yes | Supplementary work | Yes |
Additional Requirements
Applicant must
- have been employed by the sending business for at least 12 months prior to the date of transfer (three months in the case of Graduate Trainees)
- meet the minimum salary requirement (currently £41,500)
- meet “cooling off” requirement
Employment restricted to role specified on Certificate of Sponsorship
Entry for 12 months for graduate trainee and five years for company transfer (nine years for higher-paid roles)
