Global Business Mobility (GBM) is not one visa but a family of five sponsored routes for overseas businesses that need to send staff to the UK: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker. All five are open in 2026. None of them leads directly to settlement, so they suit temporary assignments rather than a permanent move.
If you work for a company in Pakistan that has, or is setting up, a UK presence, one of these may be the right fit. Here is how they compare.
The five GBM routes at a glance
| Route | Who it is for | Key conditions | How long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior or Specialist Worker | Existing employees moving to the UK branch of the same group | At least £52,500 or the going rate; usually 12 months with the employer overseas (not needed if paid £73,900 or more) | Up to 5 years per visa; overall limit of 5 years in any 6 (9 in any 10 for £73,900 or more) |
| Graduate Trainee | Employees on a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role | At least £27,300 or 70% of the going rate; 3 months with the employer overseas immediately before applying | Up to 12 months; cannot be extended |
| UK Expansion Worker | Senior managers or specialists setting up a UK branch of an overseas business that is not yet trading in the UK | At least £52,500 or the going rate; usually 12 months with the employer overseas | 12 months, extendable to a maximum of 2 years |
| Service Supplier | Employees of an overseas company, or self-employed professionals based overseas, delivering a contract to a UK business | The contract must be covered by an international trade agreement; 12 months’ experience | 6 or 12 months, depending on the trade agreement |
| Secondment Worker | Employees seconded to a UK organisation that has a high-value contract with their overseas employer | Contract worth at least £50 million; 6 months with the employer overseas | 12 months, extendable to a maximum of 2 years |
Time on any GBM route counts towards a combined limit, usually 5 years in any 6-year period. Figures are from GOV.UK at the time of writing; check each route’s page before you apply.
What changed since 2023
The first version of this page contained several errors. The main corrections:
- No settlement. GOV.UK lists settlement as something you cannot apply for on a Senior or Specialist Worker visa. The same applies across GBM.
- Secondment Worker needs 6 months with your overseas employer, not 12, and a contract of at least £50 million.
- Salary thresholds have risen, to £52,500 for Senior or Specialist and Expansion Workers and £27,300 for Graduate Trainees.
- Graduate Trainee is decided on 3 months’ work for your employer overseas, not on how recently you graduated.
Costs
At the time of writing, GOV.UK lists these application fees per person from outside the UK:
- Senior or Specialist Worker: £819 for up to 3 years, £1,618 for longer.
- Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker: £340.
- Immigration health surcharge: usually £1,035 per year, per person.
- Maintenance: £1,270 held for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies it will cover your first month (family members need £285 for a partner, £315 for one child and £200 for each other child).
Your employer, not you, must pay the certificate of sponsorship fee. GOV.UK says a sponsor’s licence may be revoked if it asks the worker to pay the fee or costs linked to its application.
Which route fits a Pakistani business?
Your group already trades in the UK. A bank, textile exporter, pharmaceutical or IT group with a UK subsidiary will usually use Senior or Specialist Worker for experienced staff, or Graduate Trainee for trainees on a structured programme. See our Senior or Specialist Worker guide.
You are opening your first UK branch. UK Expansion Worker lets a senior manager or specialist go to the UK to set it up. The business must first get the right sponsor licence. Our UK Expansion Worker guide explains the steps.
You deliver a contract to a UK client. Service Supplier is narrow: the service and the contract must fall under an eligible trade agreement, and the UK client must be a licensed sponsor. Secondment Worker applies only to very large contracts. See our Secondment Worker guide.
You only need meetings. Short trips to meet clients, negotiate or attend conferences usually fall under the Standard Visitor rules, not GBM. Check the business visitor rules.
Common mistakes we see from Pakistan applications
- Treating GBM as a path to settlement. It is designed for temporary assignments.
- Weak proof of overseas employment. Payslips, appointment letters and bank statements showing salary credits should cover the full qualifying period.
- Picking the wrong route. If the business already trades in the UK, Expansion Worker is not the right route; GOV.UK directs you to Senior or Specialist Worker instead.
- Ignoring the time limit. Earlier Intra-company Transfer or GBM time counts towards the 5-in-6-year cap.
- Working on a visit visa. Doing productive work for the UK branch while on a visitor visa breaches the rules.
- No TB certificate. Applicants from Pakistan coming for more than 6 months need one from a Home Office-approved clinic.
Document checklist
- CoS reference number from your UK sponsor.
- Valid passport.
- Evidence of your overseas employment period (or professional experience for self-employed service suppliers).
- Bank statements showing £1,270 for 28 days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance.
- TB certificate, if staying more than 6 months.
- For family: nikahnama and NADRA certificates with certified English translations.
FAQ
Does any GBM visa lead to indefinite leave to remain?
No. If you want a route that can lead to settlement, look at Skilled Worker instead, which has its own requirements.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. On all five routes your partner and children can apply as dependants if they are eligible.
Can I extend a Graduate Trainee visa?
No. You would need to apply for another Graduate Trainee visa from outside the UK, within the overall time limit.
How long does a decision take?
GOV.UK says usually 3 weeks from outside the UK after you prove your identity. You can apply up to 3 months before your start date.
Applying from Pakistan? Send us a few lines about your case and we will tell you which route fits and what to prepare.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Rules and fees change; check GOV.UK before you apply.