What this means for your HR and sponsorship team
The closure of ICT and introduction of GBM has practical consequences for HR and compliance teams.
Key changes:
– Your sponsor licence categories and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) allocations now refer to Global Business Mobility rather than ICT.
– Salary, role and skill level rules are set under GBM Senior or Specialist Worker criteria, which differ in places from the old ICT thresholds and going‑rate requirements.
– Core compliance duties (reporting changes, record‑keeping, genuine vacancy, overseas–UK corporate links) remain critical and are now overseen using the GBM sponsorship framework.
NA Law Solicitors can:
– Audit your existing sponsor licence to ensure it is correctly configured for Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker.
– Help you select the correct GBM sub‑route for different types of assignments and secondees.
– Prepare and submit sponsor licence variations, CoS assignments and worker applications under the GBM routes.
New applicants – use the Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
New applicants who would previously have used ICT should now apply under the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker route if they meet the criteria.
In broad terms, to qualify you will need:
– A job offer from a UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas business, where the UK and overseas entities are linked by common ownership or control.
– To be a senior manager or specialist employee with appropriate skills, experience and salary level for the role.
– A valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK sponsor licensed for Global Business Mobility routes.
– To meet the applicable salary threshold and role requirements set out in the GBM guidance and Appendix Global Business Mobility.
For new overseas transferees, the position is clear: the Intra‑Company Transfer visa is no longer open for new applications, so your company should instead consider the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker visa or, where more appropriate, another GBM sub‑route.
How NA Law Solicitors can assist
Whether you are:
– An existing ICT migrant worried about extensions, switching or long‑term status; or
– A business that used ICT and now needs to sponsor staff under Global Business Mobility,
NA Law Solicitors can:
– Review your circumstances against the latest ICT legacy provisions and GBM rules.
– Advise on transitioning from ICT to GBM Senior or Specialist Worker or to other work routes such as Skilled Worker.
– Support with sponsor licences, Certificates of Sponsorship and worker applications under the new framework.
– Provide compliance audits, mock inspections and training to protect your sponsor licence and minimise disruption to your workforce planning.
