GLOBAL BUSINESS MOBILITY — ROUTE COMPARISON
Secondment Worker vs Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
The decisive difference is the business relationship. Secondment Worker is for a temporary assignment to a different UK organisation under a qualifying high-value contract or investment. Senior or Specialist Worker is for an existing overseas employee assigned to a linked UK business in the same sponsor group.
| Issue | Secondment Worker | Senior or Specialist Worker |
|---|---|---|
| Business relationship | Overseas employer and a different UK organisation connected by an eligible high-value contract or investment. | Overseas employer and linked UK business connected by common ownership or control. |
| Contract requirement | At least £10 million per year and no less than £50 million overall; the contract must be registered with the Home Office. | No Secondment Worker high-value-contract requirement. |
| Overseas work | Normally six months for applications made on or after 8 April 2026. | Normally 12 months if paid below £73,900; no minimum period for a qualifying high earner. |
| Salary | No separate general salary or going-rate points, but National Minimum Wage and working-time law apply. | Normally at least £52,500 and the applicable going rate, whichever is higher. |
| Initial stay | Normally up to 12 months. | Length depends on the Certificate of Sponsorship and route limits. |
| Maximum route time | Two continuous years, subject also to the cumulative GBM limit. | Normally five years in six, or nine years in ten for a qualifying high earner. |
| Settlement | No direct route to settlement. | No direct route to settlement. |
Choose Secondment Worker where the contract drives the assignment
This route is aimed at a worker employed by an overseas business that has a qualifying contract for goods or investment with the UK sponsor. The worker must be coming to perform an eligible role connected to that registered contract. It is not a route for supplying labour to fill an unrelated or ongoing routine vacancy.
Read the full Secondment Worker visa guide.
Choose Senior or Specialist Worker where the corporate link drives the transfer
This route is aimed at senior managers or specialist employees assigned to the UK operation of the business group for which they already work. The sponsor must be linked to the overseas business through the permitted common-ownership or control arrangements, and the job must meet the applicable salary and going-rate requirements.
Read the Senior or Specialist Worker visa guide.
Shared features and planning issues
Both are sponsored Global Business Mobility routes for temporary assignments. Both require a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, an eligible genuine role and compliance by the UK sponsor. Eligible dependants can apply under both routes, but neither route leads directly to settlement.
The correct route should be chosen from the actual corporate or contractual relationship—not from the job title alone. Using the wrong route can affect the sponsor-licence application, Certificate of Sponsorship and worker application.
Frequently asked questions
Which route has the high-value-contract requirement?
Secondment Worker. Senior or Specialist Worker instead depends on the permitted link between the overseas and UK businesses.
Which route has a £52,500 salary threshold?
Senior or Specialist Worker normally requires at least £52,500 and the applicable going rate. Secondment Worker does not use that points threshold, although employment law requirements still apply.
Has the Secondment Worker overseas-work period changed?
Yes. For applications made on or after 8 April 2026, the normal minimum is six months rather than 12 months.
Does either route lead directly to settlement?
No. A separate future-route assessment is needed if long-term settlement is the objective.
Unsure which business-mobility route fits? Call 0203 524 5439 or use the enquiry form for a sponsor-and-worker assessment.
Authoritative guidance
- GOV.UK: Secondment Worker visa
- GOV.UK: Senior or Specialist Worker visa
- Home Office: sponsor a Global Business Mobility worker
Last reviewed: August 2026. General information only; salary, occupation, contract and sponsorship rules must be checked at the application date.