Tier 2 ICT visa replaced by the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa

Published on: 29th May 2022
Reading time: Approx 6 mins

• The UK has always been a popular destination for professionals seeking employment opportunities
• Over the years, several Visa categories have been introduced to allow skilled workers to enter and work in the UK
• One of the most popular Visas was the Tier 2 ICT Visa UK also known as UK Intra Company Transfer Visa
• However, this Visa has been replaced by the UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
• Our UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Consultant in India has discussed the new Visa UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa category and how it differs from the Tier 2 ICT Visa UK

• The UK Intra Company Transfer Visa is now replaced by the UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa under the Appendix Global Business Mobility routes
• The UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa came into effect on 11th April 2022

The UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa allows the holder to come and stay in the UK for an eligible job at their employer’s UK branch.
In order to successfully switch to a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you will have to meet certain requirements.

You cannot apply to switch to a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa if you’re currently in the UK:

• On a UK Standard Visitor Visa
• On a UK Short-term Student Visa
• On a Parent of a Child Student Visa
• On a Seasonal Worker Visa
• On a Domestic Worker in a Private Household Visa
• On immigration bail

Because you were permitted to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
You must leave the UK and apply for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa from abroad if you are in on any one of these UK Visa categories.
Some options for switching (if you are eligible), are – the UK Skilled Worker Visa, the UK Innovator Visa, and more…

Besides other requirements, in order to successfully fill a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa application, the holder must:

• Be employed by a UK-based employer that has been approved by the UK Home Office as a “licenced sponsor”
• Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK employer with information about the work you will do in the UK
• Do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• Be paid a minimum salary of £42,400 annually, for the job offered in the UK

When making a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa application, keep in mind that the maximum stay allowed is based on the salary bein paid to the Senior or Specialist Worker:

• 5 years, in any 6-year period, if you are paid less than £73,900 annually
• 9 years, in any 10-year period, if you are paid £73,900 or more, annually

However, you cannot settle in the UK on a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa.

Your partner and children can join you in the UK as ‘dependants’, as long as they are eligible. If they are eligible and get a Visa, their Visa will end on the same date as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa holder.

You / your partner / or your child – will need:

• £285 – for a partner
• £315 – for a child
• £200 – for each additional child

When you have been made an employment offer, the applicant must consider how they will meet the eligibility criteria for maintenance funds in their application.

The applicant is required to demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves and any dependant partner or children, without getting help from public funds.

Alternately, the UK-based employer can certify the maintenance funds for the migrant employee and their family.

If you are in the UK on a Tier 2 ICT Visa or other eligible UK Visa category, you can switch to a UK Skilled Worker Visa, as long as you meet the requirements.
Your partner and/or child, will have to apply for the switch, separately. They can apply with you or any time before their Visa expires.

To qualify for the UK Skilled Worker Visa:

• You must meet the eligibility requirements
• You must be able to understand and speak, read, and write in the English language

• The new Global Business Mobility category has 5 different routes
• The different Global Business Mobility Routes are Senior or Specialist Worker route, UK Graduate Trainee route, UK Expansion Worker route, UK Service Supplier route and UK Secondment Worker route
• You can switch to any of the new Global Business Mobility routes as long as the category is eligible and you qualify for it
• The eligibility, requirements, Visa validity and other aspects will differ based on the route you choose

• The Intra Company Transfer Visa has been replaced by the UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
• If you are currently in the UK on an Intra Company Transfer Visa, when extending your Visa, you will automatically switch to a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
• You can also switch to a different category like the UK Skilled Worker Visa, Global Business Mobility Visas and more…

• If you are looking to make a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa application, our UK immigration lawyers are here to assist you
• Our UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Consultant in India is experienced in all UK immigration processes and nationality laws
• Our team of lawyers can help you select the right Visa to switch to, and our team of experts will handle your documentation process
• We have been helping our clients from all around the world via Zoom & Skype and also have clients visiting our offices in Mumbai & Delhi
• The SmartMove2UK is one of the leading UK immigration law firm in India and a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Consultant in India
• For over 2 decades, we have been assisting people with UK immigration and nationality laws
• Our clientele base is spread over 26+ countries, with 1,000s of success stories
• If you are looking for assistance to apply for a UK Skilled Worker Visa, you can book a consultation with our immigration experts
• You can contact us on the below given options: