To be eligible for an Intra-company visa you need to: have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer have worked for your employer outside the UK - how long you need to have worked for them depends on the visa you’re applying for and your salary do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job Getting a certificate of sponsorship Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ with information about the role you have been offered in the UK. It’s an electronic record, not a paper document. You’ll need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship. If your employer is not currently licensed to sponsor people to work in the UK, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they’re eligible. How long you need to have worked for your employer outside the UK You must have worked for your employer outside of the UK. How long you need to have worked for them depends on what visa you’re applying for and how much you’re paid. What visa you’re applying for How long you need to have worked for your employer outside the UK Intra-company Transfer (earning less than £73,900 a year) 12 months Intra-company Transfer (earning £73,900 a year or more) no minimum time Intra-company Graduate Trainee 3 months If you’re applying for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa, you must have worked for your employer overseas for the 3 months immediately before the date you apply. Check if your job is eligible Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. You can get this from your employer or your certificate of sponsorship. When you know your occupation code, check the table of eligible jobs to see if it’s eligible for your visa type. Salary requirements If you’re applying for an Intra-company Transfer visa you must be paid at least £41,500 or the ‘going rate’ for your job - whichever is higher. If you’re applying for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa you must be paid at least £23,000 or 70% of the ‘going rate’ for your job - whichever is higher. Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table .

When you apply for an Intra-company visa, you’ll need to have enough money to: pay the application fee - the standard fee ranges from £610 to £1,408 depending on your circumstances pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually £624 per year support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt) You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply. Application fee How much you pay to apply for an Intra-company visa depends on the type of visa and where you’re applying from. What you’re applying for Apply from outside the UK Extend or switch in the UK Intra-company Transfer (up to 3 years) £610 per person £704 per person Intra-company Transfer (more than 3 years) £1,220 per person £1,408 per person Intra-company Graduate Trainee £482 per person £482 per person If you’re from an eligible country Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you’re from one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey. This reduction only applies to your application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee. Healthcare surcharge You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay - this is usually £624 per year. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply. Money to support yourself You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply. You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply , unless either: you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more your employer can cover your costs during your first month in the UK, up to £1,270 Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need . Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it. If your employer can support you instead Your certificate of sponsorship must confirm this. Your employer will need to complete the ‘sponsor certifies maintenance’ section on your certificate. This is under ‘Additional data’.

Documents you'll need to apply

When you apply you’ll need to provide: your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality your job title and annual salary your job’s occupation code the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number - this will be on your certificate of sponsorship evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK , for example bank statements (unless your certificate of sponsorship shows your employer can support you) proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one. If your certificate of sponsorship was issued before 1 December 2020 Your certificate of sponsorship will need to be updated because it was assigned to you before the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa and Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Graduate Trainee visa were replaced. Ask your employer to update the ‘sponsor notes’ section in the UK visa sponsorship management system . Other documents you might need Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide: evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK details of your training programme if you’re applying for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to give your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre. You’ll be told if you need to do this when you apply. If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation . Evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK After you apply you might be asked to show you’ve worked for your employer for a certain amount of time. The length of time depends on what visa you’re applying for: Intra-company Transfer earning less than £73,900 a year - 12 months Intra-company Transfer earning £73,900 a year or more - no minimum time Intra-company Graduate Trainee - 3 months If you’re asked, you’ll need to show you’ve been paid by your employer over this time period. You can provide: printed payslips online payslips supported by a letter from your sponsor signed by a senior staff member bank or building society statements a building society pass book

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for an Intra-company visa. Check which documents you’ll need to apply . Your partner or children will need to apply separately. Proving your identity As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have. You’ll either: have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre - this is to get a biometric residence permit use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document (you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account) You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. If you do need an appointment: the visa application centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application you may have to travel to get to your nearest centre (this could be in another country) Apply for an Intra-company visa Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) If you’ve applied through a visa application centre, find out if you can pay to get a faster decision - this depends on where you’re applying from. After you apply You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email with the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

You can apply to extend your Intra-company Transfer visa from inside the UK if all of the following are true: you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship you have not reached the maximum total stay You cannot extend an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa from inside the UK. Your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. If your job changes You’ll need to apply to update your visa instead. Fees Check how much it costs for your type of visa. Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have. You’ll either: give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point - this is to get a biometric residence permit use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document (you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account) You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply to extend your Intra-company Transfer visa You must apply online before your current visa expires. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email. How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply. After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Update your visa if your job changes

You’ll need to apply to update your Intra-company visa if your job changes to a different occupation code . You must still have the same employer. You do not need to apply again if you have an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa and your job changes as part of your graduate training programme. Your employer will notify UK Visas and Immigration. Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. Fees Check how much it costs for your type of visa. You may also need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. Eligibility and documents you’ll need to apply Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship. You’ll only need to provide other evidence again if you’ve been in the UK for less than one year. When to apply to update your visa You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job. You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered - as long as you apply before your current visa expires. You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have. You’ll either: give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point - this is to get a biometric residence permit use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document (you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account) You’ll be told how to do this when you apply. You’ll also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to. Apply to update your visa You must apply online. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email. How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply. After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Switch to an Intra-company visa

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to an Intra-company Transfer visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements You cannot switch to an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa from inside the UK. Your partner or children will need to apply separately to switch their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Who cannot apply to switch You cannot apply to switch to an Intra-company visa if you’re currently in the UK: on a visit visa on a 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 given permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds You must leave the UK and apply for an Intra-company Transfer visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories. Fees Check how much it costs . Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have. You’ll either: give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point - this is to get a biometric residence permit use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document (you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account) You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply to switch to an Intra-company Transfer visa Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email. How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) You may be able to pay to get a faster decision - you’ll be told if you can when you apply. After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Intra-company visas

Overview

An Intra-company visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job at your employer’s UK branch.

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:

you have a later deadline - for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 - for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse

Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Types of Intra-company visa

There are 2 types of Intra-company visa.

Intra-company Transfer visa

Apply for this visa if you’re being transferred by your employer to a role in the UK.

You’ll need to have worked for your employer overseas for more than 12 months, unless they’re going to pay you £73,900 a year or more to work in the UK.

This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.

Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa

This visa is for transfers to the UK as part of a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role.

You’ll need to have worked for your employer overseas for at least 3 months immediately before the date you apply.

This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Graduate Trainee visa.

Eligibility

To qualify for an Intra-company visa, you must:

be an existing employee of an organisation that’s been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor
have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
be paid at least £41,500 for an Intra-company Transfer visa or at least £23,000 for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa

The specific eligibility requirements depend on your job.

How long you can stay

How long you can stay in the UK with an Intra-company visa depends on which visa you’re applying for and how long your employer is sponsoring you for.

If you’re applying for an Intra-company Transfer visa

You can stay in the UK with an Intra-company Transfer visa for whichever is shorter of:

the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
5 years
the length of time that takes you to the maximum total stay allowed

The maximum total stay allowed for an Intra-company Transfer visa is:

5 years in any 6 year period if you’re paid less than £73,900 a year
9 years in any 10 year period if you’re paid £73,900 a year or more

You can extend your visa or apply for another one up to the maximum total stay. If you have already been in the UK with an Intra-company visa before your application, that time will be included in your total stay.

Example You worked in the UK on an Intra-company Transfer visa for 3 years, but for the last 6 months have been working in Sweden. You are paid less than £73,900 a year.

The maximum time you could now stay in the UK on an Intra-company visa is 2 years. At the end of that time you would need to spend another 6 months outside the UK before you would be eligible for another Intra-company visa.

If you’re applying for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa

You can stay in the UK with an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa for whichever is shorter of:

the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
12 months
the length of time that takes you to the maximum total stay allowed

You cannot extend your visa, but you can apply for another Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa from outside the UK. You have to have been working for your sponsor outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before the date you apply.

The maximum total stay allowed for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa is 5 years in any 6 year period. If you have already been in the UK with an Intra-company visa before your application, that time will be included in your total stay.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

outside the UK and are coming to the UK
inside the UK and extending your current visa
inside the UK and switching from a different visa

You can include your partner and children in your application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

pay the application fee
pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much it costs.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.

What you can and cannot do

With an Intra-company visa you can:

work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
study
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
do a second job for up to 20 hours a week that’s either in the same profession and at the same level as your main job or on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list
do voluntary work
travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
change jobs unless you update your visa
apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’)

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an Intra-company visa.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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Intra-company visas

Overview

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Types of Intra-company visa

Intra-company Transfer visa

Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa

Eligibility

How long you can stay

If you’re applying for an Intra-company Transfer visa

If you’re applying for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa

How to apply

How much it costs

How long it takes

Getting a decision

What you can and cannot do

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Intra-company visas

Overview

If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

Types of Intra-company visa

Intra-company Transfer visa

Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa

Eligibility

How long you can stay

If you’re applying for an Intra-company Transfer visa

If you’re applying for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa

How to apply

How much it costs

How long it takes

Getting a decision

What you can and cannot do

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