The Innovator Visa is tailored for experienced businesspeople who aim to establish an innovative business in the UK. To qualify, applicants must have a viable, scalable, and innovative business idea that has been endorsed by an approved endorsing body. This visa encourages the creation and growth of cutting-edge businesses that contribute to the UK economy.

You can apply for an Innovator Founder visa if:

• you want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK – it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market
• your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body
• you meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa used to be called the Innovator visa.

The Tier 1 Investor Visa is for high-net-worth individuals looking to make a substantial financial investment in the UK. Applicants must invest at least £2 million in UK government bonds, share capital, or loan capital in active and trading UK-registered companies. This visa offers a pathway for investors to support and benefit from the UK’s economic growth.

The Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa is intended for senior employees of overseas companies who are sent to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary. This visa allows the representative to manage the business operations in the UK, facilitating the expansion of foreign businesses into the UK market.

You can apply as a representative of an overseas business if you’re an employee of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK.

If you’re a representative of an overseas business planning to set up its first UK branch, apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) instead.

You must also meet the other eligibility requirements.

The Global Talent Visa (Business Track) is aimed at individuals who are recognized as leaders or potential leaders in digital technology. This visa allows talented professionals to work in the UK without needing a job offer, promoting innovation and growth in the technology sector.

Individuals can apply for a Global Talent visa to work in the UK if you’re a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:

• academia or research
• arts and culture
• digital technology

Must also be at least 18 years old.

The Global Business Mobility Visa – Senior or Specialist Worker is for senior managers or specialist employees being transferred by their overseas employer to a UK branch or subsidiary. This visa enables businesses to bring skilled personnel to the UK, supporting their operations and growth.

A Senior or Specialist Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job at your employer’s UK branch.

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

Eligibility

To qualify for a Senior or Specialist Worker 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 work you will do in the UK
• do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• be paid at least £48,500 per year

The Global Business Mobility Visa – UK Expansion Worker is designed for overseas businesses that need to send a senior employee to establish a presence in the UK. This visa facilitates the entry of key personnel to set up and manage the new UK branch, promoting international business expansion.

A UK Expansion Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet.

You must already work for the overseas business as either a senior manager or specialist employee.

A Graduate Trainee visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to work for your employer in their UK branch.

Your job must be eligible and part of a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role.

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

The Global Business Mobility Visa – Secondment Worker is for employees who are seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment by their employer. This visa supports the temporary transfer of employees to work on specific projects, contributing to business growth and collaboration.

Apply for this visa if your overseas employer is transferring you to the UK to do an eligible job for a different organisation.

Your overseas employer must have a high-value contract with the UK organisation.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Secondment Worker visa, you must:

• be an existing employee of an overseas organisation that has a high-value contract with your UK sponsor that has been approved by the Home Office
• have worked for your overseas employer for at least 12 months outside the UK
• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your sponsor with information about the work you will do in the UK
• do a job in the UK that’s on the list of eligible occupations

The Global Business Mobility Visa – Service Supplier is for workers coming to the UK to provide a service covered by a UK trade commitment. This visa allows service providers to fulfill their contractual obligations in the UK, fostering international trade and business relations.

You can apply for a Service Supplier visa if you have a contract to provide services for a UK company, either as:

• an employee for an overseas company
• a self-employed professional based overseas

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Service Supplier visa, you must:

• be an employee of an overseas business, or a self-employed service provider based overseas
• be providing a service to a UK business under a contract that is covered by a valid international trade agreement
• be doing an eligible job – if your job is not eligible you may still qualify if you have relevant qualifications and experience
• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your UK sponsor with information about the work you’ll be doing in the UK
• have worked for your employer for at least 12 months outside the UK, or have at least 12 months’ professional experience if you’re a self-employed service provider

The specific eligibility depends on your job.