Business Immigration

Intra-Company Transfer Sponsor Licence Application

The Intra-Company Transfer (previously referred to as Tier 2 (ICT)) sponsor licence allows multinational organisations to temporarily transfer overseas workers to the UK. The workers must be employed overseas, be transferring to a UK entity which is linked to the overseas entity by common ownership or control and be sponsored by the UK entity as an Intra-Company Transfer Worker.

An Intra-Company Transfer sponsor licence is similar to a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. However, workers who come to the UK under the Intra-Company Transfer route do not have to meet all of the same requirements as a Skilled Worker. For instance, there is no English language requirement. An organisation holding an Intra-Company Transfer sponsor licence may therefore be able to transfer workers from overseas more quickly when the need arises.

Intra-Company Transfer Sponsor Licence Application: Main requirements
In order to make a successful application for an Intra-Company Transfer sponsor licence, the UK entity must demonstrate to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that it is connected to the overseas entity by ‘common ownership or control’. The most common ways in which organisations meet this requirement is when:

  • one entity controls the composition of the other entity’s board;
  • one entity can cast, or control the casting of, more than half the maximum number of votes at a general meeting of the other entity;
  • one entity holds more than half the issued share capital of the other entity; or
  • both entities have a common parent entity that itself meets one or all of the above.

Joint venture agreements may also meet this requirement and there are also specific ways accountancy firms, law firms and unincorporated associations may demonstrate common ownership or control. If the corporate structure is unusually complicated, demonstrating how the entities are linked can often be complex. We can provide detailed advice on the full requirements. 

The organisation must also demonstrate to UKVI that it is a genuine organisation operating lawfully in the UK, that it has relevant HR processes and systems in place and that it has a genuine need for a sponsor licence.

Intra-Company Transfer Sponsor Licence Application: The process
In order to apply for an Intra-Company Transfer sponsor licence, the potential sponsor must complete an online application form. A number of documents will then need to be submitted to UKVI in order to demonstrate that the organisation is genuine and trading in the UK and is linked to the overseas entity or entities. Examples of relevant documents include bank statements, VAT certificates, evidence of employer’s liability insurance and evidence of the corporate structure. All supporting documentation must be submitted to UKVI within five working days of the online form being submitted.

In addition to the documentation, the organisation must provide UKVI with some general information relating to it. The required information is set out by UKVI at Appendix A of the Sponsor Guidance.

The evidence of the corporate structure must demonstrate common ownership and control between the overseas and UK entities. This may, for example, include a sworn affidavit by a senior executive or partner identifying how the entities are linked, company accounts or the joint venture agreement.

Decisions on sponsor licence applications can take up to 16 weeks, but we would generally expect a decision within 4-8 weeks.

Sponsored workers
When an organisation has an Intra-Company Transfer sponsor licence, the overseas worker can be transferred to the UK under the following categories:

  • Intra-Company Transfer Worker: for established workers of multinational companies who have either worked for the company for at least 12 months or meet the ‘high earner’ requirement; or
  • Intra-Company Graduate Trainee: for transfers into structured graduate trainee programmes. 

Further requirements sponsored workers must meet are outlined here.

Intra-Company Transfer Sponsor Licence Application: How we can help
UKVI will carefully scrutinise an application for an Intra-Company Transfer sponsor licence. If it does not consider that there is common ownership or control between the organisations, or if it considers that any of the other requirements have not been met, the application will fall for refusal. It is therefore essential that the application is prepared thoroughly and carefully.

We are experienced in preparing Intra-Company Transfer sponsor licence applications to ensure a successful outcome and will provide expert guidance and assistance to organisations throughout the process.

If your organisation requires legal assistance or you would just like to discuss your situation with one of our experts on a no-obligation basis, please contact us.