Personal Immigration

Intra-Company Transfer Worker visa

The Intra-Company Transfer Worker visa is designed to enable workers who are based overseas to transfer temporarily to the organisation’s UK branch or connected entity. Intra-Company Transfer Worker replaced Tier 2 (ICT) on 1 December 2020. 

There are currently two types of Intra-Company Transfer Worker visas;

  • Intra-Company Transfer: for established workers of multinational companies who are being transferred to the UK;
  • Intra-Company Graduate Trainee: for workers taking part in a structured graduate training programme.

Intra-Company Transfer Worker visa: Main requirements
In order to qualify for an Intra-Company Transfer visa the applicant must be able to demonstrate that:

  • they have a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an organisation based in the UK that holds a sponsor licence;
  • the role represents a genuine vacancy;
  • they possess the suitable skills and experience for the role;
  • the role is at the relevant skill level (typically NQF level 6 or above) and they will be paid an appropriate salary  for the role;
  • they have sufficient funds to maintain themselves (if maintenance is not certified by the sponsor);
  • they have a TB certificate, if required; and
  • they do not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.

Length and conditions of stay in the UK
For applicants in the Intra-Company Graduate Trainee category, one year is the maximum period of leave they can be granted at any one time and this must correspond to the structured training programme.

Applicants in the Intra-Company Transfer can category can stay in the UK for a cumulative total of five years in any six-year period. This is unless they are a high earner, in which case the maximum period is a cumulative total of 9 years in any 10 year period.

During their stay in the UK, applicants must work for the sponsor in the role described on the CoS. They can also perform supplementary work in accordance with the rules and study, providing this does not interfere with their main sponsored work.

Indefinite Leave to Remain
The Intra-Company Transfer Worker visa does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.

Intra-Company Worker visa applications: How we can help
The Home Office will carefully scrutinise an application for a Skilled Worker visa. If it does not consider that the role represents a genuine vacancy 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 work visa applications to ensure a successful outcome and will provide expert guidance and assistance to you throughout the process.

If you require legal assistance or would just like to discuss your situation with one of our experts, please contact us.