Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer)

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JMW Solicitors does not offer services related to finding employment in the UK. If you are looking to speak to a solicitor about any legal matters concerning an immigration application, contact us today.

Intra-Company Transfer Visa

The Intra-company Transfer visa is designed for employees of multinational companies who wish to be transferred to a UK branch of the organisation, either on a long-term basis or for frequent short visits.

As specialists in UK immigration law, JMW can offer a full service to clients that require advice and assistance with their Intra-company Transfer visa applications.

If you would like to know more about the Intra-company Transfer process, contact us by calling 0345 872 6666, or fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back at a time that suits you.

How JMW Can Help

Due to our extensive contacts within the Home Office and visa-issuing posts worldwide, we are well-positioned to successfully and expeditiously manage these applications ensuring the swift movement of workers to the UK.

Our experienced team of immigration solicitors will prepare all documentation and liaise with the Home Office regularly to ensure a successful outcome. We can also work with your employers to ensure they understand the process and have correctly assigned a certificate of sponsorship to you.

With our office conveniently located in the city of London, we can assist clients based within the UK, as well as those based abroad. We are able to provide help throughout the process, with services including document checking, assistance with entry clearance applications abroad, and applications for further leave to remain in the UK.

Types of Intra-Company Visa

There are two types of Intra-company Transfers:

Intra-company Transfer Visa

This visa allows employers to transfer workers to a role in the UK. Employees will need to have worked overseas for their employer for more than 12 months, unless they are going to be paid £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.

How long can you stay in the UK with an Intra-company Transfer visa?

You are able to stay in the UK with an Intra-company Transfer visa for whichever of these circumstances is shortest:

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

What is the maximum total stay with an Intra-company Transfer visa?
The maximum total stay allowed for an Intra-company Transfer visa is:

  • Five years in any six-year period if your salary is less than £73,900 a year
  • Nine years in any 10-year period if your salary is £73,900 a year or more

Can an Intra-company Transfer visa be extended?
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 Transfer visa before your application, this time will be included in your total stay.

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. Graduate trainees will need to have worked overseas for their employer for at least three months immediately before the date they apply.

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

How long can you stay in the UK with an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa?
You are able to stay in the UK with an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa for whichever of these circumstances is shortest:

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

What is the maximum total stay with an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa?
The maximum total stay allowed for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa is five years in any six-year period. 

  • Can an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa be extended?
  • You cannot extend your visa, but you can apply for another Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa from outside the UK. You must have been working for your sponsor outside the UK for at least three months immediately before the date you apply. 

If you have already been in the UK with an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa before your application, this time will be included in your total stay.

Intra-Company Visa Eligibility

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

  • Be an existing employee of an organisation that has been approved by the Home Office as a sponsor
  • Have a certificate of sponsorship from their employer with information about the role they have been offered in the UK
  • Be employed for a job that is 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

FAQs About Intra-Company Visas

What does an Intra-company visa allow me to do?

  • An Intra-company visa allows you to do the following:
  • Work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
  • Study in the UK
  • Bring your partner and children as your dependents if they are eligible
  • Have a second job for up to 20 hours a week - it must be in the same profession and at the same level as your main job, or be on the skilled worker shortage occupation list
  • Do voluntary work
  • Travel abroad and return to the UK

You are not able to apply for most benefits or the state pension under this type of visa. You are also not able to change jobs without updating your visa or apply to settle permanently in the UK.

How long does an application take?

You can apply for a visa up to three months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. As part of the application process, you will need to prove your identity and provide supporting documents. If you need to do this via an appointment, you may need to allow extra time in your application.

Once you have applied, proved your identity and provided your documents, you will get a decision on your visa within three weeks, if you’re outside the UK, or eight weeks, if you’re inside the UK.

Can dependents work while in the UK?

Dependents are allowed to work; however, they may not be allowed to work as a doctor in training. Children would be permitted to attend public schools in the UK.

Talk to Us

To speak to an immigration law expert about making an application for an Intra-company Transfer visa, contact us today on 0345 872 6666 or fill in our online enquiry form to let us know you would like a call back.

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