Relocating to the United Kingdom can be a life-changing opportunity for many corporate professionals. It opens the door to a globally connected professional environment and experiencing a foreign work culture, adding new perspectives to your career path. But before that, professionals must fulfill the conditions and apply for a valid visa to be legally working in the nation. The UK Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa, now operating under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route as the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, remains the same function for multinational companies transferring skilled staff from Hong Kong to the UK. This guide comprehensively breaks down the requirements of a UK ICT visa with minimum salary threshold and processing time for local talents and their employers to plan transfers effectively.
What is the meaning of an ICT visa? Understanding the GBM Route
An ICT visa refers to the former Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer, ICT) Long-term Staff visa that allowed multinational organisations to move employees from overseas branches to the UK for temporary assignments. In April 2022, the ICT visa was closed and replaced with the Senior or Specialist Worker route, under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) scheme for corporate transfers with new rules involving a salary threshold increase. Local employees in Hong Kong working for international companies with a UK presence can still use this route, provided they meet the updated eligibility criteria set out by the government, continuing to prioritise genuine business needs over permanent settlement.
UK Intra Company Transfer Visa Eligibility For Hong Kong Corporate Transferees
To meet all the UK ICT visa requirements, applicants must satisfy several core conditions [1]:
- Approved Sponsor: Be an existing employee of a multinational organisation that has been approved by the Home Office as a licensed sponsor.
- Job Role & Skill Level: Perform a job at the required skill level on the eligible occupations list.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): An electronic record from the employer containing specific information about the work to be undertaken after relocation.
- Minimum Tenure: Have worked for the overseas corporate branch for at least 12 months outside the UK, unless they are earning £73,900 or more annually.
- Minimum Salary: To apply for the UK ICT visa, you must be paid at least £52,500 per year or the specific “going rate” for your occupation, whichever is higher.
Eligible Occupations and Skill Levels (SOC Codes)
Not all the roles can be qualified under the strict requirements of the UK ICT visa, the designated job role must be on the official Home Office list of eligible occupations, including roles like directors or managers from different industries, scientists and engineers. To check if the job is eligible, you should first find out the 4-digit occupation code (SOC Codes) of your job. The role must be strictly categorised at the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Level 6 or above, meaning the position must be at a graduate management level or highly specialised (equivalent to a UK Bachelor’s degree level) [2].
Minimum Salary for ICT Visa UK (GBM): Thresholds & Compensation Evaluation
Apart from occupations and skill level, the transferee’s salary must meet both the general threshold and the going rate for the occupation (whichever is higher). The following table summarises the latest key thresholds:
| Threshold Type | Amount | Details |
| General salary threshold | £52,500 per year
(Around HK$544,300 per year) |
Applies to most Senior or Specialist Workers |
| High earner threshold | £73,900 per year
(Around HK$766,200 per year) |
Removes 12-month prior employment requirement and allows longer maximum stay |
| Going rate | Varies by SOC code | 100% of the 25th percentile going rate is required, adjusted based on the number of hours worked (capped at 48 hours per week). |
Employers must pay the higher of these figures. Bonuses and allowances may count towards the salary in limited circumstances, such as guaranteed mobility premiums or allowances to cover the additional cost of living in Britain. However, performance-based bonuses are strictly excluded by the Home Office.
ICT Visa UK Maximum Stay with Processing Time & Validity
The UK ICT visa processing time is typically 3 weeks applying online from overseas or 8 weeks from inside the UK, depending on the supported documents submitted or the need to arrange an interview with the applicant. Applicants can apply up to 3 months before their start date at the new office.
Although the former system had a strict 12-month cooling-off period, the Senior or Specialist Worker visa now enforces a cumulative stay limit instead, allowing high earners to hold the visa for a maximum number of years with no immigration purposes [3]:
| Salary Threshold | Maximum Stay |
| Under £73,900 annually | 5 years in any 6-year period |
| £73,900 or more annually | 9 years in any 10-year period |
How Much Does It Cost? Fees and Relocation Costs
Apart from the regular application fee, applicants may also pay an additional fee for priority services to expedite the process. However, a fixed amount of the annual Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is mandated by the government to provide the applicant with access to the National Health Service (NHS) during their stay. Here’s a breakdown of the total costs and fees for one application [4]:
| Costs | Amount (main applicant) | Details |
| Application fee (Staying up to 3 years) | £819
(Around HK$8,500) |
Standard rate from outside the UK |
| Application fee (Staying more than 3 years) | £1,618
(Around HK$16,800) |
Standard rate from outside the UK |
| Priority services (if needed) | An extra of £500 – £1,000
(Around HK$5,200 – HK$10,400) [5] |
Eligible applicants may pay extra to get a decision by the end of the next working day the earliest |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Usually £1,035 per year
(Around HK$10,700 per year) |
Paid upfront for the full visa duration |
| Dependants (partner/child) | Same fees as main applicant | Each dependant pays full IHS and application fee |
Bringing Family Along: Dependent Visas & Their Rights
Your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner and children under 18 can join the main applicant as dependents on a UK ICT visa. Key requirements include:
- Eligibility: A civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK or you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply. Dependants receive permission to stay for the same duration as the main visa holder.
- Financial Support: A financial proof of at least £285 for your partner; £315 for one child and £200 for each additional child or be supported by an A-rated sponsor with a Certify Maintenance.
As dependents, partners can work full-time in the UK without restriction and their children can study there, making the route family-friendly for Hong Kong professionals relocating with spouses and children.
How Different? Skilled Worker Visa vs. Intra-Company Transfer (GBM) Visa
If you’re looking to settle down permanently in the UK, the Skilled Worker route may be a better option. While the UK ICT visa minimum salary threshold sits at £52,500, the Skilled Worker general threshold is lower at £41,700. However, the Skilled Worker route demands a formal English language proficiency test, whereas the GBM route does not. If you’re already in the UK on a transferee visa, you can switch to the Skilled Worker route, which opens up a pathway to eventually settle here permanently. Here’s a comparison of both routes to help make your decision on which one to apply:
| Feature | Senior or Specialist Worker (GBM) | Skilled Worker Visa |
| Minimum salary | £52,500 or going rate (whichever is higher) | £41,700 or going rate (whichever is higher) |
| English language requirement | None | Required |
| Prior employment with sponsor | 12 months (or none if high earner) | Not required |
| Switching inside the UK | Possible in many cases | Straightforward |
| Maximum stay | 5 or 9 years depending on salary | Up to 5 years initially, extendable |
| Settlement (ILR) path | Limited | Clear route after 5 years |
UK ICT Visa Document Checklist To Facilitate Processing Time
Insufficient evidence and miscalculations of the minimum salary are common reasons for a UK ICT visa refusal. To minimise the risk of getting rejected, applicants must have all the following documents well-prepared before applying:
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Provide a valid CoS reference number from your employer with their name and sponsor licence number on it.
- Personal Identification: Submit your passport (which must contain at least one blank page for the visa) and identity documents.
- Proof of Overseas Working: Include proof of working for the overseas employer for at least 12 months (if earning less than £73,900).
- Financial Proof: For example, your bank statements to prove that the applicant has sufficient savings to cover the living expenses.
- Proof of Relationships (if applying with partner and/or children): For example, a marriage certificate or evidence of partners living or spending time together.
Speak to Our Visa Experts Today For A Smooth Application
The processing time of a UK ICT visa depends on whether the requirements or minimum salary threshold are fulfilled. To ensure a hassle-free experience, partner with dedicated experts who can successfully guide your organisation through the intricacies of the Global Business Mobility route. British Connections is your go-to for UK Visa Applications tailored for clients from Hong Kong. We offer a complete support package that covers everything from detailed eligibility checks to professional advice and expert organisation of all your necessary documents. Our skilled team is dedicated to making sure that every application meets the latest rules, significantly reducing the chances of any delays or refusals. By letting us handle the intricate paperwork, your business can concentrate on smoothly relocating your essential team members to the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I work a second job on a UK ICT visa?
No, you are generally restricted to your sponsored job only. Taking additional employment would breach visa conditions, unless it falls under highly specific supplementary employment rules for the same profession.
2. Do I need to take a formal English language test for the UK ICT / GBM route?
No. There is no English language requirement for the Senior or Specialist Worker visa unless you eventually decide to switch to a Skilled Worker visa.
3. Can I switch from an ICT / GBM visa to a Skilled Worker visa while residing inside the UK?
Yes. In most cases you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK, provided you meet the Skilled Worker eligibility criteria and your new sponsor assigns a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
References:
- GOV.UK – Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) – Eligibility
- GOV.UK – Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations
- GOV.UK – Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) – Overview
- GOV.UK – Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) – How Much It Costs
- GOV.UK – Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application
