UK SENIOR OR SPECIALIST WORKER VISA FOR EMPLOYEES OF SWISS COMPANIES

The Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa is available to senior managers and specialist employees of Swiss companies looking to undertake temporary work assignments in the UK. This visa allows employees of Swiss businesses based outside the UK to be transferred to a UK business linked to their employer overseas, often referred to as an intra-company transfer.

The UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa does not directly lead to UK settlement, but it allows for the possibility of switching to other immigration routes that do. Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) can also bring their partner and dependent children to the UK.

Requirements for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa for Swiss Citizens (and non-Swiss Citizens) in Switzerland

To qualify for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa from Switzerland, applicants must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration of the following:

• Age: You must be 18 or older.

• Employment Link: You must currently work for a business linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership, control, or a joint venture.

• Work History: You must have worked for the linked business outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you earn £73,900 or more annually.

• Certificate of Sponsorship: You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your UK sponsor.

• Job Validity: The job must be genuine and at an appropriate skill level.

• Salary: You must be paid at least £48,500 per year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.

• Immigration Skills Charge: Your UK sponsor must have paid this charge.

• Financial Support: You must have enough money to support yourself without public funds.

• Health: You must provide a valid TB certificate if required.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy when applying from Switzerland may vary depending on your personal circumstances. You may wish to consult a specialist UK immigration law firm in Switzerland for expert advice.

Overseas Work Requirement for Swiss Citizens (and non-Swiss Citizens) Undertaking an Intra-Company Transfer to the UK

If you earn less than £73,900 per year, you must have worked for your linked business outside the UK for at least 12 months. This period can be accumulated historically if you had continuous employment with the linked business, with allowable breaks for specific reasons like statutory leave or humanitarian work.

If you earn £73,900 or more, you do not need to meet the 12-month overseas work requirement.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement for Swiss Employees (and non-Swiss Employees) Transferring to a UK Company

As a Swiss employee (or non-Swiss employee) in Switzerland transferring to a UK business linked to your employer, to obtain a UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you need a valid CoS from a UK employer authorised by the Home Office to sponsor Senior or Specialist Workers. The CoS must:

• Be issued by an A-rated sponsor unless continuing work for the same sponsor.

• Be issued within three months before your visa application.

• Include details of your name, job, and salary.

• Confirm you have worked outside the UK for 12 months if earning less than £73,900.

• Have a start date within three months of your application.

• Not have been used in a previous application that was granted, refused, or withdrawn.

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Genuine Job Requirement

Senior or Specialist Worker Visa applicants must demonstrate that the job in the UK is genuine. The Home Office will refuse applications from residents of Switzerland if the job does not exist, is a sham, or was created mainly for the visa application. They will also check that you will not be filling a temporary or permanent position for a third party or undertaking contract work.

Skill Level Requirement for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa from Switzerland

The job in the UK must be at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent). A degree is not required, but the role must match this level. Eligible jobs are listed by the Home Office in Appendix Skilled Occupations with their SOC 2020 occupation codes.

UK Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Salary Requirement for Swiss Residents

In order to qualify for a UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa, Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) applying from Switzerland must be paid a salary that meets both a general threshold of £48,500 and the 'going rate' for the occupation. Salary assessment includes guaranteed basic gross pay and certain allowances. Only the salary for up to 48 hours per week is considered.

Financial Requirement for Residents of Switzerland

You must have at least £1,270 in cash funds held for 28 consecutive days before your application unless your sponsor can cover your maintenance costs. This requirement is waived if you have been in the UK with permission for 12 months or more.

Immigration Skills Charge

Your sponsor must pay this charge for each foreign worker employed.

Duration and Conditions of Stay for Swiss Employees Undertaking an Intra-Company Transfer to the UK

If approved, your UK Senior or Specialist Worker visa will be granted for the period on your CoS plus 14 days, or up to five years, whichever is shorter. You can extend your visa multiple times up to a maximum period depending on your salary:

• 5 years in any 6-year period if earning less than £73,900 annually.

• 9 years in any 10-year period if earning £73,900 or more.

Visa holders from Switzerland can work for their UK sponsor in the job on their CoS, study, and do voluntary work but cannot access public funds.

Settlement and Switching Routes

This visa does not directly lead to settlement. However, Swiss passport holders (and non-Swiss passport holders) can switch to other routes like the Skilled Worker or Innovator Founder routes that may lead to settlement. Eligibility for settlement may also be achieved through 10 years long residence in the UK.

Dependants of UK Visa Applicants from Switzerland

Senior or Specialist Worker visa holders from Switzerland can bring a dependent partner over 18 and dependent children under 18.

Global Business Mobility Sponsor Licence Application for a UK Business Linked to a Swiss Business

UK businesses of all sizes with a trading presence outside the UK and a qualifying link to a business in Switzerland can hold a Global Business Mobility sponsor licence. The UK business must have:

• An existing UK presence.

• Qualifying links to the overseas business.

• Suitable key personnel for managing the licence.

• Systems to meet sponsor duties.

For the Senior or Specialist Worker sponsor, the UK business must be linked by common ownership or control, or by a joint venture agreement.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK visa and immigration services for Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) residing in Switzerland encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, along with a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland.

Our business immigration lawyers assist employers and skilled workers across various industries. We can help with planning to meet start dates and align career progression with immigration goals. Our services include obtaining the right sponsor licence, maintaining it at the highest rating, and ensuring compliance with sponsor duties. We aim to provide clear, reliable immigration advice with a professional and friendly approach.

For more information or to discuss your application, contact our business immigration team at +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.