What are the types of Intra-Company Transfer visa?
Under the current scheme, there are two streams, one for long-term employees, and one for graduates. Long-term employees only need to have worked for the company for 12-months; however this requirement does not apply if the individual will receive pay of more than £73,900 per year. Graduate trainees only need to have worked with the company for a minimum of three months.
Can my company transfer a worker to the UK?
Only companies with Sponsor Licenses will be able to utilise the Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa. Sponsor Licenses enable businesses to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to workers outside of the EEA who meet the required criteria.
In addition, an ‘appropriate salary’ must be paid to the transferring member of staff. Under the long-term stream, this is currently £41,500, and for a graduate £23,000.
The applicant must also show they have £945 in personal savings (in the form of a bank or building society statement) – however, this requirement will be waived if you are a fully-approved A-rated sponsor and state on the Certificate of Sponsorship that you can provide this amount to support the employee if needed.
On application, it will also be necessary to provide evidence that the transferee is able to travel (i.e. they have a valid passport) and also their travel history for the past five years. Evidence will also be required that the individual has worked for your company in a country other than the UK. Furthermore, if they are from a listed country, they may require a tuberculosis test.
How is the application for a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa made?
The application for a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa for all countries (except North Korea) is made online; however, it will be necessary for the employee to go to a visa application centre in their local country to have photographs and fingerprints taken. If the application is approved, the person being transferred to the UK will be issued with a biometric residence permit, which will allow them to enter the UK.
Can I extend a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa?
Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visas are not indefinite, but they may be extended. Long-term employees can remain for five years (or nine years if their annual salary is more than £120,000), after which they may apply to extend.
Can a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa lead to settlement in the UK?
The Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa does not provide a path to settlement in the UK. If the employee wishes to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) they will need to switch to another visa such as the Tier 2 General Visa.
At RVS Solicitors, we have first-class knowledge of the intra-company transfer route and understand the required criteria, and the documentation needed to support an application.
Our immigration law Solicitors in London understand the importance of being able to move talented employees between international offices for certain projects. Our team will do everything possible to achieve your objectives quickly and efficiently.
