INTRA-COMPANY ROUTES (Intra Company Workers “ICW” Visas)
There are two Intra-Company routes: The Intra-Company Transfer route and the Intra- Company Graduate Trainee route.
The Intra-Company Transfer route is for established workers who are being transferred by the business they work for to do a skilled role in the UK. This category is for existing employees of a multinational organisation who are to be transferred by that organisation to a UK entity which is linked to the organisation by common ownership or control.
The Intra-Company Graduate Trainee route is for workers who are being transferred by the business they work for to undertake a role in the UK as part of a structured graduate training programme.
These routes replaced the Tier 2 (Intra-Company Transfer) Long-term Staff and Graduate Trainee routes from 1 December 2020 and apply to both:
European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who arrive in the UK after 11 pm on 31 December 2020 (see below); and
non-EEA nationals who apply for entry clearance or permission to stay on or after 1 December 2020.
A dependent partner and dependent children can apply to come to the UK on these routes.
In order to employ workers under this category, it is important the employer has an ICT Sponsor Licence and that the workers must be transferring to a UK entity which is linked to the overseas entity by common ownership or control and be sponsored by the UK entity as an (ICT) worker.
This category of visa is similar to the Skilled Worker Category as it would require an applicant to submit valid Certificate of Sponsorship and that he/she is being paid at the appropriate salary. Unlike the Skilled Worker category, there is no English Language requirements under this category.
The Intra-Company routes do not lead to settlement. (Please see our Individual Immigration page for further information on Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Key points for ICT (Long-Term Staff):
You must be at least 16 years of age on the date on which the application is decided.
You must have a job offer and an assigned “undefined” Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a company that is a licensed sponsor in the UK.
The maximum period of stay under the ICT category is 5 years. Your visa can be extended up to 9 years if you are earning £73,900 or more.
There is no English Language requirement, however the Maintenance requirement must be met.
The CoS certificate must confirm that the job is at the appropriate level.
You must have worked for the organisation outside of the UK for at least 12 months unless your gross annual salary in the UK will be £73,900 or higher.
Your prospective gross annual salary in the UK must be at least £41,500.
If the applicant is applying for entry clearance from outside the UK or has been in the UK for less than one year at the date of application, they must show they have enough funds to support themselves and any family members in the UK unless their maintenance is certified by an A rated Sponsor.
Length of stay in the UK.
If the application is as an Intra-Company Transfer, permission will be granted for a period which is the shortest of the following:
5 years after the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship; or
14 days after the end date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship: or
if the applicant is a high earner, the date at which the applicant will have had cumulative permission in the Intra-Company routes totalling 9 years in any 10-year period; or
if the applicant is not a high earner, the date at which the applicant will have had cumulative permission in the Intra-Company routes totalling 5 years in any 6-year period.
If the application is as an Intra-Company Graduate Trainee, the applicant will be granted permission until whichever is the shorter of:
14 days after the end date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship: or
1 year after the start date of the job stated on their Certificate of Sponsorship.
Conditions of stay in the UK.
With an Intra-company visa you can:
work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship.
study
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
do a second job for up to 20 hours a week that is either in the same profession and at the same level as your main job or on the Skilled Worker shortage occupation list.
do voluntary work.
travel abroad and return to the UK.
You cannot:
apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.
change jobs unless you update your visa.
apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’)
If your application is successful, you will get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an Intra-company visa.
We will provide you with tailored advice to your specific case scenario to ensure that the Immigration Requirements are met. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require any assistance with your application.
