Graduate Trainee Visa UK Applications – Immigration Solicitors Manchester
The Graduate Trainee Visa is part of the Global Business Mobility visa routes which allow multinational companies to transfer employees to the United Kingdom as part of a structured graduate training programme.
This visa enables overseas employees to undertake a temporary placement at their employer’s UK branch or subsidiary as part of a programme leading to a managerial or specialist role.
The Graduate Trainee Visa replaced the former Intra-Company Transfer Graduate Trainee Visa.
At TM Fortis Solicitors, our specialist immigration solicitors advise multinational companies and employees on Global Business Mobility visa applications, including the Graduate Trainee Visa, ensuring full compliance with UK Immigration Rules.
What Is the Graduate Trainee Visa?
The Graduate Trainee Visa allows employees of international organisations to come to the UK to complete part of a structured graduate training programme.
The programme must be designed to lead to a senior management or specialist role within the organisation.
This visa route enables global businesses to train promising employees within their UK operations, allowing them to gain experience within the organisation’s UK branch before progressing into senior positions.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Graduate Trainee Visa, applicants must meet several requirements under the UK Immigration Rules.
Applicants must:
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by their employer
- Have worked for their employer outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before the application
- Be undertaking a structured graduate training programme
- Be transferring to the UK branch of the organisation as part of that programme
- Be working in a job that appears on the Home Office list of eligible occupations
- Be paid at least £27,300 per year or 70% of the going rate for the role, whichever is higher
The UK employer must also hold a valid Home Office sponsor licence.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applicants must receive a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their sponsoring employer.
This certificate is an electronic record, not a physical document.
The Certificate of Sponsorship confirms:
- The job role being offered
- Salary and working conditions
- Details of the graduate training programme
- Sponsor licence information
Applicants must include the CoS reference number when submitting their visa application.
Applications must be submitted within 3 months of receiving the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Previous Employment Requirement
Applicants must have worked for their employer outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before the application.
This requirement means that applicants cannot switch to the Graduate Trainee Visa from within the UK.
The visa must normally be applied for from outside the United Kingdom.
Eligible Occupations
The job being offered must appear on the Home Office list of eligible occupations for the Global Business Mobility route.
Each occupation is assigned a four-digit occupation code, which will be listed on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
The salary must meet the minimum threshold or the applicable going rate for the occupation.
Salary Requirements
Applicants must be paid at least:
- £27,300 per year or 70% of the going rate for the job, whichever is higher
The Home Office publishes going rates for each occupation code, which employers must follow.
For certain healthcare or education occupations, different salary rules may apply. In these cases, the salary must be at least £27,300 or the full going rate for the job, whichever is higher.
How Long You Can Stay in the UK
The Graduate Trainee Visa allows applicants to stay in the UK for whichever is shorter of:
- The time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, or
- 12 months
This visa is designed for short-term placements within multinational organisations.
Bringing Family Members to the UK
Applicants may bring dependant family members to the UK.
Eligible dependants may include:
- A partner or spouse
- Children under the age of 18
Dependants must meet the relevant immigration requirements and may need to demonstrate sufficient financial support.
What You Can Do With a Graduate Trainee Visa
If granted a Graduate Trainee Visa, you can:
- Work for your sponsoring employer in the job described on your Certificate of Sponsorship
- Study while in the UK
- Travel abroad and return to the UK
- Bring eligible dependant family members
This visa allows trainees to gain valuable experience within the UK operations of multinational companies.
Restrictions Under the Graduate Trainee Visa
Visa holders must comply with several restrictions.
You cannot:
- Work for another employer
- Take additional employment outside the sponsored role
- Access public funds or state benefits
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) under this visa route
The visa is intended as a temporary business mobility route.
Visa Application Process
Applications for the Graduate Trainee Visa must be made online.
Applicants can normally apply up to three months before their intended start date, which will be listed on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Applicants will need to:
- Prove their identity
- Provide supporting documents
- Submit biometric information
Processing Times
Once the application is submitted and biometric information is provided, applicants usually receive a decision within:
- 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK
Priority services may be available in some countries for faster decisions.
How Our Immigration Solicitors Can Help
Our immigration solicitors provide expert advice on Global Business Mobility visa routes, including the Graduate Trainee Visa.
We assist with:
- Sponsor licence applications for employers
- Certificate of Sponsorship advice
- Graduate Trainee visa applications
- Corporate immigration compliance
- Advising multinational companies transferring employees to the UK
Our aim is to ensure that visa applications comply fully with the UK Immigration Rules.
Contact Our Immigration Solicitors
If you are an employer transferring staff to the UK or an employee applying under the Graduate Trainee Visa (Global Business Mobility) route, our experienced immigration solicitors can assist you.
Contact TM Fortis Solicitors today on 0161 220 6040 to discuss your circumstances and obtain expert legal advice.
