Intra Company Transfers

This is a special category of work permits to allow international businesses to transfer staff to the UK from an overseas branch, if and where this is necessary because of special skills or experience that they hold from within the business. There needs to be a proven financial link between the two businesses. Normally, there will be common ownership, or one will be a subsidiary of another. In order to make sure that only genuine cases (based on genuine need) are eligible, the candidate must have worked in the overseas branch for at least the last 6 months. In addition to the requirements relating to the relationship between the UK and overseas companies, the candidate and the position in question must still meet the skills threshold as detailed in the general Business and Commercial (tier 2) section.

By definition, these applications will always be “Out-Of-Country” work permit applications (the candidate is and has been working for an overseas branch for the last 6 months).

An application of this type can normally be prepared within a few days (providing all relevant information and documentation can be supplied) and approved by The Border and Immigration Agency within 5-10 working days.