Get the right visa for your dream job in the UK

Before you apply, check if the company is licensed to sponsor you

The UK branch must be in possession of a specific licence which allows them to employ workers from outside the EU. This is known as a Sponsorship Licence.

If the UK branch is not yet in possession of a Sponsorship Licence it is possible to apply for one and our work permits team are able to assist with the process.

Once the company has the Sponsorship Licence, they can then request a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) which can be assigned to you.

Are you eligible?

When your employer considers you for the position, they must first assess if you are eligible to receive this visa. To be eligible, you’ll need to show that:

• You are currently employed by the branch in South Africa
• The role being offered in the UK is a genuine vacancy which cannot be filled by a resident already settled in the UK with permission to work
• The role being offered must be paid at the appropriate salary level
• Have sufficient savings to support yourself when you arrive
• Have a valid passport
• Show that you have no restriction on your travel
• Prove your travel history over the last 5 years
• Prove that you are free from tuberculosis by means of a UKBA approved test 

There are two types of intra-company transfer visas

There two visa categories: Long-term staff and graduate trainees.

How long can I stay?

The duration you can stay in the UK will depending on the type of intra-company visa you qualify for and the salary being offered. We have provided an overview of these below:

• Up to 9 years under the Long-Term Staff category for those with an annual salary of £120,000 or higher per year
• If you earn less than £120,000 per year, you will be allowed to stay for up to 5 years and 1 month under the Long-Term Staff category
• If you’re in the UK as a graduate trainee you can stay for a maximum of 12 months

It is important to note that residence in the UK on a Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) visa would not lead to permanent residence in the UK. You are therefore expected to return to South Africa at the end of this period.

When can I apply?

You can come to UK up to 14 days before your job starts and so it all depends on your employment start date. This will be shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship. You may only apply three months before your commencement date and you can expect a decision within three weeks from the date of your application.

We have found that these applications can be quite tricky without expert knowledge in the matter, so it’s always best to seek professional help.

The do’s and don’ts of an intra-company work visa

While you are working in the UK as a long-term, short-term or graduate trainee employee, you can:

• Do a second job in the same field and at the same level as your main job for up to 20 hours per week, while still maintaining employment at the company stated on your certificate of sponsorship
• Do voluntary work
• Study, but it can’t interfere with your job
• Leave and re-enter the UK
• Bring family members with you

However, you can’t:

• Get access to public funds
• Start working before your visa is granted

Should this be of interest to you, please give us a call on +27 (0) 21 657 2180 or +44 (0) 20 7759 7580. You can also email us on immigration@sableinternational.com.