Intra-Company Transfers
Applying for an Intra-Company Transfer UK work permit allows a non-EU citizen to work in the UK in a specific role for a specific company for an agreed period. For this type of permit for working candidates need to have been employed by the overseas branch of the company for a period of six months or more prior to the application, and it must demonstrated that the candidate has the relevant knowledge and experience to fulfil the role.
As with all British work permits, an application for a UK work permit of this kind must be made by the sponsoring company, not by the candidate themselves. However, it will be necessary for the applicant to apply for UK entry clearance.
How Global Visas Can Help
As a specialist UK immigration consultancy Global Visas can provide immigration lawyer advice and assistance throughout the visa application service and can ensure that the needs of both employer and employee are met. Our immigration consultants can help you to determine which of the range of UK work permits and visas for immigration is the most appropriate way for you to obtain leave to enter the UK.
Benefits
The main benefit of this British immigration service is that unlike a standard UK working permit, an employer does not need to demonstrate that the position has been advertised before applying for an ICT. The ICT route provides a straightforward solution to working in the UK with a specific purpose. Unlike the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme or HSMP, no points based assessment is required; however, it will be required upon application to provide the reason for the transfer and to detail the duration for which the candidate is required.
Duration
An ICT visa application can be valid for a period of between one day and five years, dependant on the length of time requested by the sponsoring company. The duration of the grant awarded to a successful UK Intra-Company Transfer visa application is also at discretion of the Home office. ICT's are not intended as a route to settlement in the United Kingdom and at the expiry of these UK working permits, applicants will be obliged to return to their home country. ICT's do not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK, often referred to as Permanent residence and do not provide the opportunity to become a UK citizen through British naturalization.
Eligibility Criteria
Employer Requirements - Position
To be eligible for the ICT visa service the position which the employer is seeking to fill must meet NVQ level 3 or above. Furthermore, if the candidate is a member of a specific profession they may be required to be registered with the appropriate Governing body. For example, a doctor must be registered with the General Medical Council. In addition, a selected candidate must have a level of knowledge that is essential to the post in the United Kingdom.
Employer Requirements - Education
The candidate must have one of the following.
- A relevant degree.
- A non-relevant degree and one year of experience.
- No degree and three years of relevant experience.
Employee history within the organisation
The employee for whom the ICT is being sought must have been employed by the overseas company for a period of six months or more prior to the application. Documentary evidence of this relationship must be produced before UK visas of this class can be issued.
Spouse Immigration
A spouse/unmarried partner will be permitted to join an ICT holder in Britain on a dependency visa providing that they will cohabit with the holder of the Intra-Company Transfer visa. In the case of an unmarried partner, they must be able to prove that the relationship has been in existence for at least two years prior to making the application for ICT. Once more, spouse immigration under this type of visa for UK immigration is granted as a temporary measure. Unlike a marriage visa or De Facto visa, commonly referred to as an Unmarried partner visa, ICT's do not provide a route for you or your spouse to obtain settled status in Britain.
