UK Graduate Trainee Visa (GBM)

Your Guide to the UK Graduate Trainee Visa Under Global Business Mobility

The UK Graduate Trainee visa is a Global Business Mobility route for an overseas employee on a structured graduate training programme who is transferred to the UK branch of the same business for a managerial or specialist placement of up to 12 months, and it does not lead to settlement. The Graduate Trainee visa, part of the UK's Global Business Mobility scheme, is designed for employees participating in a structured graduate training programme leading to managerial or specialist roles. This visa facilitates temporary assignments in the UK branch of an international company, providing valuable experience and development opportunities.

Key takeaways

• It is for an overseas employee on a structured graduate training programme who transfers to the UK branch of the same business for a managerial or specialist placement.
• You must have worked for the employer outside the UK for at least 3 consecutive months, hold a Certificate of Sponsorship, and be in a role at graduate level (RQF 6).
• The salary must be at least £27,300 per year or 70% of the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.
• You can stay for up to 12 months and the visa cannot be extended, though you may apply for a new one from outside the UK for further training.
• It does not lead to settlement, and time on this route counts towards a cap of 5 years in any 6-year period across all Global Business Mobility routes.
• You must show at least £1,270 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days, unless your employer certifies maintenance; the Immigration Skills Charge does not apply, and current fees are on GOV.UK.

Eligibility Criteria of the UK Graduate Trainee Visa

To qualify for the UK Graduate Trainee visa, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be employed by a Home Office approved organisation that holds a sponsor licence.
• Have worked for the employer outside the UK for at least 3 consecutive months immediately before applying.
• Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship detailing the UK role.
• Hold a position on the list of eligible occupations.
• Receive a salary of at least £27,300 per year or 70% of the going rate for the job, whichever is higher.

The role must be at graduate level (RQF 6). Time on the Graduate Trainee route counts towards a cap of 5 years in any 6-year period across all Global Business Mobility and former intra-company routes.

Application Process of the UK Graduate Trainee Visa

The application process involves several stages:

• Preparation: Confirm the employer's sponsorship status and gather the Certificate of Sponsorship, proof of employment history and financial evidence.
• Online application: Apply from outside the UK. Pay the current application fee and the immigration health surcharge, with the current rates published on GOV.UK. You must also show personal savings of at least £1,270, held for the required period, unless the employer certifies maintenance.
• Biometric information: Provide your fingerprints and photograph at a visa application centre or through the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
• Decision timeline: You will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

The £340 application fee and the £1,035 per year healthcare surcharge are correct as at 22 September 2026, but Home Office fees are set by the government and can change, so check the current figures on GOV.UK before you apply. The sponsor assigns your Certificate of Sponsorship and pays the Certificate of Sponsorship fee, with the current amount published on GOV.UK. The Immigration Skills Charge does not apply to the Graduate Trainee route.

Duration of Stay

You can stay for the shorter of the time given on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, or a maximum of 12 months. The visa cannot be extended, but you may apply for a new Graduate Trainee visa from outside the UK for further training. Time on this route counts towards a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year rolling period across all Global Business Mobility routes, so repeat applications are assessed against that overall cap.

Permitted Activities

On the UK Graduate Trainee visa you can:

• Work for your sponsor in the role described on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Study.
• Bring eligible dependants.
• Do voluntary work.
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.

Restrictions

You cannot:

• Access public funds or the State Pension.
• Change employer, and a genuine change of role can require a new Certificate of Sponsorship, so movement within the route is limited.
• Take secondary employment.
• Apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Financial Requirements of the UK Graduate Trainee Visa

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to support yourself on arrival. This money must be held for 28 consecutive days, ending within 31 days of the application date, unless your employer certifies maintenance on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Bringing Dependants

Your partner and children can apply to join or remain with you as dependants if they meet the eligibility criteria, and each must demonstrate sufficient funds unless your employer agrees to cover the costs. Each dependant makes a separate application and pays the same application fee and healthcare surcharge, and a dependant's permission ends on the same date as the main applicant's.

Next Steps After the Graduate Trainee Visa Expires

The visa is temporary and does not lead to settlement, so you must leave the UK when it expires. If further training is required, you can apply for a new Graduate Trainee visa from outside the UK, provided you meet the eligibility criteria. Any new application is assessed against the overall cap of 5 years in any 6-year period across Global Business Mobility routes.

How Immtell Can Help

Immtell offers guidance to support the Graduate Trainee visa application. We support eligibility assessment, document preparation, application submission and post-arrival compliance, organising structured and defensible preparation rather than promising an outcome. Our support covers an eligibility assessment, document preparation, application submission, and post-arrival support on compliance and next steps.

We check this guide against the official GOV.UK Graduate Trainee visa guidance. Last reviewed 22 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UK Graduate Trainee visa?

It is a Global Business Mobility route for an overseas employee on a structured graduate training programme who is transferred to the UK branch of the same business for a managerial or specialist placement of up to 12 months. It does not lead to settlement.

What is the salary requirement for the Graduate Trainee visa?

You must be paid at least £27,300 per year or 70% of the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. Some health and education roles must be paid the full going rate instead.

How long can you stay on a Graduate Trainee visa?

For the shorter of the time given on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, or 12 months. The visa cannot be extended, and time on the route counts towards a cap of 5 years in any 6-year period across Global Business Mobility routes.

Can the Graduate Trainee visa lead to settlement?

No. The route does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain. To move towards settlement, a person would need to switch to a different route, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if they qualify.

Do you need a Certificate of Sponsorship for the Graduate Trainee visa?

Yes. You need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office approved sponsor, and you must have worked for that employer outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before you apply.