What is a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer Visa?
The Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa is a type of UK visa that allows multinational companies to transfer employees from their overseas offices to their UK offices for a temporary period. The visa is designed to facilitate the transfer of highly skilled workers and managers to the UK to help companies meet their business needs.
To be eligible for a Tier 2 intra-company transfer visa, the employee must have been working for the overseas company for at least 12 months and must be offered a job in the UK that cannot be filled by a resident worker. The UK employer must also hold a valid Tier 2 sponsor license and the employee must meet the minimum salary and English language requirements set by the UK government.
The Tier 2 ICT visa is valid for up to five years, depending on the length of the transfer and the job role, and can be extended if necessary. It also provides a route to settlement in the UK for eligible workers, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.
To apply for this visa type, you must be employed by a licensed sponsor, be from a country outside of the European Economic Area and Switzerland and meet the other eligibility requirements outlined by the Home Office.
Your employer must also have to prove that the salary that they will be paying you is appropriate for your role, and that they cannot fill the role with a UK resident. This might be because you are a specialist in your field, or because the skills you possess are not available to learn in the UK.
Types of intra-company transfer visas
There are two main types of Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visas:
Tier 2 (ICT) Short-Term Staff:
This type of visa is for employees who are being transferred to the UK for a period of up to 12 months. This visa category is not eligible for settlement in the UK.
Tier 2 (ICT) Long-Term Staff:
This type of visa is for employees who are being transferred to the UK for a period of more than 12 months. Eligible employees may be able to apply for settlement in the UK after five years, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.
In addition to these two main types of Tier 2 ICT visas, there are also two subcategories:
Tier 2 (ICT) Graduate Trainee:
This subcategory is for recent graduate employees who are being transferred to the UK for the purpose of training and professional development. The maximum length of stay in the UK under this subcategory is 12 months.
Tier 2 (ICT) Skills Transfer:
This subcategory is for employees who are being transferred to the UK for the purpose of imparting their skills to colleagues in the UK company. The maximum length of stay in the UK under this subcategory is 6 months.
Requirements
To be eligible for a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa, the following requirements must be met:
- The employee must have a job offer from a UK-based company that holds a valid Tier 2 sponsor license.
- The job offered in the UK must meet the minimum salary requirements set by the UK government, which are currently £41,500 per year, or the going rate for the specific job, whichever is higher.
- The employee must have worked for the overseas company for at least 12 months, unless they are applying under the Tier 2 (ICT) Graduate Trainee subcategory.
- The employee must score enough points on the UK Points-Based System (PBS) assessment, which is based on factors such as their salary, qualifications, and English language skills.
- The employee must have sufficient funds to support themselves without requiring public funds.
- The employee must pass a tuberculosis (TB) test if they are coming from a country where TB is common.
- The employee must not have a criminal record or pose a threat to national security.
It is important to note that the requirements for Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visas are subject to change, so it is advisable to check the latest guidelines and requirements before applying.
As is the case with all other UK work visas, there are general and financial requirements that you must meet in order for your application to be considered by the Home Office.
When you apply for the visa you will have to provide certain documents, including:
When applying for a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa, you will typically be required to provide the following documents:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- A certificate of sponsorship from your UK-based sponsor, which confirms your job offer and the terms of your employment.
- Proof of your qualifications and work experience. This may include copies of your degree certificate, professional qualifications, and employment contracts or reference letters from your previous employers.
- Evidence of your knowledge of English, if required. This can be demonstrated by passing an approved English language test or holding a degree that was taught in English.
- Proof of your maintenance funds, which shows that you have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds.
- A tuberculosis test certificate, if required.
- A completed Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa application form.
It is important to note that the exact documents required for a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa application may vary depending on your individual circumstances and the specific requirements of the UK government. It is advisable to check the latest guidelines and requirements before submitting your application.
How long you can stay in the UK
The length of time you can stay in the UK with a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa depends on the type of visa you have and the terms of your transfer.
For a Tier 2 (ICT) Short-Term Staff visa, you can stay in the UK for up to 12 months. For a Tier 2 (ICT) Long-Term Staff visa, you can stay in the UK for up to five years, subject to the terms of your transfer and job role.
What you can do in the UK
While you are in the UK with a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa, you are generally allowed to:
- Work for the UK-based company that sponsored your visa.
- Study, as long as it does not interfere with your work for the sponsor company.
- Bring your family members to the UK, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and paying the required fees.
- Travel outside the UK, although you must be able to demonstrate that you are still intending to work for your sponsor company in the UK.
It is important to note that the conditions of your Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa may change over time and it is advisable to check the latest guidelines and requirements before making any major plans or decisions. Additionally, holding a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa does not guarantee settlement in the UK and you must meet the relevant requirements if you wish to apply for indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship.
If granted the Tier 2 visa, you will be able to work for your sponsor, do voluntary work, bring family members with you on UK dependent visas, travel abroad and return to the UK, study and have a second job in the same profession for 20 hours or less per week. However, you will not be able to get public funds or start working before your visa is granted.
FAQs
Here are some common FAQs about the Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa:
Can I switch from a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa to another type of visa in the UK?
Yes, it may be possible to switch from a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa to another type of visa, such as a Tier 1 visa, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and eligibility criteria for the new visa category.
Can I bring my family members to the UK with me on a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa?
Yes, you can bring your spouse or partner and dependent children to the UK with you, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and paying the required fees.
Can I apply for settlement in the UK on a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa?
Yes, you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK after five years, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and eligibility criteria.
How much money do I need to show to apply for a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa?
The exact amount of maintenance funds required for a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa will depend on your individual circumstances and the specific requirements of the UK government. However, as a general guide, you will need to show that you have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds.
Can I work for another company while I am in the UK on a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa?
No, you are only allowed to work for the UK-based company that sponsored your Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa. Working for another company without the proper authorization is a violation of the terms of your visa and could result in your visa being cancelled.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to work for a UK-based company as a transfer from an overseas branch of the same company. The visa is available for both short-term and long-term transfers and comes with various requirements, such as a certificate of sponsorship, proof of qualifications and work experience, and maintenance funds.
Holding a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa allows you to work and study in the UK, as well as bring your family members with you. However, it is important to note that the conditions of the visa may change over time and it does not guarantee settlement in the UK.
If you are considering applying for a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa, it is important to check the latest guidelines and requirements, as well as seek advice from a qualified immigration advisor if necessary.
