Graduate Trainee Visa UK Guide

The Graduate Trainee visa is one of the sub-routes within the UK’s Global Business Mobility visa category. It is designed for overseas workers on structured graduate training programmes who are being temporarily assigned to a UK branch or linked entity of their overseas employer. The route allows for short-term work placements as part of the trainee’s progression towards a specialist or managerial role within the international business.

What this article is about: This guide explains the Graduate Trainee visa in detail for both applicants and employers. It sets out the eligibility requirements, the application process, visa conditions, and costs. For employers, it also covers sponsor licensing obligations, right to work compliance, and HR considerations. Both perspectives are included to give a complete understanding of how the route works and how to remain compliant with UK immigration law.

Section A: Graduate Trainee Visa Overview

The Graduate Trainee visa exists to facilitate the mobility of global talent within multinational companies. It enables employees undertaking structured graduate training programmes to gain UK-based work experience without the need for a long-term work visa such as the Skilled Worker route.

1. What is the Graduate Trainee visa?

The Graduate Trainee visa is a temporary work visa under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) category. It applies to overseas employees who are part of a graduate training programme that leads to a specialist or managerial position and who are being transferred to the UK for a work placement as part of that programme.

It is a sponsored route, meaning the UK business receiving the trainee must hold a valid sponsor licence with permission to sponsor workers under the Graduate Trainee sub-route. The visa is not intended for permanent migration and does not lead directly to settlement in the UK, although switching to another visa that leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) may be possible.

2. Who can apply?

Applicants must be existing employees of an overseas business linked by common ownership or control to the UK entity acting as sponsor. The applicant must have worked for the overseas employer for at least 3 continuous months immediately before applying. The UK placement must be an integral part of the applicant’s formally structured and documented graduate training programme.

3. Differences between Graduate Trainee and Skilled Worker visa

While both visas require employer sponsorship, the Graduate Trainee route is more restrictive in duration and scope. It does not require English language ability or offer a settlement pathway, but it does require that the applicant is on a specific training programme and already employed overseas by the sponsor’s linked business. The Skilled Worker visa, by contrast, is for long-term employment in the UK and can lead to settlement after 5 years.

4. Key features for applicants and employers

• Duration: Usually granted for 12 months or the length of the placement stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship (whichever is shorter).
• Sponsorship: Employer must be a licensed sponsor with approval for the Graduate Trainee sub-route.
• Job role: Must be on the list of eligible occupations for the Graduate Trainee route (Appendix Skilled Occupations) with a minimum salary requirement of at least £25,410 per year or £10.10 per hour, and at or above the going rate for the relevant occupation code.
• Extensions: Not possible beyond the initial grant; applicants must apply from outside the UK for each new placement.
• ILR: No direct pathway to settlement, but switching to a settlement-eligible route may be possible (from outside the UK).

Summary of Section A: The Graduate Trainee visa is a targeted route enabling multinational companies to rotate their graduate-level talent into UK operations. It has criteria tied to structured training programmes, existing overseas employment, eligible occupation codes and sponsor licensing. While limited in duration and not a settlement route, it offers valuable opportunities for skills development and international exposure for both trainees and employers.

Section B: Eligibility Requirements

The Graduate Trainee visa has defined eligibility criteria that apply to both the applicant and the UK sponsor employer. Meeting these requirements is critical, as UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will refuse applications that fail to satisfy them.

1. Applicant requirements

An applicant must demonstrate that:

• They are currently employed by an overseas business linked to the UK sponsor through common ownership or control, or by a joint venture in which both entities are active participants.
• They have worked for that overseas business for at least 3 continuous months before the date of application. This 3-month qualifying period must be evidenced in full and be immediately before the date the visa application is made.
• The proposed UK role is part of a formally structured and documented graduate training programme that leads to a specialist or managerial position.
• They will be working in a role that is on the list of eligible occupations for the Graduate Trainee route in Appendix Skilled Occupations, meeting the minimum salary threshold for the route.
• They meet the minimum salary threshold for the route.

There is no English language requirement for the Graduate Trainee visa, and no requirement to prove maintenance funds if the UK sponsor confirms maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

2. Employer and sponsor requirements

To sponsor a Graduate Trainee, the UK business must:

• Hold a valid sponsor licence with specific permission to sponsor under the GBM Graduate Trainee sub-route.
• Assign a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the applicant, confirming details of the UK placement, salary, and role.
• Be linked to the overseas business by common ownership or control, or through a qualifying joint venture arrangement.
• Comply with all sponsor duties under the UK immigration system, including record-keeping, reporting, and monitoring requirements.

3. Salary threshold rules

The applicant must be paid at least:

• £25,410 per year, or
• £10.10 per hour,

whichever is higher.

Salary must be calculated on a gross annual basis and must not include allowances unless permitted under UKVI rules. The role must also meet or exceed the ‘going rate’ for the relevant eligible occupation code (as per Appendix Skilled Occupations). If the role is part-time, the going rate is applied on a pro-rata basis, though Graduate Trainee roles are generally full-time.

4. Evidence and documentation

Applicants will generally need to provide:

• A valid passport or travel document.
• Proof of employment with the linked overseas business for at least 3 months immediately before the application date.
• Details of the structured graduate training programme.
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
• Proof of meeting the salary requirement.
• TB test results, if applicable (based on country of residence).

If maintenance is not certified by the employer, bank statements showing personal savings of at least £1,270 held in cash (not investments) for 28 consecutive days before application will be required.

Summary of Section B: To qualify for a Graduate Trainee visa, the applicant must already be an established employee of a linked overseas business on a qualifying graduate programme, while the UK sponsor must be licensed for the route and able to meet salary and role requirements. Accurate documentary evidence, covering the entire 3-month employment requirement and programme details, is essential for a successful application.

Section C: Application Process

Applying for a Graduate Trainee visa involves coordinated action between the employer (as sponsor) and the applicant. The process is designed to ensure that only eligible candidates on qualifying graduate programmes with linked employers can access the route.

1. Sponsorship process for employers

Before an application can be submitted, the UK sponsor must:

• Hold a valid sponsor licence with permission to sponsor under the GBM Graduate Trainee route.
• Confirm that the UK role is part of a structured graduate training programme and that the applicant meets the minimum 3-month overseas employment requirement.
• Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the applicant via the Sponsor Management System (SMS), including details of the role, salary, and intended start and end dates.
• Certify maintenance if the business is prepared to cover the applicant’s initial UK living costs.

Employers must keep all supporting evidence on file for UKVI compliance purposes, including proof of the linked business relationship and the applicant’s overseas employment history.

2. Application steps for the applicant

Once the CoS has been issued, the applicant must:

• Complete the online Graduate Trainee visa application form on GOV.UK.
• Pay the relevant application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
• Upload supporting documents, or take them to a UKVCAS appointment if biometric enrolment is required.
• Provide fingerprints and a photograph to obtain a biometric residence permit, unless using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.

Applications must be submitted from outside the UK, as in-country switching to this route is not permitted.

3. Documents needed for the application

Typical documents include:

• Current passport or travel document.
• Certificate of Sponsorship reference number.
• Evidence of overseas employment with the linked business for at least 3 months immediately before the application date.
• Details of the graduate training programme.
• Proof of meeting salary requirements.
• Proof of maintenance funds if not certified by the sponsor.
• TB test certificate if required.

4. Timescales for decision-making

UKVI’s standard processing time for Graduate Trainee applications made outside the UK is usually 3 weeks from the date of biometrics or online ID check. Priority and super priority services may be available in some locations for an additional fee.

Summary of Section C: The Graduate Trainee visa application process hinges on accurate sponsorship and the provision of complete supporting evidence. Employers must ensure compliance in the sponsorship stage, while applicants must submit a timely and fully evidenced application from overseas. The process is relatively fast compared to some other visa categories, but preparation of the correct documentation is critical to avoiding delays or refusals.

Section D: Conditions, Extensions, and Compliance

The Graduate Trainee visa is subject to strict conditions that limit the holder’s length of stay and scope of work in the UK. Employers also have specific compliance obligations under the sponsor licensing regime.

1. Visa conditions and work rights

A Graduate Trainee visa holder can:

• Work for the sponsoring employer in the role described on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
• Undertake voluntary work.
• Study, provided it does not interfere with the sponsored role.

They cannot:

• Take on additional employment outside their sponsored role.
• Access public funds.
• Work as a professional sportsperson.

The visa is usually granted for 12 months or for the time stated on the CoS (whichever is shorter).

2. Extensions and reapplications

Graduate Trainee visas cannot be extended from within the UK. Once the visa expires, the individual must leave the UK. If they are to undertake another UK placement as part of their training programme, they must apply for a fresh Graduate Trainee visa from outside the UK.

3. Switching to other visa routes and ILR implications

Switching from the Graduate Trainee visa to another UK work visa (such as Skilled Worker) is possible but must be done from outside the UK. Time spent on this route does not count towards the qualifying residence period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), but switching into a settlement route and starting the ILR qualifying period is an option for those wishing to remain in the UK longer term.

4. Dependants — eligibility and conditions

Graduate Trainee visa holders can bring dependants (partner and children under 18) if they meet the eligibility and maintenance requirements. Each dependant must make a separate application and pay the relevant fees and Immigration Health Surcharge. Dependants are generally permitted to work (excluding work as a professional sportsperson) and study.

5. HR and right to work compliance for employers

Employers must:

• Conduct and record compliant right to work checks before employment commences.
• Monitor and record attendance and absences.
• Keep up-to-date contact details for the sponsored worker.
• Report changes in circumstances to UKVI via the Sponsor Management System (e.g., role changes, early termination, or unauthorised absence).

Failure to comply can result in sponsor licence downgrading, suspension, or revocation, and may affect the employer’s ability to sponsor in the future.

6. Costs and fees

As at 2025, the main costs include:

• Application fee: £298.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year.
• Certificate of Sponsorship fee (paid by employer): £239.
• Optional priority service: £500 extra for a 5-working-day decision (where available).
• Optional super priority service: £1,000 extra for next-working-day decision (where available).

Employers may also be liable for the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) unless an exemption applies. The Graduate Trainee route benefits from an ISC exemption, meaning employers generally do not have to pay this charge.

Summary of Section D: The Graduate Trainee visa imposes specific work restrictions and is a temporary, non-settlement route. While it allows valuable skills development for the trainee and supports international talent mobility for employers, both parties must comply fully with UK immigration rules. For employers, this means adhering to all sponsor licence duties and right to work requirements; for applicants, it means respecting the visa conditions and planning ahead for reapplications or switches into other routes if they wish to remain in the UK.

FAQs

Can I apply for ILR after a Graduate Trainee visa?

No. Time spent on the Graduate Trainee route does not count towards Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). However, you may be able to switch to a settlement-eligible visa, such as Skilled Worker, from outside the UK and then begin accruing qualifying residence.

Can employers sponsor multiple Graduate Trainee visas at once?

Yes, provided each applicant meets the eligibility criteria and the employer’s sponsor licence covers the Graduate Trainee sub-route. Employers must ensure they have the compliance capacity to manage multiple sponsored workers.

How long can you stay in the UK on a Graduate Trainee visa?

The visa is normally granted for 12 months or for the length of the placement specified on the Certificate of Sponsorship, whichever is shorter.

Can a Graduate Trainee visa be extended?

No. Once the visa expires, you must leave the UK. To return for another placement, you must apply for a new Graduate Trainee visa from overseas.

Can you switch from a Graduate Trainee visa to a Skilled Worker visa?

Yes, but only from outside the UK. You cannot switch routes from within the UK on a Graduate Trainee visa.

Conclusion

The Graduate Trainee visa enables multinational employers to bring overseas employees on structured graduate training programmes to the UK for short-term placements. It provides valuable opportunities for skills development and cultural exchange but comes with strict eligibility criteria and compliance obligations.

For employers, the route supports talent mobility without triggering the Immigration Skills Charge, but it still requires full adherence to sponsor duties and right to work checks. For applicants, it offers UK work experience and career progression, although it is not a settlement route and cannot be extended from within the UK.

Careful preparation of documentation, accurate sponsorship, and compliance with all immigration rules are key to a successful placement.

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Gill Laing

Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law. Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing & Content Agency for the Professional Services Sector.

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