Global Business Mobility routes explained

The UK Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes are temporary work visas for overseas workers being moved into the UK as part of an existing employment relationship with an overseas business — not for direct UK hires. There are five sub-routes: Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker. None lead to settlement.

Hiring international graduates in the UK

International graduates of UK universities can work in the UK on the Graduate visa (formerly Post-Study Work) for 2 years (3 years for PhDs) without sponsorship — meaning no sponsor licence needed and no salary threshold. After the Graduate visa expires, they typically switch to Skilled Worker or another sponsored route. This is the easiest entry-level international hiring path for UK businesses.