The five GBM sub-routes
**Senior or Specialist Worker** — for senior managers or specialist employees transferring from an overseas company to a linked UK entity. Salary £48,500+ for new applicants. Maximum 5 years (9 years for high earners). No settlement route.
**Graduate Trainee** — graduate-level employees on a structured training programme. Salary £24,220+. Maximum 12 months. No settlement.
**UK Expansion Worker** — senior personnel sent to set up a new UK branch of an overseas company. Salary £48,500+. Up to 2 years. No settlement.
**Service Supplier** — contractual service suppliers providing services to UK clients under a relevant trade agreement. Up to 12 months.
**Secondment Worker** — workers seconded to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment agreement. Up to 2 years.
When to use GBM vs Skilled Worker
GBM advantages: no lottery, dedicated employer support (your overseas HR handles most of the paperwork), no Immigration Skills Charge for some sub-routes, priority processing in some cases. Key disadvantage: no direct settlement path — you must switch to Skilled Worker if you want ILR.
Most big tech and finance intra-group transfers use GBM initially, then switch to Skilled Worker after 2-3 years. This builds UK work history on GBM while preserving the 5-year Skilled Worker clock toward ILR.