Graduate Trainee Visa Solicitors in London
The Graduate Trainee visa lets an overseas employee come to the UK for up to 12 months to complete part of a structured graduate training programme with a linked UK business.
call 0207 100 2525 to speak to a specialist today. Available 24/7
It is one of the five Global Business Mobility visa routes and replaced the Intra-Company Graduate Trainee visa.
Not the same as the Graduate visa: if you have just finished a UK degree and want to stay and work, you need the Graduate visa, which is a different route.
Our immigration solicitors help UK sponsors and their overseas trainees get the training programme, salary and Certificate of Sponsorship right first time.
Call 0207 100 2525 or book a free consultation.
Graduate Trainee Visa Requirements
To qualify, you must already work for the overseas business, have done so for at least 3 months immediately before applying, and be paid at least £27,300 or 70% of the going rate for the role, whichever is higher. According to the GOV.UK eligibility guidance, you also need:
- a valid Certificate of Sponsorshipfrom a UK sponsor licensed for the Graduate Trainee route
- a job on the list of eligible occupations, identified by its 4-digit occupation code
- a role that forms part of a structured graduate training programme leading to a senior management or specialist position
- a link between your overseas employer and the UK sponsor through common ownership or control, or a joint venture
- £1,270 in savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance
You must apply within 3 months of your Certificate of Sponsorship being assigned.
Salary rules for health and education roles
For healthcare and education occupations that use national pay scales, the rate is different. You must be paid at least £27,300 or 100% of the going rate, whichever is higher, rather than 70%.
Graduate Trainee Visa Fees and Processing Times (2026)
| Item | Cost / time |
|---|---|
| Application fee | £340 per person |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | Usually £1,035 per year |
| Personal savings | £1,270 (unless certified by the sponsor) |
| Decision time | Usually 3 weeks (application from outside the UK) |
How Long Can You Stay?
You can stay for 12 months, or for the period on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter. You cannot extend a Graduate Trainee visa. You also cannot switch into it from inside the UK, because the 3-month overseas employment must come immediately before the application. Time on any Global Business Mobility route counts towards the overall limit of 5 years in any 6-year period.
What the Sponsor Must Show
The UK sponsor must hold a licence for the Graduate Trainee route and be able to show that the training programme is genuine. In practice, the Home Office looks at three questions:
- Is the occupation code eligible, and is the salary correct for that code?
- Is the role a genuine part of a structured graduate programme that leads to a senior or specialist position?
- Do the trainee’s qualifications and experience match the role?
If your business is not yet licensed, start with a sponsor licence application.
After the Graduate Trainee Visa
The Graduate Trainee route does not lead to settlement. Many trainees later return as a Senior or Specialist Worker, or move onto the Skilled Worker visa, which can lead to indefinite leave to remain.
How We Help
- Confirming the correct occupation code and salary before the Certificate of Sponsorship is assigned
- Documenting the training programme and the link between the overseas and UK businesses
- Preparing trainee and dependant applications
- Advising on next steps once the 12 months end
Call 0207 100 2525 or book a free consultation.
FAQs
What is the minimum salary for a Graduate Trainee visa?
Can I extend a Graduate Trainee visa?
Do I need a degree for the Graduate Trainee visa?
Can my family join me?
Is the Graduate Trainee visa the same as the Graduate visa?
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