The United Kingdom is a formidable global leader in Artificial Intelligence innovation, boasting an expanding tech ecosystem and a demand for skilled AI professionals. International AI specialists can leverage this demand for their skills and relocate to the UK to contribute to tech roles, from cutting-edge research projects to high-level industry positions.
While working in the UK presents exciting career prospects, navigating UK work visa options can be confusing, especially with recent changes to the Immigration Rules.
Among the various routes, the Senior or Specialist Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility scheme is a popular skilled immigration pathway for company-sponsored transfers. But is this visa the right choice for AI specialists planning to work in the UK?
In this guide, we discuss everything you need to know about the Senior or Specialist Worker visa, how it compares to other options, and how to choose the most suitable route for your career ambitions.
The UK’s AI Sector in 2025: Why Move?
If you are an AI specialist considering relocating abroad in 2025, consider the United Kingdom. The UK has the largest AI market in Europe and the third largest in the world, after the United States and China. The sector is growing rapidly in 2025, driven by strategic government investments and a focus on becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence.
Recent policy updates have committed billions to AI research, ethics frameworks, and innovation clusters. The government’s ”AI Opportunities Action Plan,” which launched in January 2025, outlines a blueprint to turbocharge AI, with funding allocated to digital and AI infrastructure, research and development, and the creation of “AI Growth Zones” to accelerate data centre buildouts.
Key tech hubs such as London, Cambridge, and Manchester, which was named the UK’s most AI-ready city for the second year running in April 2025, are expanding, attracting global AI companies and fostering new startups.
These hubs, alongside emerging clusters, are driving a high demand for AI roles such as machine learning engineers, data scientists, AI researchers, and AI product specialists across sectors including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing.
The United Kingdom’s proximity to European markets also makes it a compelling destination for AI talent. The country also has world-class universities, and established innovation ecosystems make it an attractive location for those looking to advance their careers in artificial intelligence.
An Overview of the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is part of the UK’s Global Business Mobility route, introduced to streamline the process for overseas businesses transferring key staff to their UK branches.
This visa replaces the previous Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa, offering senior managers or specialist employees the ability to live and work in the UK on a temporary basis. The core purpose is to enable the deployment of key personnel to support the UK entity’s operations, projects, or strategic objectives.
To qualify for this visa, an AI specialist must meet several requirements, including the following:
- They must be an existing employee of an overseas business that has a qualifying link (common ownership or control, or a joint venture) to a UK company.
- Unless they will earn £73,900 or more annually in the UK, they must have worked for the overseas employer for at least 12 months immediately before the transfer. For high earners (£73,900+), this 12-month prior employment requirement is waived.
- They must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a UK-based company.
- The job in the UK must be a genuine senior management or specialist position, requiring at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent).
- They must be paid an annual salary of at least £48,500 or the going rate for their specific occupation code, whichever is higher.
- They must have sufficient personal savings of at least £1,270 to support themselves in their first month in the UK.
The application process involves submitting an online application through the UK Government website, paying the visa application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge, and attending a biometrics appointment.
Decisions on Senior visa applications are typically received within 3 weeks. Dependents (spouse and unmarried children under 21) can apply to join the main applicant, each requiring their own application and meeting specific eligibility criteria.
Successful applicants can stay in the UK for up to five years. If they earn up to £73,900 or more, they can stay up to 9 years. It is crucial to understand that this visa does not lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), meaning it is not a direct path to permanent settlement in the UK.
Although it may be possible to switch to a Skilled Worker visa later to begin a settlement pathway, Senior or Specialist visa holders are expected to leave the UK at the end of their maximum allowable stay period.
Is the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa Right for AI Specialists?: How it Compares to Other UK Visa Options
When deciding on the best visa route for skilled immigration to the UK as an AI specialist, it is important to compare the Senior or Specialist Worker visa with other work visas.
The Skilled Worker visa, for instance, is the general work visa for new hires, typically covers a broader range of eligible occupations, and requires applicants to meet an English language proficiency standard. It offers a direct route to permanent settlement, making it ideal for those planning a long-term move.
There is also the UK Global Talent visa for individuals who can demonstrate exceptional talent or promise in fields like AI, engineering, or tech. A key advantage is that it requires no employer sponsorship, with flexibility to work for any employer, be self-employed, or even set up a business. However, it is highly competitive and based on endorsement by a recognised body.
If you are looking to build an AI startup in the UK, the Innovator Founder visa might be a good option for you. This route requires a viable business plan, significant investment, and approval of your business idea from a UK endorsing body.
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa has the benefit of no English language test requirement. This is a great option for AI specialists from non-English-speaking countries. Its primary limitation is that it does not offer a direct route to settlement; however, it is a good option for temporary intra-company transfers.
If you are AI specialists working for an overseas tech company with a UK branch and do not have immediate long-term residency goals in the UK, choose the Senior or Specialist Worker visa. If you decide to eventually reside in the UK long-term, you can switch to a work visa that offers a pathway to settlement.