Indian IT company with UK project needs software engineers on-site
XYZ Infotech Pvt Ltd is a Bangalore-based IT company wishing to expand in the UK and Europe. By virtue of successful execution of an “offshore” project at its ODC in Bangalore, the same UK client requires “on-site” resources for a large data warehousing / enterprise application coding project in London. So far XYZ has no establishment in the UK. XYZ would like to depute skilled software engineers from its ODC in Bangalore to the UK so that the client project may be commenced at the earliest opportunity.
The Indian company could incorporate a wholly-owned UK subsidiary (or a branch) and the UK entity could then apply for a Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer (ICT) sponsor licence. XYZ should allow for at least 3 to 4 months for gathering the necessary documents and obtaining the sponsor licence before software consultants can be deputed to the UK.
The UK entity will require an “Authorising Officer” (AO) and a “Key Contact” before applying for the sponsor licence. This AO may be a local UK resident or a experienced senior employee from Bangalore may be seconded under a Sole Representative visa to “open” the UK office and perhaps take on a business development or marketing role.
Very thorough attention needs to be paid to the documentation as UKBA’s requirements are exhaustive. Therefore, a great deal of thought, planning and careful structuring is required including taking an office lease, all the necessary tax registrations, insurance, client contracts (MSA and SOWs), business plan and so on.
Once the sponsor licence has been obtained engineers can be deputed to work in the UK under the current Tier 2 ICT visa route. The ICT visa process takes roughly 3 to 4 weeks after the sponsor licence has been obtained. There are minimum salary requirements.
RKG Consulting is an OISC-licensed immigration firm and our track record with sponsor licence applications is impressive. For more details please contact us.