What the UK Expansion Worker visa is
The UK Expansion Worker visa, part of the Global Business Mobility routes, lets an overseas business send a senior manager or specialist employee to the UK to set up a branch or subsidiary that has not yet started trading here. It replaced the old Sole Representative route for businesses expanding into the UK. If the business is already trading in the UK, the employee needs a Senior or Specialist Worker visa instead.
Who can apply
- You work for the overseas business as a senior manager or specialist employee, in a job on the list of eligible occupations.
- You have a certificate of sponsorship from your employer. You must apply within three months of receiving it.
- You have worked for the business outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you are paid more than £73,900 a year.
- You will be paid at least £52,500 a year, or the going rate for the job if that is higher.
- You can show you have enough personal savings.
How the sponsor is licensed
The business needs a sponsor licence for UK Expansion Workers, which is a Temporary Worker licence. Where the authorising officer is based outside the UK, the licence is first given a provisional rating, and the business can assign only one certificate of sponsorship, to that officer, so that they can enter the UK. Once the visa is granted, the licence can be upgraded and up to nine more certificates requested. This licence is valid for four years and cannot be renewed. See sponsor licences.
Length of stay
| Item | Rule |
|---|---|
| First visa | 12 months from the job start date, or the certificate period plus 14 days, whichever is shorter |
| Extension | One further 12 months |
| Maximum | Two years on this route |
| Cap across Global Business Mobility routes | Five years in any six-year period |
| Settlement | This route does not lead to settlement |
Fees
The application fee is £340 for each person, from inside or outside the UK, plus the immigration health surcharge. The sponsor pays £55 for the certificate. A decision is usually made within three weeks from outside the UK and eight weeks from inside. See UK visa fees.
What you can and cannot do
You can work for your sponsor in the job on your certificate, study, volunteer and travel. Your partner and children can apply as dependants. You cannot claim public funds or the State Pension, and you cannot change jobs unless you are eligible and update your visa.
Where applications go wrong
- The business is already trading in the UK, so the Senior or Specialist route is the right one.
- Not enough evidence of 12 months’ employment overseas, or of the seniority of the role.
- Salary below the threshold or the going rate for the occupation code.
- A sponsor licence that does not match the route.
How we help
We advise the business on the licence and certificate, check the role, salary and employment history against the rules, and prepare the application and the dependants’ applications. A consultation costs from £99.
