UK Expansion Worker Visa

What is a UK Expansion Worker Visa?

A UK Expansion Worker visa enables employees who are either senior managers or specialist employees to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas business that has not yet started trading in the UK.

What Are the Key Eligibility Requirements for a UK Expansion Worker Visa?

In order to successfully apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa applicants must meet the following key requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age;
• Must have a certificate of sponsorship from their employer;
• Must have worked for their sponsor outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless they are either earning over £73,900 per year, or are a Japanese national working for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK, or the applicant is a national or permanent resident of Australia seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary of their sponsor group under the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement (when the agreement comes into force or is provisionally applied);
• Must do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• Must be paid at least £42,400 per year or the going rate, whichever is higher.
• The job offer is for a genuine vacancy;
• Must evidence they have sufficient money to support themselves or their sponsor must confirm that they will support the applicant. If, however an applicant has been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more, they will not need to show proof that they have sufficient money to support themselves; and
• May need to provide a tuberculosis (TB) certificate depending on which country the applicant resides in.

How Long is a UK Expansion Worker Visa Valid for?

A UK Expansion Worker visa is granted for whichever is shorter of:

• 12 months after the start date of the job detailed in the certificate of sponsorship; or
• The time given on the certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days

Can a UK Expansion Worker Visa be Extended?

Before the expiry of a UK Expansion Worker visa, an applicant must apply to the Home Office to extend their stay in the UK for another 12 months. The maximum time applicants can stay in the UK on a UK Expansion Worker visa is 2 years.

To note, applicants can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if they have spent time on any of these visas:

• Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
• Intra-company Transfer visa
• Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
• UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Does a UK Expansion Worker Visa Lead to Settlement?

The Global Business Mobility routes do not lead to settlement. However once in the UK, under this visa applicants may be able to apply to switch to another category such as the Skilled Worker route which does lead to settlement.

To note, any permission applicants have in the Global Business Mobility route will not count towards the qualifying period of stay required to settle.

Can Dependants Join or Accompany UK Expansion Workers?

The partner and children of an applicant can accompany or join them so long as they meet the eligibility criteria. If this is met, then they will be issued a visa which will have the same end date as the UK Expansion Worker visa holder.

How Long Does it Take For a Decision to be Made?

The Home Office will usually process a UK Expansion Worker visa application within 3 weeks if the application is made from outside the UK. If an application is made within the UK a decision is usually made within 8 weeks.

If eligible, applicants will be advised whether they can apply to get a decision faster. The Home Office charge additional fees for these priority services.

How Much Does it Cost?

The Home Office fee for a UK Expansion Worker visa is £259.

Applicants will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. This is usually £624 per year.

How We Can Help You

Our highly experienced team will provide expert advice and guidance to you throughout your immigration journey.

If you have any questions, please complete our online enquiry form or email us at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call us on 01724 701111 and one of our experts will be happy to assist you.