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UK Expansion Worker Visa

UK Expansion Worker Visa overview

The UK Expansion Worker Visa lets a senior manager or specialist employee of an overseas company move to the UK to set up a new branch or subsidiary. The overseas business must have been active and trading for at least 3 years and not yet trading in the UK, and it must establish a UK-registered company that holds a Sponsorship Licence and issues a Certificate of Sponsorship. The applicant must usually have worked for the overseas employer for at least 12 months, hold a job on the eligible occupations list, and be paid the higher of the going rate for the job or £52,500. They also need at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, must pay the Health Surcharge of GBP 1,035 per person, and must provide a criminal record certificate and a clear tuberculosis test. The visa is granted for 1 year and can be extended once for a further year, up to 2 years. A spouse or partner and children under 18 can be included and are free to work or study. The visa does not lead directly to settlement, but holders can later switch to a route such as the Skilled Worker visa. This program is only for foreign senior employees of overseas companies establishing or managing a UK branch or subsidiary. It is not for individuals seeking employment in the UK.

UK Expansion Worker Visa benefits

  • Enables a senior employee of an overseas company to move to the UK and establish a new branch or subsidiary
  • One of the highest standards of living in the world and a member of the G-7 group of countries
  • Diverse and multicultural society, represented by large cultural and ethnic communities
  • A high standard of education, including state and private schools, higher education institutions, and universities
  • One of the best medical care services in the world
  • Access to business opportunities throughout Europe
  • London is unrivalled as a financial business centre
  • The travel mobility and security of a UK passport
  • Can include a spouse or partner and children under 18 years

UK Expansion Worker Visa requirements

  • Currently work for an overseas employer that has been active and trading for at least 3 years
  • Have worked for the employer outside the UK for at least 12 months prior to the date of application (some exceptions apply)
  • Have a valid certificate of sponsorship from the employer
  • Perform a job that is on the list of eligible occupations
  • Be sponsored to undertake a genuine job in the UK
  • Be paid the minimum eligible salary required for the job or at least £52,500 (whichever is higher)
  • Have sufficient funds of at least £1,270 available, held for at least 28 consecutive days before the date of application

UK Expansion Worker Visa investment options

Financial Requirements

  • Be paid the minimum eligible salary required for the job or at least £52,500 (whichever is higher)
  • Have sufficient funds held for at least 28 consecutive days: at least £1,270 for the main applicant, plus £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for a first child, and £200 for each additional child
  • Pay the Health Surcharge Fee of GBP 1,035 per person

UK Expansion Worker Visa application process

Process (visa issued for 1 year)

  • The overseas business must establish a UK subsidiary company
  • The UK business must obtain a Sponsorship Licence to be able to sponsor the applicant
  • The UK business must issue a certificate of sponsorship to the applicant
  • Within 3 months of the certificate of sponsorship being issued, the applicant must apply for the UK Expansion Worker visa
  • The applicant must attend a Visa Application Centre for biometrics
  • The visa is issued for 1 year and may be extended for a further year, for a maximum of 2 years in total
  • Once a UK trading presence is established, the applicant can switch to a Skilled Worker visa (typically after 1 year)
  • The applicant can apply for settlement after holding a Skilled Worker visa for 5 years

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply for the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

The applicant must set up a UK company that issues a valid Certificate of Sponsorship, have worked for the parent company outside the UK for at least 12 months (with some exceptions), hold a job on the list of eligible occupations, be sponsored to do a genuine job in the UK, and be paid the higher of the minimum eligible salary for the job or £52,500.

They must also have sufficient funds of at least £1,270 for the main applicant plus £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for a first child, and £200 for each additional child, held for at least 28 consecutive days, pay the Health Surcharge of GBP 1,035 per person, not be ineligible under the general grounds for refusal, provide a criminal record certificate issued within the last six months confirming no criminal convictions, and provide a clear tuberculosis test result.

How long is the UK Expansion Worker Visa valid for?

The visa is valid for either 1 year from the start date on the Certificate of Sponsorship or the end date on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.

What are the requirements for the overseas business under the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

The overseas business must not be trading in the UK, but it must have a UK-registered company as either an overseas branch or a subsidiary of the overseas linked business. The overseas business must also be active and have been trading overseas for a minimum of 3 years.

How long should the applicant have been working for the overseas business under the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

The applicant must have worked for the overseas business for at least 12 months before the application date, unless their gross annual salary is more than £73,900, or they are a Japanese national seeking to establish a UK branch or subsidiary of the linked business under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

What are the job requirements for the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

The applicant must do a job on the list of eligible occupations, undertake a genuine job in the UK, and be paid the higher of the minimum eligible salary for the job or £52,500.

Can a UK Expansion Worker Visa holder extend their stay in the UK?

The applicant can extend the visa for a further 12 months only. If they have already spent time in the UK on any of the Global Mobility Routes or the former Intra-company routes, they may not be able to stay on the UK Expansion Worker Visa for the full period.

Can a UK Expansion Worker Visa holder automatically work in other EU countries?

No. The visa only allows the applicant to live and work in the UK.

Can the applicant's spouse and minor children also benefit from the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

Yes. A spouse, or a partner the applicant has lived with for at least 2 years, and children under 18 (including adopted children) who are financially dependent on the applicant can be included. Dependents are free to work or study in the UK.

Does the UK Expansion Worker Visa lead to settlement?

No. However, once the holder establishes a trading presence in the UK, they may become eligible to switch to a visa that leads to settlement, such as the Skilled Worker visa.

When can the applicant apply for permanent residence after the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

Once the applicant has switched to a visa that leads to settlement, they may become eligible to apply for permanent residence after 5 years of residence in the UK.

When can the applicant apply for citizenship after the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

The applicant becomes eligible to apply for British citizenship after living in the UK for at least 5 years and holding permanent residence for at least 1 year, subject to meeting other requirements.

Does the UK allow dual citizenship under the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

Yes. There is no restriction on dual or multiple citizenship.

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