UK Expansion Worker Visa Applications – Immigration Solicitors Manchester
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is part of the Global Business Mobility visa routes and allows overseas companies to send senior employees to the United Kingdom to establish a new branch or subsidiary.
This visa is designed for businesses that have not yet started trading in the UK but wish to expand their operations and establish a presence in the UK market.
The route replaced the former Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa in many cases.
At TM Fortis Solicitors, our specialist immigration solicitors provide expert legal advice to businesses and employees applying under the UK Expansion Worker Visa route, ensuring that applications comply fully with the UK Immigration Rules.
What Is the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
The UK Expansion Worker Visa allows senior managers or specialist employees of overseas businesses to come to the UK to set up a new UK branch or subsidiary.
This visa enables international companies to establish operations in the United Kingdom by transferring experienced staff to oversee the expansion.
The visa allows successful applicants to:
- Work for their sponsoring employer in the UK
- Assist with setting up a UK branch or subsidiary
- Travel in and out of the UK
- Bring eligible dependant family members
If the overseas business is already trading in the UK, employees should normally apply under the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa instead.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a UK Expansion Worker Visa, applicants must meet several requirements.
Applicants must:
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by their employer
- Be employed by an overseas business that intends to expand to the UK
- Work in a job that appears on the Home Office list of eligible occupations
- Be paid at least £52,500 per year or the going rate for the job, whichever is higher
The UK sponsor must also hold a Home Office sponsor licence under the Global Business Mobility route.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applicants must receive a Certificate of Sponsorship from their employer before applying for the visa.
The certificate is an electronic record confirming:
- The job role being offered
- Salary and employment conditions
- Details of the UK expansion project
- Sponsor licence information
Applicants must include the Certificate of Sponsorship reference number in their visa application.
Applications must normally be submitted within three months of receiving the certificate.
Previous Employment Requirement
Applicants must have worked for their employer outside the UK for at least 12 months before the visa application.
However, this requirement may not apply in certain circumstances.
The 12-month requirement may be waived where:
- The applicant earns £73,900 or more per year, or
- The applicant is a Japanese national working for a Japanese company expanding to the UK, or
- The applicant is an Australian national or permanent resident working for an Australian company expanding to the UK
Salary Requirements
Applicants must be paid a salary of at least:
- £52,500 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the job, whichever is higher
Each eligible occupation has a specific going rate determined by the Home Office.
Employers must also ensure that the role complies with UK employment law and minimum wage requirements.
Eligible Occupations
The job offered must appear on the Home Office list of eligible occupations for the Global Business Mobility route.
Each occupation is assigned a four-digit occupation code.
Applicants can obtain their occupation code from:
- Their Certificate of Sponsorship, or
- Their employer
The salary must meet the required minimum threshold or the going rate for that occupation.
How Long You Can Stay in the UK
The UK Expansion Worker Visa allows applicants to stay in the UK for whichever is shorter of:
- 12 months from the job start date listed on the Certificate of Sponsorship, or
- The period stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days
Applicants may apply to extend the visa for a further 12 months.
The maximum time allowed under this route is 2 years.
Maximum Stay Across Global Business Mobility Routes
Time spent on certain Global Business Mobility visas counts towards the maximum stay limit.
Applicants can remain in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if they have spent time on any of the following visas:
- Intra-company Transfer visa
- Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
- Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
- Secondment Worker visa
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa
- Service Supplier visa
- UK Expansion Worker visa
Applicants should carefully plan their long-term immigration strategy if they intend to remain in the UK.
Bringing Family Members to the UK
Applicants may bring dependant family members to the UK.
Eligible dependants include:
- A partner or spouse
- Children under the age of 18
Dependants must meet the relevant immigration requirements and provide financial evidence where required.
What You Can Do With a UK Expansion Worker Visa
If granted a UK Expansion Worker Visa, you may:
- Work for your sponsor in the job described on your Certificate of Sponsorship
- Study in the UK
- Travel abroad and return to the UK
- Bring eligible dependant family members
- Undertake certain types of voluntary work
Voluntary work must be unpaid and carried out for organisations such as registered charities or voluntary organisations.
Restrictions Under the UK Expansion Worker Visa
There are also several restrictions under this visa route.
Visa holders cannot:
- Access public funds or most benefits
- Change jobs unless the visa is updated
- Take a second job
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement) under this visa route
The visa is designed as a temporary route to support business expansion into the UK.
Application Process
Applications for the UK Expansion Worker Visa must be submitted online.
Applicants may apply:
- From outside the UK, or
- From within the UK to extend their visa
Applicants can normally apply up to three months before their intended start date, which will appear on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Processing Times
Once the application is submitted and biometric information has been provided, applicants usually receive a decision within:
- 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK
- 8 weeks if applying from inside the UK
Priority services may be available for faster decisions.
Visa Fees and Costs
Applicants and their dependants will usually need to:
- Pay the visa application fee
- Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for each year of their stay
- Demonstrate sufficient personal savings
The exact costs may vary depending on the length of the visa and the location of the application.
How Our Immigration Solicitors Can Help
Our specialist immigration solicitors advise businesses and employees on Global Business Mobility visa routes, including the UK Expansion Worker Visa.
We assist with:
- Sponsor licence applications for overseas businesses
- Corporate immigration strategy for UK expansion
- Certificate of Sponsorship advice
- UK Expansion Worker visa applications
- Immigration compliance for multinational companies
Our aim is to ensure that visa applications comply fully with the UK Immigration Rules and support successful business expansion to the United Kingdom.
Contact Our Immigration Solicitors
If your business is planning to establish a presence in the UK or you are applying under the UK Expansion Worker Visa, our experienced immigration solicitors can assist you.
Contact TM Fortis Solicitors today on 0161 220 6040 for expert legal advice on Global Business Mobility visa applications.
