UK Expansion Worker Visa Lawyers
For businesses based outside the UK, the UK Expansion Worker Visa provides a unique route to bring skilled workers to help launch or oversee their UK operations. This visa is part of the UK’s global business mobility provisions, designed to support overseas businesses as they expand into the market.
At Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, we are committed to providing expert guidance to businesses and individuals navigating the UK Expansion Worker Visa process. We offer tailored support to handle every application process with precision and care.
Overview of the UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is a specialised immigration route designed to enable the entry of senior or specialist employees from overseas businesses into the UK. It is part of the Global Business Mobility framework, which aims to support international companies in establishing a branch or wholly-owned subsidiary in the UK.
This visa replaces the Sole Representative Visa and focuses on enabling businesses to bring key personnel to oversee their initial operations in the UK. Unlike other work visas, such as the Skilled Worker Visa, this route is specifically designed for workers of businesses that are not yet operating in the UK but are planning to expand.
Permissible Activities Under the Visa
The UK Expansion Worker Visa allows holders to engage in specific activities that align with its purpose of facilitating business expansion in the UK. Visa holders are permitted to work exclusively for their sponsoring employer in the role specified on their Certificate of Sponsorship.
Visa holders are permitted to engage in voluntary activities and pursue educational opportunities, as long as these do not disrupt their primary sponsored employment. The visa allows for travel in and out of the UK, offering flexibility for both professional and personal commitments.
Visa holders can bring their dependants, including spouses and children under 18, provided they meet eligibility requirements. However, there are restrictions: holders cannot take a second job, claim public benefits, or apply for indefinite leave to remain under this visa category.
These limitations ensure the visa is used solely for its intended purpose of supporting business expansion efforts.
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Eligibility Criteria of Expansion Worker Visa UK
To qualify for the UK Expansion Worker Visa, applicants must satisfy some specified criteria, ensuring they are eligible to contribute to the establishment of a UK branch or subsidiary. The main requirements are:
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement
To apply for the UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by a licensed UK sponsor. This electronic document confirms your job details and sponsorship.
The CoS must be issued no more than three months before your visa application and include details such as your name, job, salary, start date (within three months of application), and confirmation of compliance with eligibility criteria.
Genuine Job Requirement
The role you are being sponsored for must be authentic and essential for the business expansion. The Home Office will assess whether the job exists, is not fabricated, and has not been created solely to facilitate your visa application. Additionally, you cannot fill temporary or permanent roles with third parties or perform routine contract work for another employer.
Job Skill Level Requirement
The job must meet at least RQF Level 6, equivalent to graduate-level roles. While a degree is not mandatory, the position must align with eligible occupations listed under Appendix Skilled Occupations.
Each job has a specific SOC 2020 occupation code that must be accurately matched by your sponsor. If the Home Office suspects an incorrect code has been used or that you lack the required skills and qualifications, your visa application may be denied.
Salary Requirement
Applicants must satisfy a minimum salary benchmark of £48,500 per year or the “going rate” for their occupation, whichever is higher. The salary is calculated based on guaranteed gross pay (up to 48 hours per week) and includes allowances like mobility premiums or cost-of-living adjustments.
For uneven work patterns, salaries are averaged over a 17-week period to ensure compliance. The “going rate” varies by occupation code and must be prorated for non-standard working hours.
Financial Maintenance Requirement
You must demonstrate financial stability by showing at least £1,270 in savings held for 28 consecutive days before applying. This ensures that you can financially sustain yourself when you arrive in the UK. Alternatively, your sponsor may confirm your maintenance support within the Certificate of Sponsorship. This requirement is exempt if you have been in the UK for over 12 months with valid permission.
Expansion Worker Visa Application Process
To begin, businesses must confirm they hold a sponsor licence issued by the UK Home Office. This licence is essential for the company to sponsor international workers and provide them with Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). After obtaining the licence, the next step is to assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to the applicant.
Each individual applicant must then submit an online visa application, where they will need to fill out a form with necessary details and provide documentation to prove their eligibility. This typically includes details of the job they will undertake, their qualifications, and how they meet the skills and salary requirements set by UK immigration law.
The application fee is required as part of the process, currently set at £298. If the application is endorsed, the individual will be awarded a visa permitting them to enter and work in the UK for the length of their employment. It usually takes around 3 weeks for the visa to be processed for applications from outside the UK and 8 weeks for applications made from inside the UK.
Visa Duration and Extension
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is typically issued for an initial period of up to 12 months. The exact duration is determined by the job start date specified on the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), with the visa’s validity not exceeding 12 months from that date. Additionally, the visa allows for an extra 14 days beyond the end date of the job specified in the CoS, ensuring a seamless transition for visa holders.
If the business operations in the UK require more time, visa holders can apply for an extension of up to 12 months. However, the overall length of stay under this visa category is limited to a maximum of two years, including any possible extensions. To qualify for an extension, applicants must continue working in the same role with the same employer and meet all eligibility requirements.
It is important to note that time spent on this visa counts toward a cumulative limit of five years in any six-year period across Global Business Mobility routes. This ensures that the visa remains focused on its intended purpose of facilitating temporary business expansion rather than long-term residency.
Let Us Help You Secure a Charity Worker Sponsor Licence
Expanding your business to the UK is a significant and strategic decision that requires careful navigation through complex immigration regulations. At Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, we specialise in helping businesses like yours secure the right UK Expansion Worker Visa to bring skilled professionals to the UK and set up operations efficiently.
With our deep understanding of business immigration and decades of experience in assisting businesses, we are uniquely positioned to provide you with tailored advice and support. Our expert immigration lawyers will guide you through every step of the application process, from obtaining your sponsor licence to visa application and ensuring full compliance with UK immigration law.
Contact us today and start your journey towards establishing a successful presence in the UK.
FAQs About The UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is an immigration route for global businesses seeking to establish a presence in the UK. It enables senior or specialist employees from overseas companies to come to the UK to launch a branch or subsidiary.
To apply for a UK Expansion Worker Visa, the overseas business must have a UK expansion worker sponsor licence. This licence is essential for the business to sponsor workers to come to the UK legally.
To apply for a UK Expansion Worker Visa, you need to submit a UK expansion worker visa application, which includes providing details about your overseas business and the role you will fill in the UK. It’s recommended that you seek assistance from immigration solicitors for a smoother application process.
Yes, your spouse and dependant children may be eligible to apply for a dependent visa to stay in the UK with you.
The duration of stay on a UK Expansion Worker Visa typically varies but can be up to 12 months, depending on your specific situation and the terms of your visa. Extensions may be available if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
After your UK Expansion Worker Visa expires, you may have options to extend your stay or switch to another visa route, depending on your circumstances and the eligibility requirements at that time.
Securing a worker sponsor licence requires submitting an application to the UK Home Office, where you must demonstrate the legitimacy of your business and prove your ability to fulfil sponsorship responsibilities. Given the complexity of this process, seeking legal advice is often beneficial.
Dr. Bernard Andonian
Founder, Business Immigration Solicitor and Former Immigration Judge
Dave Vasoodaven
Business Immigration and Self Sponsorship Expert
Fadi Farhat
Business Immigration Expert
