UK Expansion Worker Visa Guide

The UK Expansion Worker visa is one of the five sub-routes under the Global Business Mobility (GBM) visa category. It is designed for overseas businesses seeking to establish a branch or wholly owned subsidiary in the UK, enabling them to send senior managers or specialist employees to set up operations. Unlike its predecessor, the Sole Representative visa, the UK Expansion Worker route requires the applicant to be sponsored by an eligible UK-based entity with a sponsor licence for expansion only, reflecting the UK’s broader shift towards a sponsorship-driven immigration system.

What this article is about:
This guide provides a detailed, legally accurate overview of the UK Expansion Worker visa for both employers and applicants. It explains the visa’s purpose, eligibility requirements, application process, fees, supporting documentation, and the conditions attached to it. It also addresses employer compliance duties, restrictions on visa holders, and the options available for switching to other routes or obtaining long-term residence. The content is aligned with the latest Home Office guidance and Immigration Rules, ensuring that overseas businesses and their employees understand the steps and obligations involved in successfully using this route.

This route is particularly relevant for companies that have no existing trading presence in the UK but are looking to expand their operations into the market. It offers a legal pathway for key overseas personnel to enter the UK temporarily to set up the business, with the possibility of transitioning into a longer-term visa route if the business becomes established and the employee remains integral to UK operations. However, it does not in itself lead directly to indefinite leave to remain (ILR), and there are specific compliance considerations for both the employer and the employee to observe from the outset.

Section A: Understanding the UK Expansion Worker Visa

The UK Expansion Worker visa is a sponsored work route within the Global Business Mobility (GBM) category, aimed at overseas businesses that wish to expand into the UK market by establishing a new branch or wholly owned subsidiary. It enables the business to send senior managers or specialist employees from its overseas headquarters to the UK to carry out the expansion activities.

It differs from other GBM routes because it is designed for businesses that do not yet have a trading presence in the UK. The sponsoring UK entity must hold a specific “UK Expansion Worker” sponsor licence granted by the Home Office for this purpose. The licence is usually provisional until the business has established its UK trading presence. An Authorising Officer must be appointed — in some cases this can be based overseas, but the sponsor must have a mechanism to manage compliance from the UK once operational.

The visa is a temporary, non-settlement route, meaning it is intended for short- to medium-term work rather than permanent relocation, though holders may switch into another route that leads to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) if eligible.

1. Overview of the visa route

The UK Expansion Worker route is intended to facilitate inward investment by allowing overseas companies to send key personnel to set up UK operations. It is part of the UK’s post-Brexit immigration framework, which prioritises employer sponsorship and compliance. To qualify, the applicant must be issued a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) by an approved sponsor and meet other eligibility requirements, including holding a qualifying role at the required skill level and meeting minimum salary thresholds.

The role in the UK must be genuine and directly related to the expansion activity. This could involve setting up physical premises, recruiting initial UK-based staff, or liaising with clients and suppliers. The business must demonstrate it is actively planning and capable of starting UK operations within the visa validity period.

2. Key differences from previous Sole Representative Visa

The UK Expansion Worker visa replaced the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business route in April 2022. The most significant change is the introduction of the sponsorship requirement. Under the old route, applicants could apply directly without the UK entity holding a sponsor licence. Now, the UK branch (or intended branch) must be licensed before the worker applies, adding an additional compliance step.

• The Expansion Worker visa allows multiple workers to be sent to the UK (up to five at any one time), whereas the Sole Representative route only allowed one representative.
• There is no majority shareholding restriction for the applicant, unlike the Sole Representative route.
• The new route operates under a points-based system, with specific skill and salary criteria.

3. Duration and conditions of stay

A UK Expansion Worker visa is typically granted for the period stated on the Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, up to a maximum of 12 months on the initial grant. It can be extended for a further 12 months, giving a maximum stay of two years in total under this route.

However, the GBM category has an overall cap: applicants cannot spend more than five years in any six-year period across all GBM routes and certain other work visas. This prevents indefinite use of temporary work visas to remain in the UK long term.

During the visa period, holders can work for their sponsoring employer in the role specified on their CoS, undertake supplementary work in certain circumstances, and study. They cannot access public funds, work in a second job that is not permitted under supplementary work rules, or take permanent employment outside the sponsorship arrangement.

Section Summary: The UK Expansion Worker visa is a specialised temporary work route for overseas businesses establishing a UK presence. It differs significantly from the former Sole Representative route by requiring employer sponsorship, limiting simultaneous workers to five, and allowing only short-term stays. It offers an initial stay of up to one year, extendable to two years, within an overall GBM time cap, and imposes conditions on permitted work and activities.

Section B: Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the UK Expansion Worker visa, both the sponsoring employer and the applicant must meet specific eligibility criteria set out in the Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance. These requirements are designed to ensure the expansion is genuine and that the applicant is suitably skilled and employed in a legitimate role.

1. Employer eligibility (UK sponsor licence)

The UK Expansion Worker visa requires the UK-based branch or subsidiary to hold a valid sponsor licence granted by the Home Office under the “UK Expansion Worker” category. This licence type is restricted to organisations that:

• Have an established trading presence overseas but no active trading presence in the UK.
• Can demonstrate a genuine intention and capability to establish a UK operation.
• Can provide evidence of overseas trading history, such as audited accounts, business plans, and organisational structure charts.

The application for the sponsor licence must include details of the overseas business, the planned UK expansion, and proof that the UK entity is linked to the overseas company by common ownership or control. The Home Office allows a maximum of five sponsored workers at any one time under this route.

A UK-based Authorising Officer is normally required, but where none is available, the sponsor may be granted a provisional licence until the UK operation is set up and compliance functions can be transferred.

2. Applicant eligibility

To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa, the applicant must:

• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK Expansion Worker sponsor.
• Have been employed by the overseas business outside the UK for at least 12 months immediately before the application, unless earning £73,900 or more, or covered by specific international trade agreement exemptions (e.g., UK-Japan CEPA).
• Be coming to the UK to perform an eligible role at RQF Level 6 or above, as listed in the Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations.
• Meet the salary threshold of £48,500 per year or £23.10 per hour, unless the going rate for the occupation is higher.

The Home Office will assess whether the role is genuine and not created primarily to facilitate immigration rather than meet a legitimate business need.

3. Financial maintenance

Applicants must show they have at least £1,270 in personal savings, held for 28 consecutive days ending within 31 days of the application, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance on the CoS. This certification commits the employer to support the applicant (and any dependants) for the first month in the UK up to prescribed amounts.

4. English language

There is no English language requirement for this visa. However, proficiency may still be advantageous for operational purposes and will be mandatory if switching to certain settlement-eligible routes.

Section Summary: The UK Expansion Worker visa has strict eligibility criteria for both employers and applicants. The employer must obtain an expansion worker sponsor licence and can sponsor up to five workers at any one time. The applicant must meet employment history, skill level, and salary requirements, with financial maintenance evidence unless exempt.

Section C: Application Process & Supporting Documents

The application process is two-fold: the sponsor must first secure and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship, then the applicant must submit their visa application with supporting evidence.

1. Obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once the sponsor licence is approved, the employer assigns a defined CoS to each eligible overseas worker. This confirms details of the role, salary, and visa period. Accuracy is critical as errors can lead to refusal or compliance action.

2. Online application process

The applicant applies online via the UK Government portal, using the CoS reference number. They must pay the visa fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), and book an appointment for biometrics at a visa application centre or verify identity through the UK Immigration: ID Check app if eligible.

Processing times are generally around three weeks from biometrics, though delays can occur during high-demand periods.

3. Required supporting documents

Typical documents include:

• Valid passport or travel document.
• CoS reference number.
• Evidence of overseas employment for at least 12 months (unless exempt).
• Proof of salary meeting the threshold.
• Bank statements showing maintenance funds (unless certified by the sponsor).
• Tuberculosis test certificate if required.

Documents in a language other than English or Welsh must have certified translations meeting Home Office standards.

4. Application fees & Immigration Health Surcharge

• Visa application fee: £298 per applicant.
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £1,035 per year.
• Dependants pay the same fees and IHS rate.

Section Summary: The UK Expansion Worker application is sponsor-led, beginning with a CoS and ending with a fully documented visa submission. Fees, IHS costs, and correct document preparation are key considerations for employers and applicants alike.

Section D: Conditions, Restrictions & Compliance

1. What you can and cannot do

Visa holders can:

• Work for their sponsoring employer in the role stated on the CoS.
• Undertake supplementary work (up to 20 hours per week) in permitted shortage occupation or same-skill-level roles.
• Study alongside work.
• Bring dependants meeting visa rules.

Visa holders cannot:

• Access public funds.
• Work outside permitted supplementary work conditions.
• Take permanent employment unrelated to the sponsorship.
• Count time in this route towards ILR (must switch to a qualifying route).

2. Sponsor compliance duties

Sponsors must:

• Maintain accurate records and right-to-work checks.
• Report role changes, non-attendance, or early terminations to the Home Office within set deadlines.
• Ensure the role remains genuine and compliant.

Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension, revocation, and immediate curtailment of sponsored workers’ visas.

3. Switching and settlement

This visa does not lead directly to ILR. However, switching to routes such as Skilled Worker can open a path to settlement, provided the applicant meets requirements, including English language and minimum salary thresholds.

4. Risks of non-compliance

Breaches can result in:

• Visa curtailment and removal for workers.
• Licence loss, civil penalties, and reputational damage for sponsors.

Section Summary: The UK Expansion Worker visa imposes strict rules for both employers and workers. Sponsors must maintain compliance to avoid penalties, and workers must adhere to visa conditions. While it does not lead to settlement directly, switching to an eligible route can provide a long-term pathway for those seeking to remain in the UK.

FAQs

Can the UK Expansion Worker visa lead to permanent residency?

Not directly. You must switch to an ILR-eligible route and meet its requirements.

How long do I need to have worked for the overseas business before applying?

Usually at least 12 months, unless exempt as a high earner (£73,900+) or under certain trade agreements.

Can family members join me?

Yes, dependants can apply if they meet eligibility and maintenance requirements.

What happens if the expansion plan changes?

The sponsor must report changes to the Home Office. In some cases, a new CoS or visa may be required.

Is there an English requirement?

No for this visa, yes for most ILR-eligible visas.

Can I take a second job?

Yes, if it meets supplementary work rules.

Conclusion

The UK Expansion Worker visa provides a regulated route for overseas businesses to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. It requires careful planning, strict sponsor compliance, and meeting detailed eligibility requirements. While it does not itself provide settlement rights, it can be part of a long-term immigration strategy if the worker later switches into an ILR-qualifying category.

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