UK Expansion Worker Visa
About this service
The UK Expansion Worker visa, part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) route, allows senior managers or specialist employees of overseas businesses to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. This route is designed for businesses not yet trading in the UK and offers a temporary stay of up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify for a UK Expansion Worker visa if you:
- Are employed in a senior managerial or specialist role by an overseas business.
- Have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you meet specific exemptions (e.g., high earners).
- Are assigned to the UK to undertake work related to the business’s expansion.
- Will be working in a role that is on the list of eligible occupations.
- Will be paid at least £48,500 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your job—whichever is higher.
Your employer must hold a valid sponsor licence and provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the role.
Duration of Stay:
The initial visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to 12 months. You can apply to extend your stay by an additional 12 months, making the maximum duration under this route 2 years.
Note: You can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if you’ve spent time on any of the following 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)
The stay duration under this route is 2 years, where applicants may extend your visa in 12-month increments. Once this duration ends, you may switch to another eligible route to continue living and working in the UK. However, you can only stay for a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period if you have had any of the following visa grants before:
- Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
- Intra-company Transfer visa
- Graduate Trainee visa
- Secondment Worker visa
- Senior or Specialist Worker visa
- Service Supplier visa
- UK Expansion Worker visa
Application Requirements:
To apply, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor.
- Provide proof of sufficient personal savings (usually £1,270) to support yourself in the UK, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance, plus additional savings for every single dependent (child, spouse)
- Meet the English language requirement, if applicable.
- Provide a valid tuberculosis test result, if you’re from a listed country.
Fees:
As of April 2025, the fees associated with the UK Expansion Worker visa are:
- Visa application fee: £319
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): £55
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year
Please note that fees are subject to change, and it’s advisable to check the latest rates before applying.
For personalised assistance or more information on the UK Expansion Worker visa, please contact us or call 0203 815 8440 to book an appointment. Monday to Friday, 10:00–17:00 (UK time).
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo..
The Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 introduced no-fault divorce in England and Wales. This means that you can apply for a divorce without having to blame your partner for the breakdown of the marriage.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Testimonials
