Overview
A UK Expansion Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet. You must already work for the overseas business as either a senior manager or specialist employee.
If your business is already trading in the UK, you should apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa instead.
If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.
The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people.
You can still apply if either:
- • you have a later deadline – for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
- • you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 – for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse.
Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.
Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa you need to:
- • have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer
- • have worked for your employer outside the UK
- • do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
- • be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job
The specific eligibility depends on your job.
How long you can stay in the UK
You can stay in the UK with a UK Expansion Worker visa for whichever is shorter of:
- • 12 months after the start date of the job on your certificate of sponsorship
- • the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days
If you want to stay longer in the UK, you can extend your visa by 12 months. The maximum time you can stay in the UK on a UK Expansion Worker visa is 2 years.
If you’ve spent time in the UK on this or another visa, you might not be able to stay on a UK Expansion Worker visa for as long. 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 these 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)
How to apply
You must apply online.
How you apply depends on whether you’re:
- • outside the UK and are coming to the UK
- • inside the UK and extending your current visa
- • inside the UK and switching from a different visa
You can include your partner and children in your application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
How much it costs
You, your partner or children will each need to:
- • pay the application fee
- • pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
- • prove you have enough personal savings
How long it takes
You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- • 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- • 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.
What you can and cannot do
With a UK Expansion Worker visa you can:
- • work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
- • study
- • bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
- • do voluntary work
- • travel abroad and return to the UK
You cannot:
- • apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
- • change jobs unless you are eligible and you update your visa
- • have a second job
- • apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’)
If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with this visa.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa you need to:
- • have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer
- • have worked for your employer outside the UK
- • do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
- • be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job
Getting a certificate of sponsorship
Your employer – also known as your sponsor – will give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ with information about the role you will do in the UK. It’s an electronic record, not a paper document.
You’ll need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.
If your employer is not currently approved to sponsor people to work in the UK, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they’re eligible.
How long you need to have worked for your employer outside the UK
You must have worked for your employer outside of the UK for at least 12 months unless you’re either:
- • earning over £73,900
- • a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK
Check if your job is eligible
Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. You can get this from your employer or your certificate of sponsorship.
When you know your occupation code, view the table of eligible jobs to see if it’s included.
Salary requirements
You must be paid at least £42,400 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your job – whichever is higher.
Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.
How much it costs
When you apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to:
- • pay the £259 application fee
- • pay the healthcare surcharge – this is usually £624 per year
- • support yourself when you arrive in the UK – you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt)
You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply.
Healthcare surcharge
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay – this is usually £624 per year. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
Money to support yourself
You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK.
You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply.
You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more.
Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need.
Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.
Documents you’ll need to apply
When you apply you’ll need to provide:
- • your certificate of sponsorship reference number – your employer will give you this
- • a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
- • your job title and annual salary
- • your job’s occupation code
- • the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number – this will be on your certificate of sponsorship
- • evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK, for example bank statements
- • proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you
- • your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country
Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one. If you’re the authorising officer for your organisation, your certificate will be in the sponsor management system.
Other documents you might need
Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide:
- • evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK
- • a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher
You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to give your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) at a visa application centre. You’ll be told if you need to do this when you apply.
If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.
Evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK
After you apply you might be asked to show you’ve worked for your employer for 12 months.
You will not have to show this if you’re either:
- • earning over £73,900
- • a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK
If you’re asked, you’ll need to show you’ve been paid by your employer over this time period. You can provide:
- • printed payslips
- • online payslips supported by a letter from your sponsor signed by a senior staff member
- • bank or building society statements
- • a building society pass book
Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for a UK Expansion Worker visa.
Check which documents you’ll need to apply.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- • have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document (you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account)
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment:
- • the visa application centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
- • you may have to travel to get to your nearest centre (this could be in another country)
Apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:
- • your supporting documents need to be verified
- • you need to attend an interview
- • of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.
Your relationship
A dependant partner or child is any of the following:
- • your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- • your child under 18 – including if they were born in the UK during your stay
- • your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant
You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.
Your partner
You must be able to prove that either:
- • you’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
- • you’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
If your child is 16 or over
They must:
- • live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)
- • not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children
- • be financially supported by you
If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide evidence of their address such as:
- • a bank statement
- • credit card bills
- • driving licence
- • NHS registration document
- • an official letter from their university or college
Money they need to support themselves
Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.
You – or your partner or child – will need:
- • £285 for your partner
- • £315 for one child
- • £200 for each additional child
Example
You – or your partner or child – would need to have £600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (£285 for your partner and £315 for your child). You would also need to have £1,270 to support yourself for your own application.
You – or your partner or child – will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa.
You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they’ll only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year.
Apply from outside the UK
Your partner and children must either:
Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.
They’ll also need your application number – you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.
Proving their identity
As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.
They’ll either:
- • have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document – they’ll also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.
If they do need an appointment:
- • the visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application
- • they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country)
How long it takes to get a decision
Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
They may be able to pay to get a faster decision – they’ll be told if they can when they apply.
Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa)
Your partner or child can apply to extend or switch their visa either:
- • at the same time as you apply to extend or switch your own visa
- • at any time before their current visa expires
This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.
Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK:
- • on a visit visa
- • on a short-term student visa
- • on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- • on a seasonal worker visa
- • on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- • on immigration bail
- • because they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
How to apply
Your partner and children must apply online to either:
They’ll need your application number – you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.
Proving their identity
As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. They’ll either:
- • have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan their identity document – they’ll also create or sign in to their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
They’ll be told what they need to do when they apply.
They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.
How long it takes to get a decision
Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.
They may be able to pay to get a faster decision – they’ll be told if they can when they apply.
Children born in the UK
If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.
You can apply online for their visa as your dependant. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.
You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.
You must apply for their dependent visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.
Extend your visa
You can apply to extend your UK Expansion Worker visa if all the following are true:
- • you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
- • your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
- • you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
- • you have not reached the maximum total stay
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
You must be in the UK to extend your visa.
If your job changes
You’ll need to apply to update your visa instead.
Fees
Check how much it costs for your type of visa.
Providing biometric information and supporting documents
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- • give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
Apply to extend your UK Expansion Worker visa
You must apply online before your current visa expires.
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.
How long it takes to get a decision
You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.
You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:
- • your supporting documents need to be verified
- • you need to attend an interview
- • of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
- Update your visa if your job changes
You’ll need to apply to update your UK Expansion Worker visa if your job changes to a different occupation code. You must still have the same employer.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
Fees
Check how much it costs for your type of visa.
You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken. There’s no fee for this.
Eligibility and documents you’ll need to apply
Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship.
You’ll only need to provide other evidence again if you’ve been in the UK for less than one year.
When to apply to update your visa
You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.
You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered – as long as you apply before your current visa expires.
You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- • give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You’ll be told how to do this when you apply. You’ll also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to.
Apply to update your UK Expansion Worker visa
You must apply online.
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.
How long it takes to get a decision
You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.
You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:
- • your supporting documents need to be verified
- • you need to attend an interview
- • of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVIhas not started processing your application.
You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
Switch to this visa
You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a UK Expansion Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to switch their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Who cannot apply to switch
You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK:
- • on a visit visa
- • on a short-term student visa
- • on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- • on a seasonal worker visa
- • on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- • on immigration bail
- • because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
You must leave the UK and apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa from abroadif you’re in one of these categories.
Fees
Proving your identity and providing supporting documents
As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity.
How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
- • give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document (you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account)
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
Apply to switch to a UK Expansion Worker visa
Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.
How long it takes to get a decision
You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.
You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:
- • your supporting documents need to be verified
- • you need to attend an interview
- • of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision – you’ll be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVIhas not started processing your application.
You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
The above information is from the government website here.
As aspects of these applications can be complex, we are here to assist should you require it.