The Expansion Worker visa allows you to come to the United Kingdom to set up a branch or wholly owned subsidiary of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet. This global business mobility visa allows non UK senior managers to work in the UK as an Expansion Worker in a position for which they have been sponsored, as specified in their sponsorship certificate. The Program is highly attractive for families who have strong trading companies and who want to relocate with their families to the UK
Permanent residency is a visa status which allows the holder of a Permanent Residence Permit to live in the country without being a citizen. In most cases, they may also live, work and study in the country of residence.
Option 2
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Expansion Worker Visa Program
This global business mobility visa allows non-UK senior managers to work in the UK as a UK Expansion Worker in a position for which they have been sponsored, as specified in their sponsorship certificate.
With a UK Expansion Worker, You’re allowed to:
Work for your sponsor for the job that is listed on your sponsorship certificate.
Bring your spouse and children with you as your “dependents”. Travel in and out of the UK.
Religion: Christianity (dominant), with no official state religion in the UK as a whole
Population: 69,280,000
Age Structure: 0-14yr: 17.2% 15-64yr: 64.0% 65yr+: 18.8%
FAQs
It lets a senior manager or specialist employee come to the UK to set up a branch or wholly-owned subsidiary of an overseas business that has not yet started trading in the UK. If the company is already trading in the UK, you should use a different route (e.g., Senior or Specialist Worker).
Permission is granted for the shorter of (a) 12 months after the job’s CoS start date or (b) the time on your CoS +14 days. You can extend once by up to 12 months; the maximum on this route is 2 years. Time spent on GBM routes (incl. Expansion Worker) also counts toward a 5 years in any 6-year overall cap.
No. The UK Expansion Worker route is not a route to settlement. Many companies switch key staff into Skilled Worker after the UK entity starts trading (Skilled Worker can lead to ILR after 5 years).
You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed sponsor, be doing a job on the eligible occupations list, and be paid at least the minimum eligible salary. You must also have worked for the overseas employer outside the UK for 12 months, unless you’re a high earner (£73,900+) or covered by Japan/Australia trade-agreement exceptions. Apply within 3 months of CoS issue
The general minimum is £52,500 per year or the going rate for the occupation (whichever is higher). When assessing salary, only up to 48 hours/week count toward the threshold (averaging rules apply for uneven patterns).
There’s no fixed investment amount in the Immigration Rules for this route. The focus is sponsorship, an eligible job and salary, and proving the business is expanding but not yet trading in the UK (UKVI expects the UK entity to establish a trading presence within 2 years).
There is no separate English-language requirement listed for the UK Expansion Worker route (requirements are CoS, eligible job, 12-month employment/exception, and salary).
Dependants (partner; children) can apply. You’ll usually need at least £1,270 in personal savings (unless exempt). Dependants’ maintenance — £285 (partner), £315 (first child), £200 (each additional child) — may also be required unless the sponsor certifies maintenance.
You can work for your sponsor in the role on your CoS, study, do voluntary work, and travel in/out of the UK. You cannot take a second job, access public funds, or change jobs without updating the visa.
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