UK Expansion Worker Visa
Obtain your UK expansion visa with our professionals’ best assistance
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is a work visa for individuals seeking to relocate to the UK and work for a qualifying company. To qualify, you must have a valid job offer, meet the minimum salary threshold, possess the necessary skills and qualifications, and demonstrate English language proficiency. The visa offers opportunities for career advancement and contributes to the UK economy by attracting skilled workers.
What is the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is a temporary visa under the Global Business Mobility category, designed for employees who are coming to the UK to assist in establishing a new branch or subsidiary of their overseas employer. This visa is specifically for roles crucial to the setup of the new UK operation, with the requirement that the UK business has not yet started trading.
To qualify for the UK expansion visa, applicants must be sponsored by a Home Office-licenced employer, and the job must meet certain skill and salary requirements. The UK worker visa is generally granted for up to 12 months and does not directly lead to settlement in the UK, though visa holders may switch to other routes that offer a path to settlement. Dependents, including partners and children, may accompany the visa holder.
How Does The Global Business Mobility UK Visa Differ From The UK Expansion Worker Visa?
The Global Business Mobility UK Visa is a broader category of work visa that includes the UK Expansion Worker Visa as one of its sub-categories.
While the UK Expansion Worker Visa specifically targets individuals involved in setting up or expanding a UK branch of an overseas business, the Global Business Mobility Visa encompasses a wider range of roles, such as senior or specialist workers, secondment workers, and graduate trainees.
The Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa is intended for senior managers and specialist employees who need to come to the UK temporarily to assist with the establishment of a new branch or subsidiary of an overseas business that has not yet begun operations in the UK. This visa permits sponsors to bring up to five workers simultaneously to support the setup and expansion of the new UK venture.
If the business is already operational in the UK, employees may need to apply for a different visa, such as the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa. For those interested in establishing a new business or owning an existing UK business, the Skilled Worker visa via self-sponsorship might also be an option.
To obtain a UK Expansion Worker Visa, applicants must be sponsored by an employer licenced by the Home Office, and the position must meet certain skill and salary criteria. While this visa does not provide a direct path to settlement in the UK, holders can switch to other visa categories that offer a route to settlement. Partners and dependent children can join or accompany the visa holder.
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Eligibility Criteria: UK Expansion Worker Visa
To qualify for a Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must meet several requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration:
- Age: You must be 18 or over.
- Employment Link: You must currently work for a business or organisation that is linked to your UK sponsor through common ownership or control.
- Work Experience: You need to have worked outside the UK for the linked business or organisation for a cumulative period of at least 12 months. Exceptions apply if you are a high earner with an annual salary of £73,900 or more if you are a Japanese national under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or an Australian national under the Free Trade Agreement between the UK and Australia.
- Certificate of Sponsorship: You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor for the job you will be doing.
- Genuine Role: The job you are planning to undertake must be genuine and necessary for the business expansion.
- Skill Level: The role must be at an appropriate skill level, typically RQF Level 6 or equivalent.
- Salary: Your salary must meet or exceed both the general salary threshold of £48,500 per year and the ‘going rate’ for the relevant SOC 2020 occupation code.
- Maintenance Funds: You need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself without relying on public funds.
- TB Certificate: If applicable, you must provide a valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate.
The specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances, so consulting with an immigration lawyer for personalised advice is recommended.
How Do I Apply For UK Expansion Worker Visa?
To apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa, follow these steps:
- Complete the Online Application: Use your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number to fill out the online application form. You can apply up to 3 months before your planned start date in the UK as stated on your CoS.
- Prove Your Identity and Provide Documents: As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity and submit any supporting documents. This may include your passport, Certificate of Sponsorship, proof of English language proficiency, and evidence of maintenance funds.
- Attend an Appointment (if required):You might need to attend an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph). You will be informed if an appointment is necessary during your application process.
You might need to attend an appointment to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph). You will be informed if an appointment is necessary during your application process.
What Documents Are Required For UK Expansion Worker Visa?
When applying for a UK Expansion Worker Visa, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Valid Passport: A current passport with at least one blank page for the visa.
- Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): A unique reference number provided by your UK employer, confirming your job offer.
- Proof of Business Operations: Documentation showing that the overseas business is genuine and active.
- Business Plan: A detailed plan outlining the business’s goals, strategies, and financial projections for the UK expansion.
- Proof of Employment: Evidence that you hold a senior position within the company, such as a contract of employment or a letter from your employer.
- Financial Evidence: Documents demonstrating that the business can financially support its UK operations, such as bank statements or financial reports.
- Proof of Qualifications: Certificates or diplomas verifying your relevant qualifications and experience.
- Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs of the applicant, meeting UK visa photo requirements.
- Criminal Record Certificate (if required): A certificate from any country where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years if requested.
- Tuberculosis Test Results (if required): A test certificate if you are from a country where TB testing is mandatory for UK visa applications.
- Proof of Relationship (if dependents are accompanying): Documents such as marriage or birth certificates for any dependents travelling with you.
- Immigration Health Surcharge Receipt: Proof of payment for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
Ensure that all documents are up-to-date and meet the specific requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration.
- Sponsorship (20 points): Applicants must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licenced sponsor and be sponsored for a genuine role that satisfies the overseas work requirement. They must be employed by an overseas linked employer for at least 12 months unless they earn over £73,900 or are Japanese or Australian nationals working for their respective companies expanding to the UK.
- Skill (20 points): The job role must meet the required minimum skill level as outlined in the UK Government’s list of eligible occupations. The applicant must be sponsored for a role deemed appropriate according to the list.
- Salary (20 points): The job must offer an annual salary of at least £48,500 or the ‘going rate’ for that role, whichever is higher.
Additional requirements include providing a valid TB test certificate if from a listed country. If applying for entry clearance or leave to remain and have been in the UK for less than 12 months, applicants must also demonstrate proof of funds of at least £1,270 unless their sponsor can certify maintenance. The funds must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days, with the end date of this period falling within 31 days of the application.
- Switching to a Skilled Worker Visa: If the business establishes itself and you continue in an eligible role, you may switch to a Skilled Worker Visa, which can lead to settlement after 5 years.
- Meeting Settlement Requirements: To apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), you need 5 years of continuous residence under an eligible visa, pass the Life in the UK Test, demonstrate English proficiency, and meet absence limits.
How West End Consultants Can Help?
West End Consultants is a UK-based OISC-regulated immigration consultancy firm with over 15 years of experience in supporting businesses and individuals through visa processes. We specialise in UK expansion worker visas, offering comprehensive assistance to ensure you meet all the requirements.
Our professional team assists businesses in navigating the complexities of obtaining and maintaining sponsor licences, ensuring that you comply with all regulatory standards. We handle all aspects of the application process, from gathering and verifying documentation to managing communications with immigration authorities.
For individual applicants, we provide you with support throughout the visa application process. This includes help with preparing necessary documents, proving English language proficiency, and securing valid job offers.
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