UK Expansion Worker Visa
Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker visa provides an opportunity to come to the UK and establish a new branch for an overseas business.
For detailed information on the Expansion Worker visa, including the application process, or for additional details about Global Business Mobility visas, feel free to contact our legal experts. You can reach us by calling 0333 0124 253 or contacting us online.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Expansion Worker visa, you must meet the following criteria:
Have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer, who must be a UK sponsor.
Have worked for your employer outside of the UK for at least 12 months, unless you meet certain exemptions:
- Earning over £73,900.
- A Japanese national working for a Japanese company expanding to the UK.
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident working for an Australian company expanding to the UK.
- Earning over £73,900.
- A Japanese national working for a Japanese company expanding to the UK.
- An Australian citizen or permanent resident working for an Australian company expanding to the UK.
Do a job that is on the list of eligible occupations.
Be paid at least £42,400 per year or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher.
Activities Allowed With an Expansion Worker Visa:
Work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship.
Study.
Bring your partner and eligible children as dependants.
Engage in voluntary work.
Travel abroad and return to the UK.
Restrictions:
You cannot access most public funds or the State Pension.
Changing jobs is allowed only if you are eligible, and you must update your visa accordingly.
Having a second job is not permitted.
Applying for indefinite leave to remain (settling permanently) in the UK is not allowed under this visa category.
Expansion Worker Visa Points Requirement
To qualify for the Expansion Worker visa, all applicants must meet the points requirement, which involves accruing a total of 60 points across three categories, each worth 20 points. The categories are as follows:
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Meeting the points requirement is one part of the eligibility criteria for the Expansion Worker visa.
How to Apply for an Expansion Worker Visa?
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Duration of Stay
You can stay in the UK with an Expansion Worker visa for:
12 months after the start date of the job on your certificate of sponsorship, or
The time given on your certificate plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
You can extend the visa for an additional 12 months, with a total maximum stay of 2 years.
If you’ve previously spent time in the UK on certain visas, you may be subject to a 5-year cap within any 6-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Extend Your Expansion Worker Visa?
- Apply online via Gov.uk.
You must:
- Have the same job and occupation code.
- Work for the same employer.
- Not have exceeded 2 years in total.
- Must apply from inside the UK.
- Leaving the UK while your application is in process will result in automatic withdrawal.
- Processing time: up to 8 weeks.
You must:
- Have the same job and occupation code.
- Work for the same employer.
- Not have exceeded 2 years in total.
- Must apply from inside the UK.
- Leaving the UK while your application is in process will result in automatic withdrawal.
- Processing time: up to 8 weeks.
How can I Switch to an Expansion Worker Visa?
1. You can switch if you're already in the UK on another visa, unless it's a:
- Visit visa
- Short-term student visa
- Parent of a Child Student visa
- Seasonal worker visa
- Domestic worker visa
- Immigration bail
2. Must leave and apply from abroad if on one of the above.
3. If switching from a Student visa, specific course completion conditions apply.
4.Decision time: usually within 8 weeks.
- Visit visa
- Short-term student visa
- Parent of a Child Student visa
- Seasonal worker visa
- Domestic worker visa
- Immigration bail
2. Must leave and apply from abroad if on one of the above.
3. If switching from a Student visa, specific course completion conditions apply.
4.Decision time: usually within 8 weeks.
How can I Update my Expansion Worker Visa Due to Job Change?
- Apply online via Gov.uk.
- Must remain with the same employer.
- New job must meet eligibility and require a new certificate of sponsorship.
- Apply up to 3 months before the new job's start date.
- Can keep working your current job while waiting.
- Must not start new job until approval.
- Decision time: up to 8 weeks.
- Must remain with the same employer.
- New job must meet eligibility and require a new certificate of sponsorship.
- Apply up to 3 months before the new job's start date.
- Can keep working your current job while waiting.
- Must not start new job until approval.
- Decision time: up to 8 weeks.
How to apply for my Dependent - Outside the UK?
- Dependents must apply online separately.
- Must pay individual application fees.
- Use the main applicant’s application reference.
- Identity must be verified via visa application center or 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app.
- Decision time: usually within 3 weeks.
- Must pay individual application fees.
- Use the main applicant’s application reference.
- Identity must be verified via visa application center or 'UK Immigration: ID Check' app.
- Decision time: usually within 3 weeks.
How to apply for my Dependent - Inside the UK?
- Apply online separately or at the same time as the main applicant.
- Include children who turned 18 during the stay.
- Must check eligibility to switch.
- Identity verification as above.
- Decision time: up to 8 weeks.
- Include children who turned 18 during the stay.
- Must check eligibility to switch.
- Identity verification as above.
- Decision time: up to 8 weeks.
How PLS Can Assist?
The UK Expansion Worker route is part of the Global Business Mobility routes. If you’re looking to establish a UK presence, professional support is vital.
PLS (Push Legal Services) Offers:
Comprehensive Legal Advice: Full legal guidance for businesses and individuals.
End-to-End Expansion Support: From obtaining UK sponsor status to securing visas.
Business Immigration Advice: Ensuring full legal compliance.
Support Across Routes: Including Skilled Worker visas and company setup.
Dedicated Immigration Team: Providing tailored, client-focused solutions.
Contact PLS: Call 0333 0124 253 or reach us online for assistance.
Whether you're applying for the Expansion Worker visa or exploring other UK business immigration options, PLS is ready to guide you every step of the way.
PLS (Push Legal Services) Offers:
Comprehensive Legal Advice: Full legal guidance for businesses and individuals.
End-to-End Expansion Support: From obtaining UK sponsor status to securing visas.
Business Immigration Advice: Ensuring full legal compliance.
Support Across Routes: Including Skilled Worker visas and company setup.
Dedicated Immigration Team: Providing tailored, client-focused solutions.
Contact PLS: Call 0333 0124 253 or reach us online for assistance.
Whether you're applying for the Expansion Worker visa or exploring other UK business immigration options, PLS is ready to guide you every step of the way.