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.
To be eligible for the Expansion Worker visa, you must meet the following criteria:
– 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.
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.
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:
– You must possess a valid certificate of sponsorship issued by your employer, who must be an eligible licensed sponsor.
– Your job must be at an appropriate skill level, and it should have a corresponding eligible occupation code.
It’s important to note that in addition to accumulating a total of 60 points across these categories, you must also satisfy other necessary eligibility requirements to qualify for the Expansion Worker visa. Meeting the points requirement is one aspect of the overall criteria for this visa category.
To apply for an Expansion Worker visa, follow these steps:
– Submit your application through the Gov.uk website.
– Ensure you have been working for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you meet specific exemptions.
– Fill in the application form and upload the necessary supporting documents required for the first-time application.
– Prove your identity either at a visa application centre (providing biometrics) or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document.
– If attending a visa application centre, fingerprints and a photograph will be taken for your biometric residence permit. The centre may retain your passport and documents during processing.
– You will be notified of the identity verification process when you apply.
– Separate application processes exist for extending, switching, or updating the visa due to a job change.
Seeking assistance from a legal professional can simplify the Expansion Worker visa application process. Contact PLS at 0333 0124 253 or online for further guidance.
Duration of Stay:
– You can stay in the UK with an Expansion Worker visa for either 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, but the maximum time you can stay on this visa is 2 years.
– Note: If you’ve spent time in the UK on certain visas, the maximum stay may be affected, allowing a maximum of 5 years in any 6-year period. This applies if you’ve been on visas such as Intra-company Transfer, Graduate Trainee, Senior or Specialist Worker, etc.
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To extend your Expansion Worker visa, follow these steps:
– Submit your extension application through the Gov.uk website.
– You can only extend if:
– You have the same job as when you were initially given permission to enter or stay in the UK.
– Your job is in the same occupation code as when you were initially given permission.
– You are still working for the same employer who issued your current certificate of sponsorship.
– You have not reached the maximum total stay of 2 years.
– You must be inside the UK to apply for an extension.
– If you travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man while your application is being processed, your application will be withdrawn.
– Expansion Worker visa extension applications typically take up to 8 weeks to process.
– You may switch to an Expansion Worker visa if you are already in the UK on another type of visa and meet eligibility requirements.
– You cannot switch to this visa if you are currently in the UK on certain visas like visit visa, short-term student visa, Parent of a Child Student visa, seasonal worker visa, domestic worker in a private household visa, or immigration bail.
– If you fall into the categories mentioned above, you must leave the UK and apply for the visa from abroad.
– If switching from a Student visa, specific conditions apply, such as completing your sponsored course or starting a job after the course completion date.
– Decision on your application is normally expected within 8 weeks.
If your job changes to a different occupation code, follow these steps to update your Expansion Worker visa:
– Apply to update your visa online through the Gov.uk website.
– You must still be working for the same employer to update your visa.
– Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements for the Expansion Worker visa, and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship.
– If you’ve been in the UK for less than one year, provide additional supplementary documents.
– Apply up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.
– You can continue working in your current job while the new application is being considered, as long as you apply before your current visa expires.
– Do not start your new job until you receive confirmation of your new permission.
– Expect a decision on your application within 8 weeks.
– Dependents must submit separate visa applications online through the Gov.uk website.
– Each dependent needs to pay a separate visa application fee.
– Use the application number received during the main applicant’s application (Global Web Form or Unique Application Number).
– Prove identity at a visa application centre or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
– Decision on dependent applications is typically within 3 weeks.
– Dependents submit separate applications on the Gov.uk website.
– Can apply at the same time as the main applicant’s extension or switch, or before their current visa expires.
– Application includes any children who turned 18 during the stay.
– Dependent eligibility for switching depends on their current visa status.
– Use the application number received during the main applicant’s application.
– Prove identity at a visa application centre or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app.
– Decision on dependent applications is usually within 8 weeks.
The UK Expansion Worker route is a part of the Global Business Mobility routes, designed to boost the UK economy by attracting international businesses. If you are a business owner or a senior employee planning to open a new branch in the UK, seeking professional support is crucial.
PLS (Push Legal Services) Can Help
– PLS provides complete and comprehensive legal advice for individuals and businesses aiming to come to the UK.
– Support throughout the entire expansion process, from acquiring approved UK expansion worker sponsor status to obtaining UK Expansion Worker visas for your workforce.
– Expert advice on all aspects of UK business immigration, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
– Support for other Global Business Mobility visa routes and assistance with general immigration needs for your UK company, including Skilled Worker visa applications and Companies House registration.
– A dedicated team of immigration professionals ready to assist you with tailored solutions.
– Reach out to the PLS team for more information on the services provided and how we can help. Call at 0333 0124 253 or contact online.
Whether you’re navigating the Expansion Worker route or exploring other immigration options for your business, PLS is positioned to provide comprehensive support and guidance throughout the process.
