UK Expansion Worker Visa: The Complete Guide by Sahin Legal Consultancy
Expanding your business into the UK is a significant step towards global growth and market penetration. If your company is established overseas but looking to send senior employees to set up a UK branch or subsidiary, the UK Expansion Worker Visa (part of the Global Business Mobility route) is the visa you need.
This visa replaces the old Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa and comes with new sponsorship requirements and compliance obligations. If you’re unsure how to navigate the process, this guide—written by Sahin Legal Consultancy—will ensure you understand every step and avoid common pitfalls.
1️⃣ What is the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
The UK Expansion Worker Visa allows overseas businesses to send senior managers or specialists to establish a UK presence before the company starts trading.
Unlike the old Sole Representative visa, the UK Expansion Worker Visa requires sponsorship, meaning your UK branch must first apply for a Sponsor Licence before you can send employees to the UK.
📌 Key Points:
✔ This visa is for senior employees of a foreign company expanding into the UK.
✔ The UK company must hold a Sponsor Licence before sponsoring employees.
✔ No English language test is required.
✔ The visa does NOT lead directly to settlement (ILR) but can be switched to a Skilled Worker visa later.
✔ The maximum stay is 2 years (initial 1 year, extendable by another year).
2️⃣ Who Can Apply for the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
To qualify, both the overseas business and the employee being transferred must meet specific eligibility requirements.
✅ The UK Business Must:
✔ Have been actively trading overseas for at least three years.
✔ Not yet be trading in the UK, though it may have a registered UK entity.
✔ Apply for and hold a Sponsor Licence under the Expansion Worker route.
✔ Show a credible expansion plan with business premises in the UK.
✅ The Employee Must:
✔ Have been employed by the overseas company for at least 12 months (unless earning £73,900+ per year).
✔ Hold a senior managerial or specialist position that is eligible under the Skilled Worker occupation list.
✔ Be paid at least £42,400 per year or the going rate for their occupation.
✔ Have at least £1,270 in personal savings (unless the sponsor covers maintenance).
📌 Exception: Japanese nationals transferring under a UK-Japan trade agreement do not need to meet the 12-month employment rule.
3️⃣ Sponsoring a UK Expansion Worker: How to Get a Sponsor Licence
The biggest difference between the old Sole Representative Visa and the new UK Expansion Worker Visa is the Sponsor Licence requirement.
🔹 How to Get a Sponsor Licence for a UK Expansion Worker?
1️⃣ Register a UK Entity: Your business needs a UK branch or subsidiary (even if it's not trading yet).
2️⃣ Prepare Required Documents: You must submit evidence of:
- Overseas company trading history (at least 3 years).
- Proof of UK presence (business premises, company registration).
- A credible expansion plan (explaining why a UK office is needed).
3️⃣ Submit Sponsor Licence Application: Apply online and pay the £536 application fee.
4️⃣ Await Home Office Decision: The Home Office will assess your genuine business need and may conduct a compliance visit.
5️⃣ Issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Once approved, you can assign a CoS to the employee, allowing them to apply for a visa.
📌 Key Point: The UK branch is expected to start trading within 2 years; otherwise, the Sponsor Licence may be revoked.
4️⃣ UK Expansion Worker Visa Application Process
Once your UK company has a Sponsor Licence, the next step is for the employee to apply for a visa.
Step 1: Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
✔ The UK company assigns the employee a CoS, confirming their role, salary, and job details.
Step 2: Complete the Online Visa Application
✔ The employee applies via the GOV.UK website and submits required documents.
Step 3: Pay the Visa Fee & Health Surcharge
✔ Visa Fee: £298
✔ Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per year
Step 4: Attend a Biometrics Appointment
✔ The employee submits fingerprints and a photograph at a UK visa application centre.
Step 5: Receive a Decision
✔ Processing time: 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside UK).
✔ The employee receives a visa vignette (entry clearance) to travel to the UK.
📌 Priority processing is available for an extra fee, reducing wait times.
5️⃣ What Can You Do on a UK Expansion Worker Visa?
✔ Work full-time in the UK only in the sponsored role.
✔ Bring family members (spouse & children) under a dependent visa.
✔ Travel freely in and out of the UK.
❌ You CANNOT:
🚫 Apply for public benefits.
🚫 Switch employers without a new visa.
🚫 Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) directly under this visa.
📌 However, you CAN switch to a Skilled Worker visa later, which leads to settlement.
6️⃣ Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
🔴 Failure to Get a Sponsor Licence
💡 Solution: The UK branch must apply for a licence before sending an employee. Work with immigration specialists like Sahin Legal Consultancy to ensure compliance.
🔴 Insufficient Business Evidence
💡 Solution: Provide detailed proof of overseas trading, UK expansion plans, and business premises to avoid refusals.
🔴 Visa Refusals Due to Employment Gaps
💡 Solution: Ensure the employee meets the 12-month employment rule (unless earning £73,900+).
🔴 UK Expansion Worker Status Expiring
💡 Solution: If the employee wants to stay long-term, they should switch to a Skilled Worker visa before the 2-year limit.
7️⃣ Why Work with Sahin Legal Consultancy?
At Sahin Legal Consultancy, we understand that expanding into the UK is a major investment. The visa process can be complex, and small mistakes can lead to delays, refusals, or even sponsorship revocation.
✔ Expert Sponsor Licence Applications – We assist your UK entity in securing a licence.
✔ Business Compliance Guidance – Ensuring your company meets Home Office standards.
✔ Visa & Expansion Strategy – Helping you transition employees smoothly into the UK market.
✔ Handling Refusals & Appeals – Expert legal support if your application is refused.
📩 Ready to expand your business into the UK? Contact Sahin Legal Consultancy today for tailored guidance on the UK Expansion Worker Visa! 🚀
