UK Expansion Worker Visa

The UK Expansion Worker Visa allows you to come to the UK to set up an overseas business branch. To be eligible, you must already work as a senior manager or specialist employee for the overseas business.

With this visa, senior managers or specialist employees can immigrate to UK and live and work for up to 2 years at a time. After 2 years, they can apply for an extension and further - be eligible to apply for UK PR Visa and move to the UK permanently.

Apply for UK Expansion Worker Visa

UK Expansion Worker Visa Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must:

• Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer: Your employer, also known as your sponsor, will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that outlines the job you will be doing in the UK. This is an electronic record, not a physical document. You will need the reference number from this certificate when applying for your visa. Ensure you apply for the UK Expansion Worker Visa within 3 months of receiving the CoS.

• Have worked for your employer outside the UK: You must have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months unless your annual salary is less than £73,900, you are a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK, or you are a national or permanent resident of Australia doing work for an Australian company that is expanding to the UK.

• Do a job that is on the UK Global Business Mobility (GBM) eligible occupation list: Your job must be on the UK GBM eligible occupations list. If you are unsure of your 4-digit occupation code, you can use the CASCOT occupation coding tool to find your job.

• Be paid in minimum eligible salary required for your job: You must usually be paid at least £48,500 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher. Each occupation eligible for the UK Expansion Worker Visa has its own annual going rate.

UK Expansion Worker Visa Documents Required

When applying for the UK Expansion Worker Visa, you will need to provide:

• Your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.
• A valid passport and other identity documents.
• Your job title and annual salary.
• Your job’s 4-digit occupation code.
• Your employer’s name and their sponsor licence number.
• Evidence of funds to support yourself in the UK.
• Proof of relationship with your partner and dependents if they are applying with you.
• Your tuberculosis test results.

Other documents you might need

Depending on your situation you might also be asked to provide:

• Proof that you have worked for your employer outside the UK.
• A police background check certificate.
• An Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher.

If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must provide a certified translation.

How to apply for UK Expansion Worker Visa?

You must apply for UK Expansion Worker Visa online. How you apply depends on whether you are residing:

• Outside the UK.
• Inside the UK and extending your current visa.
• Inside the UK and switching from a different visa.

Your partner and children can also apply with you to stay in the UK as your ‘dependents’ if they are eligible.

Note: The application process for UK Expansion Worker Visa can get a bit complex, especially for first-timers. Seek guidance from the best UK Immigration Consultants in India at Nationwide Visas if you are having trouble.

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UK Expansion Worker Visa Costs

Application costs

The standard application fee for UK Expansion Worker Visa is £298.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to demonstrate your financial ability to support yourself in the UK. These funds must be maintained for a minimum of 28 consecutive days, with the final day falling within 31 days of your visa application. Additionally, your partner and children must also show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the UK. You - or your partner or child - will need:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay in the UK - this is usually £1,035 per year.

UK Expansion Worker Visa Processing Time

The latest UK Visa processing time to apply for the Expansion Worker Visa is 3 weeks if you are outside the UK and 8 weeks if you are applying from inside the UK. You may be able to pay to get super-priority faster service.

You can apply for this visa up to 3 months before starting to work in the UK. The date of your joining is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

UK Expansion Worker Visa Validity

You can stay in the UK with an Expansion Worker Visa for either:

• 12 months after the start date of the job detailed in your CoS.
• The time given on your CoS + 14 days.

If you want to stay longer in the UK, you can apply to extend your visa by 12 months. The maximum total stay allowed for this visa is 2 years.

UK Expansion Worker Visa Extension

You can usually apply for UK Expansion Worker Visa extension and stay in the UK if all of the following are true:

• You are still working for the same employer who granted you your current CoS.
• You have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter the UK.
• Your job is under the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter the UK.
• You have not reached the maximum total stay (5 years).

You must be inside the UK to apply for an extension. Your partner and children will need to submit a separate application if they want to extend their visa.

Need help?

Connect with Nationwide Visas, one of the best UK Immigration Consultants in India. Our team will evaluate your case, offering the best solutions to immigrate to UK under the UK Expansion Worker Visa. Whether you need help with your application, documentation, or finding jobs - we’ve got you covered. Get a free consultation session and determine the best option to apply for your situation.