UK Expansion Worker
If you work for an overseas business, the UK expansion worker visa allows you to come to the UK on a temporary basis to set up a branch. You must already be employed by the business in a specific capacity. You can normally stay in the UK for around 12 months, with the possibility of extending.
What you can do
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Work for your sponsor in the UK for 12 months
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Bring your dependants
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Extend your visa
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Switch to different visa
What you can't do
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Receive public funds
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Work in any role other than that which your sponsor has assigned to you
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Settle in the UK
Requirements
Valid Passport
Existing Employment
Not Currently Trading
Current Immigration Status
UK Expansion Worker Licence
Certificate of Sponsorship
Genuine Job
English Language
Finances
You must have a valid passport to apply.
You must already be employed by the overseas business as a senior manager or specialist employee.
If your overseas employer is already trading in the UK, you cannot apply under the UK expansion worker route. The senior or specialist worker route may be a suitable alternative.
You cannot switch to the UK expansion worker if you currently hold any of the following visas:
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Visitor
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Short-term student
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Parent of a child student
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Seasonal worker
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Domestic worker in a private household
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Leave outside the Immigration Rules
Your sponsor will need a UK expansion worker sponsor licence with an A-rating in order to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
You must have a valid CoS confirming key details including your job, occupation code, salary, and start date.
The job you are coming to the UK to undertake must not have been created mainly for you to be able to apply for this visa.
There is no English language requirement for this route.
Unless you have already been in the UK for 12 months or longer, you will need to show you have at least £1,270 held in your account for the 28 days prior to making the application.
Additional
You may require a tuberculosis test depending on which country you are applying from. You could also be required to provide a criminal record certificate.
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The current application fee for a UK expansion worker visa
is £298. You will also have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge which is £1,035 per year.
Term & Fees
You can stay in the UK for 12 months after the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship or the end date of your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days, whichever is shorter.
Processing
The current processing time for the UK expansion worker visa is approximately 3 weeks for applications made from outside the UK or 8 weeks for applications from inside the UK. You may be able to get a faster decision by paying for an enhanced service.
Outcome
If your application for a UK expansion worker visa is successful, you will receive a new biometric residence permit confirming the length and conditions of your permission to remain in the United Kingdom.
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If your application for an UK expansion worker visa is refused, you will receive a refusal letter outlining the reasons. You may consider applying for an administrative review if you believe an incorrect decision has been made based on a casework error. Alternatively, a fresh application may be more appropriate.