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UK Expansion Worker

Jan 22, 2024

The UK is a well sought after location for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their own businesses. Until recently, the UK immigration system did not adequately cater to the needs of international entrepreneurs and investors. The introduction of the UK Expansion Worker Visa has contributed significantly to the UK's goal for global business mobility.

The visa is designed to provide a fast-track route for overseas business owners who wish to expand their existing businesses in the UK. The visa enables eligible applicants to live and work in the UK for up to two years, with the option to switch their Visa for to a skilled worker visa leading to settlement in the UK.

One of the primary objectives of the UK Expansion Worker Visa is to promote global business mobility, to further cement the UK as one of the Global Business capitals.

Business mobility refers to the ability of entrepreneurs and investors to establish and expand their businesses across borders.

A UK Expansion Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet.

You must already work for the overseas business as either a senior manager or specialist employee.

If your business is already trading in the UK, you should apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa instead.

If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.

The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:

  • you have a later deadline - for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
  • you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 - for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse

Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa you need to:

  • have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer
  • have worked for your employer outside the UK
  • do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
  • be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job

How long you can stay in the UK

You can stay in the UK with a UK Expansion Worker visa for whichever is shorter of:

  • 12 months after the start date of the job on your certificate of sponsorship
  • the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days

If you want to stay longer in the UK, you can extend your visa by 12 months. The maximum time you can stay in the UK on a UK Expansion Worker visa is 2 years.

If you’ve spent time in the UK on this or another visa, you might not be able to stay on a UK Expansion Worker visa for as long. You can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period if you’ve spent time on any of these visas:

  • Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
  • Intra-company Transfer visa
  • Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
  • Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
  • Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
  • Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
  • UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility

With a UK Expansion Worker visa you can:

  • work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
  • study
  • bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
  • do voluntary work
  • travel abroad and return to the UK

You cannot:

  • apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
  • change jobs unless you are eligible and you update your visa
  • have a second job
  • apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’

The UK Expansion Worker Visa simplifies cross-border collaborations between UK-based businesses and international entrepreneurs and investors. It also enables entrepreneurs and investors to establish partnerships with UK-based businesses, providing opportunities for knowledge transfer innovation, and development.

This visa sends a clear message to international entrepreneurs and investors that the UK is open for business and is committed to supporting their growth and success. Let us help you become part of the growth, contact us today on Tel: 01403 801801 or Email: [email protected]

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  • Having worked with UK Visas for more than eight years, I cannot recommend their services enough. We have worked with them on a wide variety of immigration topics, including complex licence matters (following acquisitions), day to day sponsorship processes, and reporting; and we have always received an amazing service.

    Members of the team are responsive and come back to our queries quickly, they are always polite, and go out of their way to be as helpful as possible. Thank you to all of the team for the wonderful ongoing support you provide!

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    No query is too big or too small. Always accommodating and helpful. Thank you team!

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    Executive Business Partner to CEO and the Board

  • We have worked with UK Visas for over 10 years, since we initially requested obtaining a Sponsor Licence. From day one, their guidance, communication, professionalism, efficiency and support has been and continues to be exemplary, with no request too much.

    Thank you and we look forward to continuing the relationship.

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    HR Business Partner

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    HR Administrator CVS Vets
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We are regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). Our registration number: F200300183.
Please note we are NOT a UK Government body or agency and have no connection with the UK Government.

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