UK Expansion Worker Visa

What is the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

The UK Expansion Worker Visa is part of the Global Business Mobility program, designed for overseas businesses to establish a presence in the UK. It allows senior managers or specialist employees to come to the UK to set up a branch or subsidiary of their company.

Eligibility and Requirements

To qualify, applicants must:

1. • Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from an approved UK employer.
   • Have worked for the employer outside the UK
   • You must have worked for your employer outside the UK for at least 12 months, unless you meet one of the following criteria:
     1. Earning over £73,900.
     2. Being a Japanese national working for a Japanese company expanding to the UK.
     3. Being a national or permanent resident of Australia working for an Australian company expanding to the UK.
        
        

• • Occupy a role on the list of eligible occupations.
    
    In order to make a successful Expansion Worker visa application, you will need to ensure your job is on the Home Office’s list of eligible occupations. To verify this, you will need your standard occupation code (SOC) from your employer and check this is on the list of eligible occupations.

Meet the minimum salary requirement:

The minimum salary for the Expansion Worker Visa is £42,400 or the ‘going rate’ for the job role, whichever is higher.

1. 1. 1. Starting from 12 April 2023, the minimum salary will increase to £45,800.
      2. The salary calculation includes basic pay and any additional guaranteed allowances.
      3. The ‘going rate’ represents the average annual gross salary for your specific job role in the UK.
      4. You can find the list of going rates on the Home Office website.

Sponsorship and Licence Requirements

1. The UK Expansion Worker route is for employees of overseas businesses that haven’t yet started trading in the UK.
2. If an overseas employer wants to send a senior or specialist employee to the UK for a temporary work assignment in an existing UK business, they should apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
3. Sponsors must hold a valid licence for UK Expansion Workers and meet skill and salary requirements.
4. To apply for a licence, sponsors need a UK ‘footprint’ (evidence of UK business premises or registration with Companies House) and proof of overseas trading presence.
5. The licence rating depends on whether the Authorising Officer (AO) is based in the UK or overseas.
6. The licence is valid for 4 years, but the overseas business must establish a full trading presence within 2 years.
7. Failure to do so can result in reduced CoS allocation or licence revocation. 

Benefits of the UK Expansion Worker Visa:

1. Work for your sponsor in the job listed on your sponsorship study certificate.
2. Bring your spouse and children as dependents.
3. Engage in volunteer work.
4. Travel in and out of the UK.

Limitations of the UK Expansion Worker Visa:

1. No access to State Pension or other public funds.
2. Cannot change jobs unless you update your visa.
3. Cannot work simultaneously in another job.
4. No right to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Required Documents for the Expansion Worker Visa:

1. Certificate of sponsorship reference number.
2. Valid passport with a blank page.
3. Work contract or offer specifying job title and annual salary.
4. Occupation code for your job.
5. Employer’s details such as name and sponsor license number.
6. Bank statements showing sufficient savings to support yourself in the UK.
7. Proof of relationship with dependents (if applicable).
8. Tuberculosis test results (if from a listed country).
9. Evidence of previous work with your employer outside the UK:
• Printed payslips.
• Bank or building society statements.
• Building society passbook.
• Online payslips with a letter from your employer signed by a senior staff member.
10. Valid ATAS certificate (if your job involves sensitive subject research).

Remember to submit a certified translation if your documents are not in Welsh or English.

Visa Extension and Settlement

• You can extend your Expansion Worker visa for an additional 12 months, up to a maximum total stay of 2 years.
• To successfully apply for an extension, you must demonstrate that you are still in the same position you held when you last applied for the Expansion Worker Visa (i.e., the same occupation code and employer).

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirements

• Your employer (also known as your sponsor) will provide you with an electronic ‘certificate of sponsorship’ containing details about your role in the UK.
• This certificate serves as an official record; it’s not a paper document.
• To apply for your visa, you’ll need the reference number from your certificate of sponsorship.
• Remember to submit your visa application within 3 months of receiving the certificate.
• If your employer isn’t currently approved to sponsor workers in the UK, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Family Reunification

Dependent Family Members on the Expansion Worker Visa:

• As an Expansion Worker visa holder, you can bring your dependent family members with you to the UK.
• Your dependent family members include:
• Husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner (note: if unmarried, you must show a relationship of at least 2 years).
• Children under the age of 18.
• Dependent children over 18 who are not living independently.
• If your family members apply from outside the UK, they should submit their own application form as your partner or child.
• Each family member’s application should include the unique reference number from your Expansion Worker visa application.
• Dependents must prove their identity, pay the necessary application fees, and submit any requested evidence.

Step by Step Process

1. Secure a job offer from a UK sponsor
2. Obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship
3. Gather necessary documents
4. Apply for the visa online
5. Pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge
6. Attend an appointment for biometrics
7. Wait for a decision

Cost/ Financial Requirements for the UK Expansion Worker Visa

 
When applying for a UK Expansion Worker visa, it’s essential to ensure you meet the financial obligations. Here’s what you need to consider:

1. Application Fee: £298
• You’ll be required to pay an application fee of £298 when submitting your visa application.
2. Healthcare Surcharge: Approximately £1,035 per Year
• As part of the visa process, you’ll need to pay the healthcare surcharge. This fee covers access to the National Health Service (NHS) during your stay in the UK. The exact amount may vary, so be sure to check the latest guidelines.
3. Maintenance Funds: At Least £1,270 (Unless Exempt)
• Upon your arrival in the UK, you should have sufficient funds to support yourself. The minimum requirement is usually £1,270. However, some exemptions apply, so it’s essential to verify your specific situation.

Remember that the exact amounts and any exemptions will be communicated to you during the application process. Be prepared and ensure you meet these financial criteria to make your UK Expansion Worker visa application successful.

Duration of the UK Expansion Worker Visa:

• If your application for a UK Expansion Worker visa is successful, you’ll be granted leave for the shorter of:
• 12 months after the start date of the job specified on the sponsorship certificate.
• 14 days after the end date of that job.
• If you wish to stay longer in the UK, you can extend your visa, but only by 12 months.
• The maximum total time an individual can stay in the UK on a UK Expansion Worker visa is 2 years.

Why Choose Welkin Migration?

At Welkin Migration, we specialize in UK immigration services. Our experienced team ensures a smooth visa application process, personalized guidance, and compliance with all requirements. Choose us for your UK Expansion Worker Visa journey!

Feel free to reach out to us for a detailed step-by-step process, cost breakdown, and any other queries you may have. We’re here to make your UK business expansion a success