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. 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 The specific eligibility depends on 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) How to apply You must apply online. How you apply depends on whether you’re: outside the UK and are coming to the UK inside the UK and extending your current visa inside the UK and switching from a different visa Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. How much it costs You, your partner or children will each need to: pay the application fee pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay prove you have enough personal savings Check how much it costs . How long it takes You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship. As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents. You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application. Getting a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within: 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . What you can and cannot do 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’) If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with this visa.

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 Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work. If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused. Getting a certificate of sponsorship Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ with information about the role you will do in the UK. It’s an electronic record, not a paper document. You’ll need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship. If your employer is not currently approved to sponsor people to work in the UK, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they’re eligible. How long you need to have worked for your employer outside the UK You must have worked for your employer outside of the UK for at least 12 months unless you meet one of the following criteria: you’re earning over £73,900 you’re a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK you’re a national or permanent resident of Australia doing work for an Australian company that is expanding to the UK Check if your job is eligible Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. You can get this from your employer or your certificate of sponsorship. When you know your occupation code, view the table of eligible jobs to see if it’s included. Salary requirements You must be paid at least £48,500 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your job - whichever is higher. Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table .

When you apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa, you’ll need to have enough money to: pay the £298 application fee pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually £1,035 per year support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you’ll usually need to have at least £1,270 available (unless you’re exempt) You’ll be told how much you need to pay when you apply. Healthcare surcharge TO: You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay - this is usually £1,035 per year. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply . Money to support yourself You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK. You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply. You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply , unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more. Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they’re in the UK. Check how much they’ll need . Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

Documents you’ll need to apply

When you apply you’ll need to provide: your certificate of sponsorship reference number - your employer will give you this a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality your job title and annual salary your job’s occupation code the name of your employer and their sponsor licence number - this will be on your certificate of sponsorship evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK , for example bank statements proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a listed country Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one. If you’re the authorising officer for your organisation, your certificate will be in the sponsor management system. Other documents you might need Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide: evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre. You’ll be told if you need to do this when you apply. If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation . Evidence you’ve worked for your employer outside the UK After you apply you might be asked to show you’ve worked for your employer for 12 months. You will not have to show this if you meet any of the following criteria: you’re earning over £73,900 you’re a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK you’re a national or permanent resident of Australia doing work for an Australian company that is expanding to the UK If you’re asked, you’ll need to show you’ve been paid by your employer over this time period. You can provide: printed payslips online payslips supported by a letter from your sponsor signed by a senior staff member bank or building society statements a building society pass book

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a UK Expansion Worker visa. Check which documents you’ll need to apply . Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. If you do need an appointment: the visa application centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application you may have to travel to get to your nearest centre (this could be in another country) Apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

You can apply to extend your UK Expansion Worker visa if all the following are true: you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK you’re still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship you have not reached the maximum total stay Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. You must be in the UK to extend your visa. If your job changes You’ll need to apply to update your visa instead. Fees Check how much it costs for your type of visa. Providing biometric information and supporting documents As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply to extend your UK Expansion Worker visa You must apply online before your current visa expires. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) . You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

Update your visa if your job changes

You’ll need to apply to update your UK Expansion Worker visa if your job changes to a different occupation code. You must still have the same employer. Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. Fees Check how much it costs for your type of visa. You’ll also need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken. There’s no fee for this. Eligibility and documents you’ll need to apply Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements and you’ll need a new certificate of sponsorship. You’ll only need to provide other evidence again if you’ve been in the UK for less than one year. When to apply to update your visa You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job. You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered - as long as you apply before your current visa expires. You should not start your new job until you’ve got confirmation of your new permission. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point You’ll be told how to do this when you apply. You’ll also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to. Apply to update your UK Expansion Worker visa You must apply online. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a UK Expansion Worker visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements . Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Switching from a Student visa If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must meet the eligibility requirements and one of the following must apply: you have completed the course you were sponsored to study your job start date is after your course has finished you have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months Who cannot apply to switch You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you’re currently in the UK: on a visit visa on a short-term student visa on a Parent of a Child Student visa on a seasonal worker visa on a domestic worker in a private household visa on immigration bail because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds You must leave the UK and apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa from abroad if you’re in one of these categories. Fees Check how much it costs . Proving your identity and providing supporting documents As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services ( UKVCAS ) service point You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. Apply to switch to a UK Expansion Worker visa Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Apply now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because: your supporting documents need to be verified you need to attend an interview of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction) You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Overview

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.

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

The specific eligibility depends on 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)

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

outside the UK and are coming to the UK
inside the UK and extending your current visa
inside the UK and switching from a different visa

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

pay the application fee
pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much it costs.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

What you can and cannot do

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’)

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with this visa.

View a printable version of the whole guide

UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Overview

Eligibility

How long you can stay in the UK

How to apply

How much it costs

How long it takes

Getting a decision

What you can and cannot do

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UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Overview

Eligibility

How long you can stay in the UK

How to apply

How much it costs

How long it takes

Getting a decision

What you can and cannot do

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Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK