UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker route allows an eligible senior manager or specialist employee of an overseas business to come to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary. The UK business must not yet have started trading and must satisfy the relevant sponsorship requirements.
Who This Visa Is For
You may qualify for this visa category if you are:
Overseas businesses that have not yet established an active, trading presence in the UK and want to send a senior employee to set one up
Senior managers or specialists being assigned by their overseas employer specifically to lead UK market entry
Businesses that have already used this route and are now extending it while establishing full trading operations
Companies planning their longer-term UK structure, including the eventual switch to the Senior or Specialist Worker route once trading begins
Key Facts
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Eligibility: The worker must be a senior manager or specialist employee of the overseas business, with valid sponsorship for an eligible job and the required salary. Overseas employment and financial requirements must also be assessed.
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Duration: Permission is temporary. An initial grant can be up to 12 months, subject to the Certificate of Sponsorship dates, with an extension up to the route’s two-year maximum. Previous relevant immigration permission may affect the permitted period.
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Settlement: This route does not lead directly to indefinite leave to remain.
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Dependants: Eligible partners and children may apply under the relevant dependant rules.
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Costs: Application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge are separate from professional fees. Use the calculator in the header and confirm the official charges before applying.
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Our service: We assess scope and competence before accepting instructions. Complex matters requiring legal representations beyond our authorisation are referred to an appropriately authorised provider.