UK EXPANSION WORKER VISA
If you work for an overseas business as a senior manager or specialist employee, 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
-
Set up a UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas company
-
Work for your sponsor's UK branch or subsidiary for 12 months
-
Bring your spouse, partner and/or child
-
Leave the UK and return without issue
-
Extend your visa for another 12 months.
-
Switch to a different visa
-
Study
-
Work in a role different to what is stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
-
Receive public funds (benefits)
-
Apply to settle permanently in the UK
WHAT YOU CAN'T DO
REQUIREMENTS
Valid Passport
-
You must have a passport which is valid at the time you apply.
Current Employment
-
You must already work for the overseas employer as a senior manager or specialist employee for at least 12 months, unless:
-
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.
-
English Language
-
There is no English language requirement for a UK Expansion Worker visa.
Temporary Worker licence
-
Your sponsor must apply for and obtain a Temporary Worker licence on the UK Expansion Worker route to gain the necessary authorisation to sponsor you.
Certificate of Sponsorship
-
Your sponsor must assign a CoS to you before you make your visa application.
Salary
-
Your sponsor must pay you a salary of £48,500 or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher.
Financial Requirements
-
Unless you have already been in the UK for at least 12 months, you must show sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependants joining you in the UK.
-
The current requirement is at least £1,270 in your account for at least 28 consecutive days with the last day being within 31 days of the date of application.
-
If your dependants are joining you, you must show an additional £285 for your partner, £315 for your first child, and £200 for each additional child. Example - You must show £1,870 if you are applying with your wife and child
Additional Requirements
-
You may be required to provide a tuberculosis test depending on which country you are applying from.
You can apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa up to 3 months before the start date on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
The application fee for a UK Expansion Worker visa is currently £319.
You will also have to pay £1,035 per year for the Immigration Health Surcharge.
The same fees apply to any dependants included in your application or who apply to join you at a later date.
TERM AND FEES
PROCESSING
The processing time for UK Expansion Worker applications is approximately 3 weeks for applications made from outside the UK and approximately 8 weeks for applications from within the UK.
You may be eligible to pay for a faster decision by purchasing the priority or super-priority service, depending on availability.
Successful Application
If your application for a UK Expansion Worker visa is successful, you will receive confirmation in your passport and your immigration status will be reflected in your UKVI account.
Application Refused
If your application for a UK Expansion Worker visa is refused, you will receive a refusal letter outlining the reasons. There is no right of appeal, but you may consider applying for an administrative review if you believe an incorrect decision has been made based on a casework error.
An application for administrative review costs £80 and can be made online. It must be made within 28 days of the refusal (if you're outside the UK) or within 14 days (if you're inside the UK).
OUTCOME
NEXT STEP
If you want to remain in the UK beyond your UK Expansion Worker visa, you can extend your visa or apply to switch to a different visa.
HOW WE CAN HELP
UK Expansion Worker visas can be complex, particularly if your employer is unsure about your eligibility as a senior or specialist worker. Mistakes can be costly, time-consuming, and may have a significant impact on the business and future immigration applications to the Home Office. This means it is very important to have experts by your side who can make the process easier and give much needed confidence to make a strong application.
At Lace Law LLP, we offer comprehensive support throughout the Temporary Worker and UK Expansion Worker visa processes. From your initial consultation to the final decision, you will have a dedicated expert who will meticulously prepare your application, maintain regular communication, and promptly respond to any concerns along the way. We pride ourselves on this personal approach, which we feel not only provides a greater experience to you, but also increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Don't let the process be more stressful than it needs to be. Contact us today to have a dedicated partner by your side on your immigration journey.
