UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is a Global Business Mobility route for overseas businesses seeking to establish a trading presence in the UK and transfer senior managers or specialist employees to support the expansion.
Hudson McKenzie advises overseas companies, UK entities and employees on UK Expansion Worker applications, including Sponsor Licences, UK expansion plans, Certificates of Sponsorship, eligible roles, salary requirements and immigration applications.
The UK Expansion Worker route enables an overseas business that has not yet started trading in the UK to send eligible senior managers or specialist employees to establish its UK operations. It forms part of the UK's Global Business Mobility immigration framework and can be relevant where an overseas company intends to establish a UK branch, subsidiary or other qualifying business presence. If the organisation is already actively trading in the UK, another route, such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, may instead be appropriate.
The route involves both an employer sponsorship process and an individual immigration application. The business must satisfy specific requirements relating to its UK footprint, overseas trading history and proposed UK expansion, while the worker must satisfy requirements relating to overseas employment, occupation, sponsorship and salary.
Hudson McKenzie can advise on the immigration strategy for the proposed UK expansion and assist with both the Sponsor Licence and worker application process.
UK Expansion Worker Visa Requirements
Who Can Apply for a UK Expansion Worker Visa?
UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence and Business Plan
Salary, Eligible Occupations and Certificate of Sponsorship
Visa Duration, Family Members and Settlement
How Hudson McKenzie Can Help
Hudson McKenzie advises overseas businesses planning to expand into the UK and transfer senior personnel to establish their UK operations. Our UK immigration lawyers can advise on the UK Expansion Worker route, Sponsor Licence requirements, UK business structure, overseas trading evidence, expansion plans, eligible roles, salary requirements and Certificates of Sponsorship.
We can also assist businesses in considering the wider immigration strategy for their UK expansion, including what may need to happen once the UK operation begins trading and whether routes such as the Senior or Specialist Worker Visa or Skilled Worker Visa may subsequently become relevant.
For a broader overview of immigration options for businesses establishing or operating in the UK, visit our United Kingdom immigration services page.
If your company is preparing to establish a UK presence and transfer key employees from an overseas operation, speak to our UK expansion team about the immigration and sponsorship arrangements required.
