The UK Expansion Worker route allows overseas businesses to send senior managers or specialist employees to the UK on temporary assignments to help expand their business.

Eligibility criteria:

• The role must be at RQF Level 6 or above.
• The salary must be at least £42,400 or meet the going rate for the role.
• A certificate of sponsorship must be issued within 3 months before applying.
• The sponsor must be authorised by the Home Office.
• The applicant must have worked for the sponsor group for at least 12 months outside the UK (unless earning £73,900+ or a Japanese national under the UK-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement).
• The applicant must meet the financial requirement of having £1,270 or have lived in the UK for at least 12 months.

The visa will be valid for the shortest of the following:

• The job’s end date plus 14 days.
• One year from the job’s start date.
• Two years of continuous permission as a UK Expansion Worker.
• Five years in any six-year period across Global Business Mobility routes.

This route does not lead to settlement.

Some applicants, like visitors or short-term students, cannot switch to this route, but switching to another route may be possible if criteria are met.

There are further requirements, some of which may apply depending on your circumstances.

Please get in touch for our advice in obtaining a UK Expansion Worker Visa, we will be happy to help.