Visa or Leave to Remain for UK Expansion Worker Sponsor

Immigration Route Designed for High-skilled Workers or Management Talents, no Language, Investment or Start-up Capital Required

What is the UK Expansion Worker Visa?

The UK Expansion Worker Visa, part of the Global Business Mobility route, replaces the previous Representative of an Overseas Business route, allowing senior employees and a maximum of four other employees to move to the UK to establish a branch of the company.

The dependant spouse or partner and children of the expansion worker may also live and work in the UK for up to two years with an Expansion Worker visa (or dependant visa) and exit and re-enter the UK freely.

This route does not lead to UK Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), but the applicant may switch to the Skilled Worker route if the UK business is granted a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence (see https://passportia.org/uk-skilled-worker-sponsor-license.php).

There is no language or investment requirement for the applicant to apply for Entry Clearance/Leave to Remain as a UK Expansion Worker.

UK Expansion Worker Visa applications

A branch or wholly-owned subsidiary of an overseas business with a valid Provisional-rated UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence may employ a non-British citizen from its overseas business who has been granted Entry Clearance or leave to Remain as an Expansion Worker. Once the Provisional rating has been upgraded to an A-rating, the business can then sponsor up to 4 more workers.

To be eligible for the UK Expansion Worker visa, the applicant must:

• have a valid certificate of sponsorship from their employer
• have worked for their employer outside the UK (for at least 12 months except for high earners)
• do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• be paid the minimum eligible salary required for their job

Passportia will:

• assess and advise on the vacancy, job description, terms of employment;
• assess an intended employee;
• provide a letter explaining why the job and employee qualify and the documents needed, timings and expected government fees;
• review documents supplied;
• apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship, if necessary;
• apply for Entry Clearance or Leave to Remain as applicable;
• assist in resolving any issues encountered.

To enquire about quotations – please fill in the Need more information form below. We look forward to hearing from you.