Expert Immigration advice for individuals and businesses.
We pride ourselves on our specialisation in Business and Personal Immigration, offering expert guidance and support to navigate the complexities of immigration law.
Key Service we offer to businesses and corporates:
Key Service we offer to individuals:
Other legal service we offer :
Family law services we offer :
No-Fault Divorce Applications
Inter-Country Child Adoption Matters
Registration of Overseas Child Adoption in the UK
British Citizenship Application for Adopted Child from Overseas
Miscellaneous Family Law Matters
Get in touch with us for your
Immigration Queries and needs.
Join our Newsletter for latest News, Updates & expert advice on UK immigration.
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is part of the Global Business Mobility route, designed specifically for senior managers and specialist employees who are being transferred to the UK to establish a new branch or subsidiary of an overseas business.
This visa enables international companies to expand their operations into the UK by allowing the temporary relocation of key personnel to oversee and manage the initial setup and growth of their UK presence.
To qualify for a UK Expansion Worker Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:
You must be currently employed by an overseas company that is planning to establish a branch or wholly owned subsidiary in the UK.
You must have been employed by the overseas business for at least 12 months,
unless your annual salary is £73,900 or more, in which case the 12-month requirement is waived.
You must have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by a UK-licensed sponsor that is approved under the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route.
You must show you have enough personal funds to support yourself during your stay in the UK, unless your sponsor has certified on your CoS that they will cover your costs.
Your sponsored role must:
Be a genuine vacancy in the UK
Be a senior or specialist position
Meet the Home Office’s skill and salary thresholds
Before applying for the UK Expansion Worker Visa, the overseas business must first obtain a Sponsor Licence under the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker route. This licence is essential, as it authorises the company to sponsor senior managers or specialist employees to establish a presence in the UK.
No Existing UK Trading Presence
The business must not already be trading in the UK at the time of applying for the licence.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Eligibility
Once licensed, the business can issue Certificates of Sponsorship to qualifying employees, which are required for their visa applications.
Mandatory Requirement
Without a valid Sponsor Licence, a UK Expansion Worker Visa cannot be issued.
Securing a Sponsor Licence is a crucial first step in the process. It involves meeting specific eligibility criteria, submitting the required documentation, and complying with Home Office sponsorship obligations.
The UK Expansion Worker Visa allows you to stay in the UK for:
1 year from the start date of your job as stated on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or
12 months from the date you enter the UK
—whichever is shorter.
You may apply to extend your visa for an additional 12 months, subject to meeting eligibility requirements. However, the maximum total stay allowed under this visa route is 2 years.
As a UK Expansion Worker visa holder, you are permitted to bring your dependents to the UK. Eligible family members include:
Your spouse or unmarried partner
Children under the age of 18
Children over 18 who are already in the UK as your dependents
Each dependent must:
Apply separately for a Dependent Visa, and
Meet the financial requirements set by the Home Office, demonstrating they can be supported without access to public funds.
No, you cannot switch to or from the UK Expansion Worker Visa while inside the UK.
This visa category does not allow in-country switching, whether you are changing to it or moving to a different visa type.
If you wish to change your immigration status, you must:
Leave the UK, and
Submit a new visa application from outside the country.
The UK Expansion Worker Visa does not provide a direct route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or permanent residency in the UK.
If your long-term goal is to settle permanently in the UK, you will need to:
Switch to a Settlement-Eligible Visa
Apply to change your immigration status to a visa route that leads to ILR, such as the:
Skilled Worker Visa
Innovator Founder Visa
Or another eligible visa category.
Meet the ILR Requirements
Fulfill the residency period, continuous lawful stay, and any other eligibility criteria of the new visa route before submitting your ILR application.
To apply for the UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your initial stay in the UK. This requirement can be met in one of two ways:
You must demonstrate that you have at least £1,270 in personal savings.
These funds must have been held continuously for 28 consecutive days.
The 28-day period must end no more than 31 days before the date of your visa application.
Alternatively, your UK sponsor can confirm in your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) that they will cover your maintenance costs.
This guarantee must state that the sponsor will provide up to £1,270 to support you during your first month in the UK.
When applying for the UK Expansion Worker Visa, you must submit the following documents to support your application:
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
A valid CoS issued by your UK sponsor, confirming your job offer and outlining key details of your role.
Employment History
Evidence showing you have been employed by the overseas business for at least 12 months, such as payslips or employment contracts (this requirement may be waived if your UK salary meets the exemption threshold).
Financial Evidence
Proof that you meet the financial requirement in one of the following ways:
Personal savings of at least £1,270, held for a minimum of 28 days, or
A written confirmation from your sponsor stating they will cover your costs for the first month in the UK.
Valid Passport or Travel Document
A current, valid passport or equivalent travel document to confirm your identity and nationality.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test Results (if applicable)
If you are applying from a country where TB testing is required, you must provide a valid TB test certificate.
Proof of Relationship (for Dependents)
If your spouse, partner, or children are applying with you, include documents that prove your relationship—such as a marriage certificate or birth certificates.
Certified Translations
Any documents not in English or Welsh must be submitted with an official certified translation.
Under the UK Expansion Worker Visa, you are only authorized to work for the employer named on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). However, there are limited exceptions:
You may participate in voluntary or unpaid work, provided it does not conflict with your main sponsored role or working hours.
