The Expansion Worker Visa
The Expansion Worker visa is a new immigration route that was introduced in April 2022. It is designed to help established overseas businesses expand into the UK by allowing them to bring their senior managers and specialist employees to the country for up to five years.
To be eligible for the Expansion Worker visa, your business must meet the following criteria:
It must be an established overseas business that has been trading for at least 12 months.
It must have a genuine intention to establish a branch or subsidiary in the UK that will create jobs and contribute to the UK economy.
It must have a certificate of sponsorship from the UK branch or subsidiary.
The Expansion Worker visa holder must also meet the following criteria:
They must be a senior manager or specialist employee of the overseas business.
They must have been employed by the overseas business for at least 12 months.
They must be paid a minimum salary of £35,800 per year.
The Expansion Worker visa is a valuable tool for established overseas businesses that are looking to expand into the UK. It allows businesses to bring their key personnel to the country quickly and easily, without having to go through the complex and time-consuming process of applying for a work permit.
Here are some of the benefits of using the Expansion Worker visa to expand your business into the UK:
It is a relatively quick and easy process to apply for and obtain the visa.
The visa holder is allowed to bring their spouse or partner and dependent children to the UK with them.
The visa holder is allowed to work full-time for the UK branch or subsidiary of the overseas business.
The visa holder is allowed to travel freely in and out of the UK.
If you are an established overseas business that is looking to expand into the UK, the Expansion Worker visa is a good option to consider. It is a flexible and cost-effective way to bring your key personnel to the country and get your business off the ground.
How to apply for the Expansion Worker visa
To apply for the Expansion Worker visa, the overseas business must first obtain a certificate of sponsorship from the UK branch or subsidiary. This can be done by applying ONLINE through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) website.
Once the certificate of sponsorship has been obtained, the employee can apply for the visa online through the UKVI website. The application fee is £259.
The applicant will need to provide the following documents in support of their application:
A valid passport
A copy of their certificate of sponsorship
Evidence of their employment with the overseas business
Evidence of their salary
Evidence of their qualifications and experience
A criminal record check
The processing time for the Expansion Worker visa is typically 2-3 weeks.
If you have any questions about the Expansion Worker visa or the application process, or need us to help you with the application, please book a consultation with us by clicking HERE
