Introduction
The United Kingdom continues to attract global professionals and enterprises seeking growth, innovation, and new opportunities. Two of the most significant immigration routes for overseas employers and skilled individuals are the GBM-Expansion Worker Visa and the Skilled Worker Visa. Although both allow foreign nationals to live and work in the UK under sponsorship, their purposes, structures, and long-term outcomes are markedly different. Therefore, understanding these nuances is essential before making strategic immigration or business decisions.
Overview of the GBM-Expansion Worker Visa
Purpose of the Route
The GBM-Expansion Worker Visa forms part of the Global Business Mobility routes and is designed for overseas businesses establishing their first presence in the UK. It enables key personnel – typically senior managers or specialist employees – to relocate and set up the UK branch or subsidiary of their international organisation. Consequently, this visa effectively bridges the gap between foreign operations and UK market entry.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must already be employed by the overseas business and hold a key role in its operations. They are sent to the UK to support the company’s expansion project.
Importantly, the UK branch must not be actively trading at the time of application. This ensures the visa is used genuinely for new market entry rather than expanding existing operations.
Key Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed sponsor, work in an eligible occupation, and earn the required salary. Although there is no English language requirement, sufficient maintenance funds must be demonstrated unless exempt.
In most cases, the visa is valid for up to 12 months and can be extended once — allowing a total stay of up to two years.
Overview of the Skilled Worker Visa
Aim of the Route
The Skilled Worker Visa is the primary route for overseas nationals seeking employment in the UK with a licensed sponsor. It replaced the previous Tier 2 (General) Visa and facilitates recruitment for skilled roles across a broad range of industries, from healthcare and technology to engineering and education.
Main Applicant Requirements
Applicants must have a genuine job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor, work in an eligible occupation, and meet the minimum salary threshold. They must also demonstrate English language proficiency at level B1 (Note: This will rise to B2 for new applications from January 8, 2026) or higher and provide evidence of sufficient maintenance funds if required.
Role of Sponsorship
Under this visa, the UK employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship confirming the applicant’s role, salary, and eligibility. The sponsor carries significant compliance duties, including maintaining records, monitoring the employee’s immigration status, and reporting changes to the Home Office.
Eligibility Comparison
Employment Link and Sponsor Obligations
The GBM-Expansion Worker Visa requires an existing employment relationship with an overseas company — the applicant must have worked for that employer outside the UK for a minimum period before applying. The Skilled Worker Visa, by contrast, allows recruitment of new employees directly into the UK business, even if they have not worked for the company before.
Skill Level and Occupation Requirements
Both visas require the job to be at or above a specified skill level, typically RQF Level 6 for GBM-Expansion Worker roles and RQF Level 6 or higher for Skilled Worker roles. The minimum skill level for Skilled Worker roles was raised from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6 in July 2025, though exceptions exist for certain roles on the Immigration Salary List. However, the Expansion route focuses more on managerial or specialist positions essential to business setup, whereas the Skilled Worker Visa covers a broader range of professions.
Salary Thresholds
For the GBM-Expansion Worker Visa, the general salary requirement is at least £48,500 per year or the “going rate” for the occupation, whichever is higher. For Skilled Workers, the minimum salary requirement (as of July 2025) is £41,700 or the applicable occupation rate, whichever is higher, though exceptions exist for roles on the Immigration Salary List or Health and Care roles.
English Language and Financial Requirements
The Skilled Worker route requires proof of English language ability at B1 level, rising to B2 for new applicants from January 8, 2026. The GBM-Expansion Worker route has no such requirement, simplifying applications for short-term transfers. Both routes may require proof of maintenance funds — typically £1,270 — unless the sponsor certifies financial maintenance.
Visa Duration and Extension Differences
The GBM-Expansion Worker Visa is granted for up to 12 months initially and may be extended once, with a total maximum stay of 2 years. Time spent under other Global Business Mobility routes also counts towards a 5-year limit in any 6-year period.
In contrast, the Skilled Worker Visa can be granted for up to 5 years per application and extended indefinitely as long as eligibility continues to be met. This makes it suitable for long-term employment and residence planning.
Settlement Opportunities and Long-Term Residence
The GBM-Expansion Worker route does not lead directly to settlement in the UK. However, after the UK branch is established and starts trading, workers may switch to the Skilled Worker route to begin accruing time toward Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
The Skilled Worker route does lead to settlement after 5 continuous years of lawful residence, provided salary and sponsorship criteria remain satisfied. This distinction makes the Skilled Worker Visa preferable for individuals seeking permanent status in the UK.
Job Flexibility and Mobility Rights
GBM-Expansion Workers are restricted to working for their sponsoring employer in the specific role stated on their certificate. They cannot take up secondary employment or change roles without applying for a new visa.
Skilled Workers enjoy greater flexibility. They may change jobs or employers, provided they obtain a new Certificate of Sponsorship and continue meeting the visa requirements. Dependants of Skilled Workers also enjoy the right to work in most roles across the UK.
Financial Aspects and Fees Comparison
The GBM-Expansion Worker Visa typically carries an application fee of around £319 (as of April 2025), plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at £1,035 per year. Sponsors must also pay the sponsorship and compliance costs associated with maintaining a sponsor licence.
The Skilled Worker Visa application fee ranges from approximately £769 to £1,519 (as of April 2025) depending on visa length and job type, plus the same IHS. Employers hiring under this route must pay the Immigration Skills Charge, which can amount to £1,320 per sponsored worker per year (this is set to increase by 32% in late 2025).
While both visas require significant investment, the Skilled Worker route often proves more economical in the long term due to its path to settlement and long-duration grants.
Business and Individual Suitability: Which Visa Fits Your Case
For expanding enterprises entering the UK market for the first time, the GBM-Expansion Worker Visa is ideal for sending trusted senior personnel to oversee setup and operations.
For individuals seeking stable, long-term employment in the UK, the Skilled Worker Visa offers more security, flexibility, and the ability to settle permanently.
A well-planned immigration strategy may even involve both routes – beginning with GBM-Expansion to establish a UK presence, followed by transition to Skilled Worker status once the UK branch becomes operational.
Recent 2025 Updates Affecting Both Visa Types
In July 2025, the Home Office implemented significant salary and occupation updates:
- The general salary threshold for Skilled Workers rose to £41,700.
- The Global Business Mobility salary baseline increased to £48,500.
- The minimum skill level for Skilled Workers was raised from RQF Level 3 to RQF Level 6 (degree-level).
- The Immigration Salary List replaced the previous Shortage Occupation List, allowing specific exemptions for certain sectors.
- Sponsors are subject to tighter compliance inspections to ensure genuine business activity and worker monitoring.
- The Immigration Skills Charge is set to increase by 32% (expected late 2025).
- The English language requirement for new Skilled Worker applicants is increasing from B1 to B2 (effective January 8, 2026).
These updates reflect the UK’s ongoing effort to prioritise high-skilled migration while preventing misuse of temporary routes for permanent employment.
Summary Table of Key Distinctions
| Feature | GBM-Expansion Worker Visa | Skilled Worker Visa |
| Main Purpose | Establish a UK branch | Long-term skilled employment |
| Eligible Applicants | Senior/specialist employees of overseas firms | Skilled workers hired by UK employers |
| Minimum Skill Level | RQF Level 6 | RQF Level 6 (exceptions for ISL roles) |
| Minimum Salary | £48,500 or going rate | £41,700 or occupation rate |
| English Requirement | Not required | B1 level (rising to B2 Jan 2026) |
| Maximum Stay | 2 years | Up to 5 years (extendable) |
| Settlement Path | No direct path | Eligible after 5 years |
| Dependants | Allowed | Allowed |
| Job Flexibility | Restricted to sponsor role | Can change sponsor/role (with approval) |
| Sponsor Fee | £319 (from April 2025) | £769–£1,519 (from April 2025) |
How Lawsentis Can Assist
Lawsentis provides tailored UK immigration support for both individuals and businesses navigating complex visa routes. Our specialists can:
- Assess your eligibility for GBM-Expansion or Skilled Worker visas
- Guide your business through sponsor licence registration and compliance
- Assist with Certificate of Sponsorship assignments and documentation
- Manage visa switching, extension, and settlement applications
- Advise on strategic immigration planning for long-term success
Whether you are an entrepreneur expanding your business into the UK or a professional pursuing career opportunities, Lawsentis ensures precision, compliance, and confidence at every step of your immigration journey.