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The UK Expansion Worker visa, part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes, is the dedicated immigration pathway for overseas companies that wish to send senior employees or owners to the United Kingdom in order to establish their first branch or subsidiary.
This visa has replaced the older Sole Representative of an Overseas Business route, but with updated requirements, higher salary thresholds, and modern compliance standards. It allows senior managers and specialist employees to temporarily live and work in the UK while laying the foundation for long-term commercial presence.
For ambitious international companies, the Expansion Worker visa is the gateway to the UK market, one of the world’s leading business hubs
You must have been employed by the overseas parent company for at least 12 months prior to the application, unless you are considered a high earner (earning over £73,900) or fall under exceptions set by trade agreements.
You must hold a valid CoS issued by a UK-licensed sponsor under the GBM category.
Your job must be a senior management or specialist role listed in the eligible occupation codes and meet graduate-level skill requirements.
You must earn a minimum of £52,500 per year or the “going rate” for your occupation (whichever is higher).
The overseas company must have been trading successfully for at least 3 years and must not yet have a branch in the UK.
You must show at least £1,270 in savings, unless your sponsor certifies that they will support you for the first month in the UK.
In addition, the sponsoring company may bring in up to 10 employees under the Expansion Worker visa at any one time (increased from 5 under the previous rules).
If the UK branch is already trading, the correct route would be a Senior or Specialist Worker visa or the Skilled Worker visa.
You may bring eligible family members, including:
Each dependant must submit a separate application and pay the visa fee and IHS. They can live, work, and study in the UK for the duration of your visa.
While the Expansion Worker visa itself does not grant permanent residence, it is often used as a stepping stone. Once your branch is established and actively trading, you may be able to:
1 – Switch into a Skilled Worker visa, allowing you to progress towards settlement.
2 – Transition into other routes such as Senior/Specialist Worker or Innovator Founder, depending on your business activity.
3 – Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and ultimately British citizenship through the appropriate settlement routes
At LawSentis, we specialise in supporting businesses and individuals expanding into the UK. Our IAA-regulated advisers provide:
Our team has guided international businesses from Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa through the Expansion Worker process, helping them secure their UK presence quickly and legally.
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
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