GBM-Expansion Worker Visa
Expanding your business into the UK
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
who can apply?
To qualify for a UK Expansion Worker visa in 2025, you must meet several conditions:
Employment history:
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS):
You must hold a valid CoS issued by a UK-licensed sponsor under the GBM category.
Role type:
Your job must be a senior management or specialist role listed in the eligible occupation codes and meet graduate-level skill requirements.
Salary:
You must earn a minimum of £48,500 per year or the “going rate” for your occupation (whichever is higher).
Business history:
The overseas company must have been trading successfully for at least 3 years and must not yet have a branch in the UK.
Financial requirement:
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).
what the visa allows
With a UK Expansion Worker visa you can:
- Enter the UK to set up a new branch or subsidiary.
- Work in the role specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Travel freely in and out of the UK during the visa validity.
- Bring your partner and children under 18 as dependants.
However, the visa does not allow you to:
- Access UK public funds or benefits.
- Work outside the role defined on your CoS.
- Apply directly for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
visa length and extensions
- The visa is initially granted for 12 months.
- It may be extended for another 12 months, to a maximum stay of 2 years.
- Time spent on this visa counts towards the maximum 5 years in any 6-year period permitted across all GBM routes.
- While it does not directly lead to settlement, you may later switch into a Skilled Worker visa or other settlement routes once your UK branch is fully operational.
company sponsor requirements
For a business to sponsor an Expansion Worker:
- It must be a wholly owned subsidiary or branch of the overseas parent.
- Once licensed, it can assign Certificates of Sponsorship to eligible employees.
- It must not yet be trading in the UK (this is the key difference from other GBM routes).
- It must apply for and hold a UK sponsor licence specifically authorising it to sponsor Expansion Workers.
If the UK branch is already trading, the correct route would be a Senior or Specialist Worker visa or the Skilled Worker visa.
dependants
You may bring eligible family members, including:
- Your husband, wife, or civil partner.
- Children under 18, or over 18 if already dependants.
- An unmarried partner (with at least two years of cohabitation evidence).
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.
switching and long-term immigration planning
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:
- Switch into a Skilled Worker visa, allowing you to progress towards settlement.
- Transition into other routes such as Senior/Specialist Worker or Innovator Founder, depending on your business activity.
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and ultimately British citizenship through the appropriate settlement routes
how lawSentis can help
At LawSentis, we specialise in supporting businesses and individuals expanding into the UK. Our IAA-regulated advisers provide:
- Company setup: guidance on registration, office address, and tax obligations.
- Compliance monitoring: ensuring the new UK branch meets Home Office requirements.
- Visa application management: preparing Expansion Worker applications for employees and dependants.
- Long-term planning: advising on switching to settlement routes, family relocation, and business growth in the UK.
- Sponsor licence support: preparing the business case, documentation, and compliance procedures.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
Let’s Discuss & Start Visa Consultations
Expert guidance on visas, settlement, citizenship, and asylum — just a message away.