UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Printable version

1. Overview

A UK Expansion Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas business that has not started trading in the UK yet.

You must already work for the overseas business as either a senior manager or specialist employee.

If your business is already trading in the UK, you should apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa instead.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa you need to:

  • have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer
  • have worked for your employer outside the UK
  • do a job that바카라 사이트檚 on the list of eligible occupations
  • be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job

The specific eligibility depends on your job.

How long you can stay in the UK

You can stay in the UK with a UK Expansion Worker visa for whichever is shorter of:

  • 12 months after the start date of the job on your certificate of sponsorship
  • the time given on your certificate of sponsorship plus 14 days

If you want to stay longer in the UK, you can extend your visa by 12 months. The maximum time you can stay in the UK on a UK Expansion Worker visa is 2 years.

If you바카라 사이트檝e spent time in the UK on this or another visa, you might not be able to stay on a UK Expansion Worker visa for as long. You can only stay in the UK for a maximum of 5 years in any 6 year period if you바카라 사이트檝e spent time on any of these visas:

  • Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa
  • Intra-company Transfer visa
  • Graduate Trainee visa (Global Business Mobility)
  • Secondment Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
  • Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
  • Service Supplier visa (Global Business Mobility)
  • UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you바카라 사이트檙e:

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your 바카라 사이트榙ependants바카라 사이트� if they바카라 사이트檙e eligible.

How much it costs

You, your partner or children will each need to:

  • pay the application fee
  • pay the healthcare surcharge for each year of your stay
  • prove you have enough personal savings

Check how much it costs.

How long it takes

You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before the day you are due to start work in the UK. This date is listed on your certificate of sponsorship.

As part of your application, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You바카라 사이트檒l find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision on your visa within:

  • 3 weeks, if you바카라 사이트檙e outside the UK
  • 8 weeks, if you바카라 사이트檙e inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

If your application is successful, your decision email will tell you what you바카라 사이트檒l get to prove your immigration status and what you need to do next.

What you can and cannot do

With a UK Expansion Worker visa you can:

  • work for your sponsor in the job described in your certificate of sponsorship
  • study
  • bring your partner and children with you as your 바카라 사이트榙ependants바카라 사이트�, if they바카라 사이트檙e eligible
  • travel abroad and return to the UK
  • do voluntary work

Any voluntary work you do must be unpaid and for one of the following:

  • a registered charity
  • a voluntary organisation聽
  • an associated fundraising body (an organisation that raises money for a charity or voluntary organisation)
  • a statutory body (a government-appointed body, for example Historic England)

You cannot:

  • apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
  • change jobs unless you are eligible and you update your visa
  • have a second job
  • apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as 바카라 사이트榠ndefinite leave to remain바카라 사이트�)

If your application is successful, you바카라 사이트檒l get a full list of what you can and cannot do with this visa.

2. Eligibility

To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa you need to:

  • have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer
  • have worked for your employer outside the UK
  • do a job that바카라 사이트檚 on the list of eligible occupations
  • be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job

Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work. If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused.

Getting a certificate of sponsorship

Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will give you a 바카라 사이트榗ertificate of sponsorship바카라 사이트� with information about the role you will do in the UK. It바카라 사이트檚 an electronic record, not a paper document.

You바카라 사이트檒l need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.

If your employer is not currently approved to sponsor people to work in the UK, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they바카라 사이트檙e eligible.

How long you need to have worked for your employer outside the UK

You must have worked for your employer outside of the UK for at least 12 months unless you meet one of the following criteria:

  • you바카라 사이트檙e earning over 拢73,900
  • you바카라 사이트檙e a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK
  • you바카라 사이트檙e a national or permanent resident of Australia doing work for an Australian company that is expanding to the UK

Check if your job is eligible

Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. You can get this from your employer or your certificate of sponsorship.

When you know your occupation code, view the table of eligible jobs to see if it바카라 사이트檚 included.

Salary requirements

You must be paid at least 拢52,500 per year or the 바카라 사이트榞oing rate바카라 사이트� for your job - whichever is higher.

Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.

3. How much it costs

When you apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa, you바카라 사이트檒l need to have enough money to:

  • pay the 拢319 application fee
  • pay the healthcare surcharge - this is usually 拢1,035 per year
  • support yourself when you arrive in the UK - you바카라 사이트檒l usually need to have at least 拢1,270 available (unless you바카라 사이트檙e exempt)

You바카라 사이트檒l be told how much you need to pay when you apply.

Money to support yourself

You must have at least 拢1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself when you arrive in the UK.

You will need to have had the money available for at least 28 consecutive days. The end date of the 28 day period must be within 31 days of the date you apply.

You바카라 사이트檒l usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless you바카라 사이트檝e been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 months or more.

Your partner and children will also need to prove they can support themselves while they바카라 사이트檙e in the UK. Check how much they바카라 사이트檒l need.

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

4. Documents you바카라 사이트檒l need to apply

When you apply you바카라 사이트檒l need to provide:

Ask your employer for a copy of your certificate of sponsorship if you do not have one. If you바카라 사이트檙e the authorising officer for your organisation, your certificate will be in the sponsor management system.

Other documents you might need

Depending on your circumstances, you might be asked to provide:

  • evidence you바카라 사이트檝e worked for your employer outside the UK
  • a valid ATAS certificate if your employer tells you that you need one because your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you바카라 사이트檒l also need to provide a certified translation.

Evidence you바카라 사이트檝e worked for your employer outside the UK

After you apply you might be asked to show you바카라 사이트檝e worked for your employer for 12 months.

You will not have to show this if you meet any of the following criteria:

  • you바카라 사이트檙e earning over 拢73,900
  • you바카라 사이트檙e a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK
  • you바카라 사이트檙e a national or permanent resident of Australia doing work for an Australian company that is expanding to the UK

If you바카라 사이트檙e asked, you바카라 사이트檒l need to show you바카라 사이트檝e been paid by your employer over this time period. You can provide:

  • printed payslips
  • online payslips supported by a letter from your sponsor signed by a senior staff member
  • bank or building society statements
  • a building society pass book

5. Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a UK Expansion Worker visa.

Check which documents you바카라 사이트檒l need to apply.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and what type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

You바카라 사이트檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

  • you바카라 사이트檒l need to take your passport with you to the visa application centre (you바카라 사이트檒l be able to collect it on the day)
  • you may have to travel to get to your nearest centre (this could be in another country)

Apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa

Once you바카라 사이트檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you바카라 사이트檝e saved it.聽

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You바카라 사이트檒l be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

You can ask to cancel your application. You바카라 사이트檒l only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You바카라 사이트檒l get an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

6. Your partner and children

Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your 바카라 사이트榙ependants바카라 사이트� if they바카라 사이트檙e eligible.

If your partner or child바카라 사이트檚 application is successful, their visa will usually end on the same date as yours. If a child바카라 사이트檚 parents have visas with different expiry dates, the child바카라 사이트檚 visa will end on the earlier date.

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

  • your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
  • your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay
  • your child over 18 if they currently have permission (바카라 사이트榣eave to enter바카라 사이트� or 바카라 사이트榣eave to remain바카라 사이트�) to be in the UK as your dependant

You바카라 사이트檒l need to provide evidence of your relationship to your dependant when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove one of the following:

  • you바카라 사이트檙e in a civil partnership or marriage that바카라 사이트檚 recognised in the UK
  • you바카라 사이트檝e been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
  • you바카라 사이트檝e been in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply but you cannot live together, for example because you바카라 사이트檙e working or studying in different places, or it바카라 사이트檚 not accepted in your culture

If you바카라 사이트檙e not living together, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:

  • communicate regularly with each other
  • support each other financially
  • care for any children you have together
  • spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events

Your child

They must:

  • live with you, unless they바카라 사이트檙e living away from home in full-time education - for example, at boarding school or university
  • not be married or in a civil partnership

You바카라 사이트檒l need to provide evidence of their address, such as:

  • a bank statement
  • credit card bills
  • driving licence
  • NHS registration document
  • an official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they바카라 사이트檙e in the UK.

You - or your partner or child - will need:

  • 拢285 for your partner
  • 拢315 for one child
  • 拢200 for each additional child

Example

You - or your partner or child - would need to have 拢600 to bring your partner and one child with you to the UK (拢285 for your partner and 拢315 for your child). You would also need to have 拢1,270 to support yourself for your own application.

You - or your partner or child - will need to have had the money available for at least 28 days in a row. Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them applying for this visa.

You바카라 사이트檒l usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless you have all been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.

If your partner or child is applying at a different time to you, they바카라 사이트檒l only need to prove they have enough money to support themselves if they have been in the UK for less than 1 year.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.

They바카라 사이트檒l also need your application number - you바카라 사이트檒l get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You바카라 사이트檒l find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

They바카라 사이트檒l need a blank page in their passport for their visa.

Proving their identity

As part of an application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity.

They바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan their identity document - they바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

They바카라 사이트檒l be told what they need to do when they apply.

If they do need an appointment:

  • the visa application centre may need to keep their passport and documents while they process their application
  • they may have to travel to get to their nearest centre (this could be in another country)

Getting a decision

Once they바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

If their application is successful, their decision email will tell them what they바카라 사이트檒l get to prove their immigration status and what they need to do next.

Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch their visa)

If you extend or switch your visa, your partner or child바카라 사이트檚 current visa will still be valid until its original end date. Your partner or child need to apply to extend or switch their visa, either:

  • at the same time as you
  • at any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or children cannot apply to switch to your visa as your dependants if they are currently in the UK:

If your partner or child is currently in the UK on a Student visa, they can only switch if they have either:

  • completed the course they were sponsored to study
  • studied for a PhD for at least 24 months

How to apply

The application form will tell you if you can include your partner and children in your application or whether they need to apply separately.

If your partner or child apply separately, they바카라 사이트檒l need to either:

They바카라 사이트檒l need your application number - you바카라 사이트檒l get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You바카라 사이트檒l find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

Proving their identity

As part of their application, your partner and children will need to prove their identity. They바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan their identity document - they바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign into their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have their fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

They바카라 사이트檒l be told what they need to do when they apply.

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they바카라 사이트檝e applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you바카라 사이트檙e in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can . You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You바카라 사이트檒l need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply for their dependent visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.

What your partner or child can and cannot do

Your partner or child can:

  • work, except as a sportsperson or coach
  • study
  • travel abroad and return to the UK

They cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.

If their application is successful, they바카라 사이트檒l get a full list of what they can and cannot do.

7. Extend your visa

You can apply to extend your UK Expansion Worker visa if all the following are true:

  • you have the same job as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
  • your job is in the same occupation code as when you were given your previous permission to enter or stay in the UK
  • you바카라 사이트檙e still working for the employer who gave you your current certificate of sponsorship
  • you have not reached the maximum total stay

Your partner or child바카라 사이트檚 visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

You must be in the UK to extend your visa.

If your job changes

You바카라 사이트檒l need to apply to update your visa instead.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

Providing biometric information and supporting documents

As part of your application, you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and what type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You바카라 사이트檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to extend your UK Expansion Worker visa

You must apply online before your current visa expires.

Once you바카라 사이트檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you바카라 사이트檝e saved it.聽

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You바카라 사이트檒l be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트檝e sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You바카라 사이트檒l only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You바카라 사이트檒l get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

8. Update your visa if your job changes

You바카라 사이트檒l need to apply to update your UK Expansion Worker visa if your job changes to a different occupation code. You must still have the same employer.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to update their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

Fees

Check how much it costs for your type of visa.

You바카라 사이트檒l also need to have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken. There바카라 사이트檚 no fee for this.

Eligibility and documents you바카라 사이트檒l need to apply

Your new job must meet the eligibility requirements and you바카라 사이트檒l need a new certificate of sponsorship.

You바카라 사이트檒l only need to provide other evidence again if you바카라 사이트檝e been in the UK for less than one year.

When to apply to update your visa

You can apply to update your visa up to 3 months before the start date of your new job.

You can continue working in your current job while your new application is being considered - as long as you apply before your current visa expires.

You should not start your new job until you바카라 사이트檝e got confirmation of your new permission.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and the type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You바카라 사이트檒l be told how to do this when you apply. You바카라 사이트檒l also be told how to provide your supporting documents if you need to.

Apply to update your UK Expansion Worker visa

You must apply online.

Once you바카라 사이트檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you바카라 사이트檝e saved it.聽

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You바카라 사이트檒l be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트檝e sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You바카라 사이트檒l get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

9. Switch to this visa

You might be able to apply to change (바카라 사이트榮witch바카라 사이트�) to a UK Expansion Worker visa if you바카라 사이트檙e already in the UK on a different type of visa. You must meet the eligibility requirements.

Your partner or child바카라 사이트檚 visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Switching from a Student visa

If you바카라 사이트檙e currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must meet the eligibility requirements and one of the following must apply:

  • you have completed the course you were sponsored to study
  • your job start date is after your course has finished
  • you바카라 사이트檙e studying for a PhD full time, and have been for at least 24 months

Who cannot apply to switch

You cannot apply to switch to this visa if you바카라 사이트檙e currently in the UK:

You must leave the UK and apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa from abroad if you바카라 사이트檙e in one of these categories.

Fees

Check how much it costs.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you바카라 사이트檒l need to prove your identity.

How you do this depends on where you바카라 사이트檙e from and the type of passport you have.

You바카라 사이트檒l either:

  • use the 바카라 사이트楿K Immigration: ID Check바카라 사이트� app to scan your identity document - you바카라 사이트檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point

You바카라 사이트檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.

Apply to switch to a UK Expansion Worker visa

Once you바카라 사이트檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you바카라 사이트檝e saved it.聽

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You바카라 사이트檒l usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You바카라 사이트檒l be contacted if your application will take longer, for example because:

  • your supporting documents need to be verified
  • you need to attend an interview
  • of your personal circumstances (for example if you have a criminal conviction)

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you바카라 사이트檝e sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You바카라 사이트檒l get an email or a letter with the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.