The Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa recently replaced the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa. Now, your business must have its own Sponsor Licence before applying for an Expansion Worker Visa. And, if securing a licence as well as applying for this UK Expansion Worker Visa seems daunting, we get it. It's why we're here to help. Our team will walk you through both steps, ensuring you feel confident in your Sponsor Licence application before securing your UK Expansion Worker Visa.
Already have your UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence? That's no problem. We’ll help you take the next step in applying for a Global Business Mobility Visa (currently known as the UK Expansion Worker Visa).
At A Y & J Solicitors in London, we’ve helped clients secure their UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence as well as their actual Global Business Mobility visa. We understand the importance of growing your business and ensuring you submit an application that's free from any costly mistakes. Our lawyers are prepared to help you each step of the way, so you can successfully move your business to the UK.
Simon Pollock, Director at Calibrant Limited
We are specialists in immigration law and have supported more than 4,000 business owners and professionals around the globe to successfully navigate the UK system. We work quickly, always responding to any queries within 24 working hours. And we work closely with the Home Office to pre-empt issues before they jeopardise sponsorship applications or breach compliance. We manage all United Kingdom immigration matters, including visa applications under the new points-based immigration system, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Spouse Visas, nationality and more. We also handle complex cases of appeal, administrative reviews, judicial reviews and the many immigration challenges involving European Union law and human rights.
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The Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa enables workers from an overseas business to come to the UK to set up a new branch or subsidiary here. It is often referred to as both a Global Business Mobility Visa and Expansion Worker Visa — both mean the same thing. The Expansion Worker visa is a “subcategory” of the Global Business Mobility route.
While the Expansion Worker Visa replaces the older Sole Representative Visa, there is one important difference. Whereas the Sole Representative Visa was an unsponsored route, those applying under the newer Expansion Worker scheme must have a Certificate of Sponsorship from their employer.
This means that overseas businesses wishing to establish a presence in the UK must have a Sponsor Licence. As a specialist in UK business immigration, A Y & J Solicitors regularly guides overseas businesses through the process of applying for and gaining a Sponsor Licence.
To discuss your Global Business Mobility Visa Sponsor Licence requirements, please contact one of our friendly expert Solicitors at A Y & J Solicitors.
Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa applicants must be in a senior management or specialist role for their overseas employer and have the skills and experience necessary to establish a business presence in the UK. They must also have been employed by their overseas employer/sponsor outside the UK for one or more years. The only exceptions to this requirement are where the applicant is paid £73,900 or is a national of Japan working for a Japanese company or an Australian national (or permanent resident) working for an Australian company, expanding to the UK
UK Expansion Worker Visa applicants must score “60 points” based on the following eligibility criteria:
Assuming that the applicant scores 60 points based on the above criteria, they will also need to show that they have at least £1,270 to support themselves in the UK. These funds must have been held by the applicant’s bank for at least 28 days prior to their application being made.
Note: Under the Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa, there are no English language requirements.
In addition, to qualify for a Sponsor Licence (this must be secured before submitting a UK Expansion Worker Visa application), the overseas business must be able to prove it:
Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visas are normally granted for up to 12 months initially. This can be further extended, which we discuss further below.
Yes, dependent family members (i.e. spouse/partner and children) of Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa holders are also able to come to the UK.
To qualify as a dependent partner, the applicant must be the main visa holder’s married partner, civil partner, or unmarried partner (as long as they have been living together for at least 2 years). Dependent children must be under 18 (unless they are currently in the UK as a dependent) and financially dependent on the main visa holder.
If granted a dependent visa, family members can stay in the UK for the same duration as the UK Expansion Worker Visa holder.
As a Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa holder, you can only work in the role for which you have been sponsored by your employer (i.e. the job shown on your Certificate of Sponsorship). The rules also prevent UK Expansion Worker Visa holders from having a second job.
Yes, the Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa rules allow holders to study in the UK. It is important to ensure that any study you undertake in the UK does not interfere with your main reason for being in the UK – i.e. to establish a branch or subsidiary of your employer here.
The Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa can be further extended up to a maximum of two years. This means that if you were granted your initial visa for 12 months, you can apply to renew your visa for another 12 months. If you wish to stay in the UK beyond the maximum stay of 2 years, you will need to switch to a different type of visa, such as a Skilled Worker Visa or Spouse Visa (if you have a married partner, civil partner, or long term partner who is settled in the UK or a UK citizen).
Unfortunately, the Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa does not provide a direct route to permanent residence (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK. It is, however, possible for UK Expansion Worker Visa holders to switch to a visa that allows the holder to apply for indefinite leave to remain after living in the UK for a continuous period.
The qualifying period for most visas in the UK is 5 years. If you choose to switch to a different type of visa once in the UK to later acquire indefinite leave to remain, it is important to note that the time spent in the UK on an Expansion Worker Visa may not count towards the continuous residence period.
As of 2023, the Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa application fee is £259. In addition to the application fee, there is also the healthcare surcharge of £624 per year, which much be paid by the applicant and any dependent family members who will be joining them (£470 per year for under 18-year-old dependents). The healthcare surcharge allows UK Expansion Worker Visa holders and their dependents to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) if they require medical treatment during their stay.
If you are an overseas business with plans to expand into the UK and would like more details on the UK Expansion Worker Visa scheme or any of the other four Global Business Mobility Visas, please get in touch with A Y & J Solicitors. Our expert team of business solicitors can explain the benefits of the UK Expansion Worker Visa and handle all aspects of the application process on your behalf.
A Y & J Solicitors have over ten years of experience advising and representing clients looking to secure their UK Expansion Worker Visa.
If you’re looking to come to the UK to set up a new branch or subsidiary, know our reliable solicitors are here to help. We’ll take you step-by-step through the process, ensuring you can properly apply for your UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence and UK Expansion Worker Visa.
