UK Expansion Worker Visa
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A quick look
You can stay for 14 days longer than the time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Yes, and the sponsor needs to be registered to do so by the UK Home Office.
You are allowed to:
- Work for a sponsoring organisation in the job described in your Certificate of Sponsorship
- Study
- Bring your partner and/or children with you, if eligible
- Do voluntary work
- Travel abroad and return to the UK
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You are not allowed to:
- Apply for most public funds/benefits, including State Pension
- Change jobs until you update your visa
- Have a second job
- Apply for permanent settlement in the UK
UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is for senior employees who wish to undertake work related to the expansion of an overseas business in the UK. This route replaced the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa, which closed to new applicants on 11 April 2022.
Requirements
Applicants for the UK Expansion Worker Visa will need to:
- Be currently working for a business linked to their UK sponsor by common ownership
- Have worked outside the UK for the linked business for a total of at least 12 months (unless they earn £73,900 per year or more, or are a Japanese national seeking to establish a UK branch of their business)Â
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship for the job they are planning to do, issued by an authorised employer
Applicants will not need to satisfy an English language requirement.
The job the applicant plans to do must:
- Be an eligible job at or above a minimum skill levelÂ
- Pay a salary of at least £45,800 per year
Certificate of Sponsorship
A Certificate of Sponsorship is a reference number that holds information on the job and your own personal details. It is not an actual certificate or paper document. It is a number that corresponds to the job you have been offered.Â
As well as the reference number, your sponsor will also give you information to help you to apply for the visa, for example how much you will be paid. This helps to prove you meet the job and salary requirements for the visa.Â
How long can I stay in the UK?
Successful applicants will be allowed to stay in the UK until either:Â
- One year after the start date of the job detailed in the Certificate of Sponsorship or;
- 14 days longer than the time given on the Certificate of Sponsorship or;
- The date on which the applicant will have had continuous permission as a UK Expansion Worker totalling 2 years or;Â
- The date on which they will have had cumulative permission in the Global Business Mobility routes totalling 5 years in any 6-year period
Holders of the visa will be allowed to work for their sponsor in the job detailed on their Certificate of Sponsorship.Â
How much does a UK Expansion Worker Visa cost?
When you apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker Visa, you will need to pay the application fee, which is £298. You will also need to pay the healthcare surcharge, which is currently £1,035.
You will also need to have enough money to support yourself when you arrive in the UK. This is usually at least £1,270. However, you will be exempt from this if you have already been in the UK for 12 months on another visa and are still here, or if your sponsor has said they will cover your costs for the first month of your stay in the UK.
For proof that you can support yourself, the funds will need to have been in your bank account for 28 continuous days, within 31 days of you making your application.
You will be told how much you need to pay when you apply.
Ready for assistance?
If you have any questions about the changes or want legal advice, contact
Woodcock Law & Notary Public today. Contact us by phone on +44 (0)20 7712 1705 or
by email at info@woodcocklaw.co.uk.
