Global Business Mobility
Global Business Mobility (Expansion worker) Visa
Expansion Worker Visa for the United Kingdom
What is the Global Business Mobility (Expansion worker) Visa?
A Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) visa allows workers from overseas to establish subsidiaries or branches in the UK. Despite replacing the older Sole Representative visa with the business Expansion visa UK, the new visa has one important difference. The newer UK Expansion Worker scheme requires a Certificate of Sponsorship from the employer, whereas the Sole Representative visa was an unsponsored route.
To establish a presence in the UK, foreign businesses must obtain a sponsor license. We guide overseas businesses through the process of applying for and obtaining a sponsor license as a specialist in UK business immigration. Contact Global Solicitors friendly expert solicitors to discuss your Global Business Mobility visa sponsor license requirements.
What are the eligibility requirements for a Global Business Mobility visa?
In order to be eligible for Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) visas, applicants must be senior managers or specialists with overseas employers and possess the skills and experience required to establish a UK business. Additionally, they must have been employed outside the UK by their overseas employer/sponsor for at least one year. This requirement is only waived if the applicant earns £73,900 or works for a Japanese company.
What are the requirements for obtaining a Global Business Mobility Visa for the United Kingdom?
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their overseas employer: 20 points
- Hold an offer for an eligible occupation: 20 points
- Earn at least £45,800 a year, or the going rate for their occupation, whichever is higher: 20 points
Based on the above criteria, if the applicant scores 60 points, they will also need to prove that they have at least £1,270 to support themselves in the UK. The applicant’s bank must have kept these funds for at least 28 days before submitting their application.
- Currently does not trade in the UK
- A genuine intention to open a branch or "wholly owned subsidiary" in the UK
- It does not mean that the business must be trading in the UK, but rather that it is taking steps to establish a presence in the UK, for example, by renting commercial property there
- Has been active and trading outside the UK for one or more years
- Has genuine and credible plans for expansion of its business in the UK – in the form of a detailed business plan
How long is the validity of a Global Business Mobility visa for the United Kingdom?
Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) visas are typically given for a period of up to 12 months, which can be extended (please read the section on extension below).
Can I bring my family to the UK on a Global Business mobility visa?
Yes, dependent family members (spouse/partner and children) of Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) visa holders can visit the UK.
The applicant must be the primary visa holder’s married, civil, or unmarried partner (as long as they have been living together for at least 2 years) to qualify as a dependent partner. Dependent children must be under the age of 18 (unless they are already dependent in the UK) and financially dependent on the primary visa holder. Family members who are given a dependent visa can stay in the UK for the same period as the Expansion Worker visa holder.
In the UK, am I allowed to work while I am on a Global Business mobility visa?
You can only work as a Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) visa holder in the role for which you have been sponsored by your business (i.e. the employment listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship). Expansion Worker visa holders are also prohibited from doing a second job under the guidelines.
Do I have the right to study while on a Global Business mobility visa for the United Kingdom?
Do I have the option of extending my Global Business mobility visa?
On the basis of a Global Business mobility visa, am I eligible to apply for permanent residency in the UK?
Unluckily, there is no direct route to permanent residency (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK through Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker). However, Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) visa holders can apply for indefinite permission to remain after residing in the UK for a continuous amount of time.
Most visas in the UK need a 5-year qualifying term. It is crucial to remember that if you opt to move to a different form of visa once in the UK to subsequently get ILR, the time spent in the UK on an Expansion Worker visa may not contribute towards the continuous residence duration.
How much does a Global Business Mobility Visa for the United Kingdom cost?
The application price for the Global Business Mobility (Expansion Worker) Visa is £259 as of 2023. In addition to the application cost, the applicant and any dependent family members who will be accompanying them must pay a £624 annual healthcare premium. The healthcare surcharge enables visa holders and their dependents to use the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom (UK) if they require medical treatment during their stay.
If you are an international company looking to grow into the UK and want more information on the Expansion Worker visa scheme or any of the other four Global Business Mobility visas, please contact Global Solicitors. Our knowledgeable company Solicitors can explain the advantages of the Expansion Worker Visa UK and manage all stages of the application procedure on your behalf.