This comprehensive UK Expansion Worker Visa guidance covers everything overseas businesses need to know about establishing operations in the United Kingdom in 2026. The Expansion Worker route allows senior managers and specialist employees to relocate to the UK to set up a new branch or subsidiary, making it an essential pathway for international business expansion. With no English language requirement and exemption from the Immigration Skills Charge, this visa offers significant advantages for qualifying businesses.
UK Expansion Worker Visa Guidance 2026
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is a specialist work route under the Global Business Mobility visa category. It enables overseas businesses that do not yet have a trading presence in the UK to send senior personnel to establish their first UK branch or subsidiary. This route replaced the previous Sole Representative visa and offers a streamlined pathway for international business expansion into the UK market.
What is the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is a sponsored work route for senior managers and specialists from overseas companies who need to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. It costs £319 to apply, requires a minimum salary of £52,500 (or the going rate), and allows stays of up to 2 years. There is no English language requirement.
The UK Expansion Worker route is specifically designed for businesses that have not yet started trading in the UK. If your overseas company already has an operational UK presence, you would instead need to apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa under the Global Business Mobility routes.
Who Qualifies as an Expansion Worker?
To qualify for the UK Expansion Worker Visa, applicants must be:
- Senior manager or specialist: Employed at a senior level by the overseas business
- Graduate-level role: Position must be RQF Level 6 or above (degree equivalent)
- 12-month employment: Worked for the overseas business for at least 12 months (with exemptions)
- Valid Certificate of Sponsorship: Sponsored by a UK entity with a Global Business Mobility licence
- Meets salary threshold: Paid at least £52,500 or the going rate for the role
UK Expansion Worker vs Senior or Specialist Worker
Both routes fall under Global Business Mobility, but they serve different purposes:
UK Expansion Worker Visa Requirements 2026
Both the overseas business and the individual applicant must meet specific requirements to qualify for the UK Expansion Worker Visa. The Home Office will assess whether the business expansion is genuine and whether the applicant has the appropriate skills and experience.
What is the Salary Threshold for UK Expansion Worker Visa?
From 22 July 2025, the minimum salary threshold for UK Expansion Worker Visa is £52,500 per year, or the going rate for the specific occupation code, whichever is higher. Going rates for Global Business Mobility routes are set at the 25th percentile, which is lower than the median rate required for Skilled Worker visas.
Business Eligibility Requirements
- Overseas trading presence: The business must be actively trading outside the UK
- No UK trading: The business must NOT have started trading in the UK yet
- Genuine expansion: Credible plans to establish a UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary
- Economic benefit: The expansion should create jobs and bring investment to the UK
- UK footprint: Evidence of UK business premises or Companies House registration
- Viable business plan: Demonstrating how the UK operation will be established within 2 years
The 12-Month Overseas Work Requirement
Most applicants must have worked for the overseas business (or a linked business) outside the UK for at least 12 months before applying. However, there are important exemptions:
How to Apply for the UK Expansion Worker Visa
The application process for the UK Expansion Worker Visa requires your UK sponsor to first obtain a Global Business Mobility sponsor licence, then issue you a Certificate of Sponsorship. Only then can you submit your visa application through the official gov.uk portal.
- Step 1: UK entity obtains Global Business Mobility sponsor licence
- Step 2: Sponsor assigns Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to applicant
- Step 3: Complete online visa application on gov.uk
- Step 4: Pay application fee (£319) and Immigration Health Surcharge
- Step 5: Book and attend biometrics appointment
- Step 6: Submit supporting documents (passport, employment evidence, business plan)
- Step 7: Wait for decision (3 weeks standard from outside UK)
UK Expansion Worker Visa Fees 2026
The total cost of a UK Expansion Worker Visa includes the application fee, Immigration Health Surcharge, and employer costs for sponsorship. Note that unlike the Skilled Worker visa, there is no Immigration Skills Charge for this route.
For a complete breakdown of all immigration costs, see our comprehensive guide to UK visa fees.
Processing Times
Standard processing time for UK Expansion Worker Visa applications is approximately 3 weeks when applying from outside the UK, or up to 8 weeks when applying from inside the UK. Priority services are available for faster decisions:
- Standard processing: 3 weeks (outside UK) / 8 weeks (inside UK)
- Priority service: +£500 for decision within 5 working days
- Super Priority service: +£1,000 for decision by next working day
Benefits of the UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker Visa offers significant advantages for both businesses and individual workers compared to other sponsored work routes.
Key Benefits for Businesses
- Access to global talent: Bring experienced staff from your overseas headquarters
- No ISC: Significant cost savings compared to Skilled Worker sponsorship
- Lower going rates: 25th percentile salary thresholds vs 50th percentile
- Market expansion: Establish presence in the UK market with trusted personnel
- Knowledge transfer: Experienced staff can train UK recruits
Key Benefits for Workers
- Career advancement: Lead UK market entry for your company
- International experience: Gain valuable UK business experience
- Dependents allowed: Bring your partner and children under 18
- Study permitted: Can study alongside work commitments
- NHS access: Full access to healthcare via Immigration Health Surcharge
- Settlement pathway: Can switch to Skilled Worker for long-term settlement
After the UK Expansion Worker Visa: Next Steps
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is a temporary route with a maximum duration of 2 years. It does not lead directly to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). However, there are pathways for those wishing to stay in the UK long-term.
Extension Options
The initial UK Expansion Worker Visa is granted for up to 1 year. You can apply for an extension of up to 1 additional year, provided you still meet all eligibility requirements. The total time on this route cannot exceed 2 years.
Settlement Pathway
The UK Expansion Worker Visa does not lead directly to Indefinite Leave to Remain. To qualify for settlement, you must switch to another visa category that provides a settlement pathway, such as:
- Skilled Worker visa: Once the UK business is established and trading, switch to Skilled Worker for a 5-year settlement pathway
- Innovator Founder: If you qualify as a founder of an innovative business
- Family routes: If you have qualifying family ties in the UK
- Application fee is £319 plus £1,035/year IHS (2026 rates)
- Minimum salary threshold is £52,500 or going rate, whichever is higher
- No English language requirement (unlike Skilled Worker)
- No Immigration Skills Charge (employers save up to £2,640)
- Maximum duration is 2 years (1 year + 1 year extension)
- No direct settlement pathway—switch to Skilled Worker for ILR
For detailed guidance on Global Business Mobility routes, see the official Immigration Rules Appendix on gov.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is a sponsored work visa under the Global Business Mobility route that allows senior managers and specialist employees from overseas businesses to come to the UK to establish a new branch or subsidiary. It is specifically for companies that do not yet have a trading presence in the UK and want to expand their operations to the UK market.
How much does the UK Expansion Worker Visa cost?
The UK Expansion Worker Visa costs £319 to apply (2026 rates). Additionally, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year (£776 for under 18s) upfront for the full visa duration. You also need to show £1,270 in savings unless your sponsor certifies maintenance. Employers pay £574-£1,579 for the sponsor licence plus £55 per Certificate of Sponsorship.
What is the salary requirement for UK Expansion Worker Visa?
From 22 July 2025, the minimum salary requirement is £52,500 per year, or the going rate for your specific occupation code, whichever is higher. Going rates for Global Business Mobility routes are set at the 25th percentile of UK earnings for that occupation. High earners of £73,900+ are exempt from the 12-month overseas work requirement.
Is there an English language requirement for UK Expansion Worker Visa?
No, there is no English language requirement for the UK Expansion Worker Visa. This is a significant advantage compared to the Skilled Worker visa, which requires B2 English proficiency from January 2026. Senior professionals can qualify based on their skills and experience without needing to pass an English test.
Can I bring my family on the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
Yes, your dependent partner and children under 18 can apply to come with you to the UK. They must meet eligibility requirements and apply for their own dependent visas. Dependents can work in the UK without restrictions, and children can attend school. Each dependent must pay the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge.
How long can I stay on the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
The UK Expansion Worker Visa is initially granted for up to 1 year. You can extend for an additional 1 year if you still meet the requirements. The maximum total stay on this visa is 2 years. After this period, you must either leave the UK or switch to another visa category such as the Skilled Worker visa if you wish to remain.
Can I get settlement (ILR) on the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
No, the UK Expansion Worker Visa does not lead directly to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain). To qualify for ILR, you must switch to a visa category that provides a settlement pathway, such as the Skilled Worker visa. Once on the Skilled Worker route, you can apply for ILR after 5 years of continuous residence in the UK, meeting all the relevant requirements.
What is the difference between Expansion Worker and Senior or Specialist Worker visa?
The key difference is the UK trading status of the business. The UK Expansion Worker Visa is for overseas companies that do NOT yet have a trading presence in the UK and want to establish one. The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is for companies that already have trading operations in the UK and need to bring in staff for temporary assignments. Expansion Workers can stay for maximum 2 years; Senior/Specialist Workers can stay up to 5 years per assignment.