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UK Expansion Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)
United KingdomUnited Kingdom•Europe
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UK Expansion Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 day – 2 months

Varies by processing route

Estimated Cost

GBP £340–£1,840

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

1 year

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information
United Kingdom flag

Living in United Kingdom

Cost of Living
2% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary£31,000
Quality of Life
174/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

For senior managers or specialist employees setting up a UK branch of an overseas business.

The UK Expansion Worker visa is part of the Global Business Mobility route for senior managers and specialist employees setting up a UK branch of an overseas business. Applicants must earn at least £52,500/year, hold a Certificate of Sponsorship, and have 12 months of prior employment with the overseas group.

The visa is granted for 12 months, extendable once for a hard 2-year maximum. Time does not count toward ILR — there is no settlement pathway. Dependants may accompany and work. No English language test is required. Each sponsor is limited to 10 workers on this route.

This visa is ideal for senior or specialist staff at overseas companies who need to establish a UK presence before the entity begins trading, and who do not need a permanent residency pathway.

United Kingdom

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Cost Breakdown

Application feeGBP £340
Priority service (5 working days)GBP £500
optional
Super priority service (next working day)GBP £1,000
optional
Immigration Health Surcharge (per year)GBP £1,035
recurring
Immigration Health Surcharge — children under 18 (per year)GBP £776
recurring
TotalGBP £340–£1,840

Processing Time

Standard (outside UK)2–3 weeks
Standard (inside UK)1–2 months
Priority5 days
Super Priority1 day

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant1 year

Annual Cap & Quota

No national cap; each sponsor limited to 10 Certificates of Sponsorship

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Skilled Worker Visa
United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom

Skilled Worker Visa

Validity5 years per grant (renewable indefinitely)
Processing3 weeks
View Visa Details
Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom

Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

Validity5 years
Processing2 weeks – 2 months
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Aged 18 or over

Valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed UK sponsor

Currently employed by the overseas sponsoring organisation

12 months cumulative overseas employment with sponsor group (unless earning over £73,900 or qualifying under UK-Japan/UK-Australia trade agreements)

Job must be in a qualifying SOC 2020 occupation code (GBM Table 2 or 3)

Salary of at least £52,500/year or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher

£1,270 in maintenance funds held for 28 consecutive days (unless applicant has been on valid UK visa for 12+ months)

Overseas business must have 3+ years trading history with credible UK expansion plans

Employer limited to sponsoring maximum 10 workers under this route

KEY CRITERIA

Experience

1+ years

Min. Income

52,500 GBP/yr

Min. Savings

1,270 GBP

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reference number.

Job title and annual salary.

Job's occupation code.

Name of employer and their sponsor licence number.

Evidence of personal savings (if required).

Evidence of 12 months' employment with the overseas business (if applicable).

Tuberculosis test results (if from a listed country).

Proof of relationship for any dependants.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Enables overseas businesses to establish a UK presence using trusted senior staff before the entity begins trading
  • No English language test required
  • Dependants (partner and children under 18) may accompany and are permitted to work
  • Access to NHS via Immigration Health Surcharge payment
  • Study and voluntary work permitted alongside employment
  • Exceptions to 12-month work history for high earners (£73,900+) and qualifying nationals under trade agreements

Worth Knowing

  • No pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR/settlement) — time does not count toward 5-year qualifying period
  • Hard 2-year maximum; must leave or switch to another route after
  • Only valid while the UK entity has not yet begun trading — must switch routes once operational
  • Employer capped at 5 sponsored workers under this route
  • Time counts toward 5-year cumulative limit across all GBM and Intra-Company routes
  • Work restricted to sponsoring employer and specific role on CoS
  • No secondary employment permitted
  • Bonuses, overtime, and most allowances do not count toward salary threshold

Application Process

1

Employer obtains UK sponsor licence (A-rated) if not already licensed

2

Employer assigns a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) electronically

3

Applicant applies online within 3 months of CoS issuance

4

Verify identity via UK Immigration

ID Check app or in-person biometrics at a visa application centre

5

Upload supporting documents

6

Pay application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge

7

Attend appointment and surrender passport if required

8

Receive email notification with decision; passport returned

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