The UK Expansion Worker visa brought into the UK ‘Points based’ visa system its predecessor the Sole Representative of an Overseas business visa. The idea of the visa is to enable the set-up of the UK branch of an overseas business that has not yet started trading. As it has brought the route into the Points based system, it starts with the company applying for an Expansion Worker Licence.
The Licence application covers information about the overseas business, a summary of the planned expansion into the UK and proof of the company’s initial UK footprint.
It is a temporary work route (up to 2 years) although it is possible to add for example the Skilled Worker route to the Licence and switch visas once a UK trading presence has been established.
To apply you need already to be a Senior Manager or Specialist Employee of the overseas business. There is a previous work requirement with the overseas company unless you are deemed a high earner and certain Japanese nationals and Australian nationals or residents are also exempt from this under specific trade agreements.
One of the advantages of the Expansion Worker route is that the overseas national applying to come to the UK can be the personnel listed on the Licence in the first instance. This is a helpful aspect of this route however partly as a result of this, it also has restrictions on how many people can be sponsored at any one time.
Expansion Worker is a complex but useful route for businesses looking to expand to the UK. Please reach out to one of our Members of the Business Immigration Team should you wish to explore this further.
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