UK Expansion Worker Visa 2025 – Complete Guide
Everything you need to know about bringing senior staff to the UK to establish your overseas business branch: eligibility, salary requirements, sponsor licence process, and pathway options.
What Is the Expansion Worker Route?
The Expansion Worker visa is designed for senior employees of overseas businesses that want to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. It allows you to bring key staff to the UK to set up and run your UK operations.
This route is ideal for businesses expanding internationally who need senior managers or specialist employees to oversee the UK establishment. The visa is granted for up to 1 year initially, with the possibility of a 1-year extension (2 years total maximum).
Key Features
Must be in a senior management or specialist role
1 year initially, extendable by 1 more year
No need to advertise the job in the UK first
Can bring partner and children as dependants
Eligibility Requirements
1Overseas Business Requirements
Your overseas employer must meet these criteria:
- Operating outside the UK and trading lawfully
- Have a genuine need to establish a UK presence
- Must not already be trading in the UK (except as preparing to trade)
- Intend to establish a registered UK branch or subsidiary
2Employee Requirements
As the applicant, you must:
- Be in a senior management position or have specialist skills
- Have worked for your overseas employer outside the UK for at least 12 months
- Be coming to the UK to establish a trading presence or branch
- Meet English language requirement (B1 level)
Important: This visa is specifically for establishing a new UK presence. If your company already has an operating UK entity, you should apply for a Skilled Worker visa or Intra-Company Transfer visa instead.
Salary Thresholds
Minimum Salary (2025)
Annual salary requirement for Expansion Worker visa (updated July 2025)
Per Hour
Minimum hourly rate (based on 37.5 hour week)
Key Points About Salary
- The £52,500 threshold is higher than the standard Skilled Worker visa (£41,700)
- No going rate requirements for specific SOC codes (unlike Skilled Worker)
- Salary must be paid by your overseas employer or the new UK entity
Check Salary Eligibility
Use our calculator to verify if your salary meets the requirements
Open Calculator →Sponsor Licence Process
Special Sponsor Licence for Expansion Workers
Your overseas company must apply for a temporary sponsor licence specifically for the Expansion Worker route. This is different from a full Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
Valid for up to 2 years (aligned with visa duration)
Can sponsor maximum 5 senior staff under this route
Once trading, can apply for full Skilled Worker sponsor licence
Learn About Sponsor Licences
Complete guide to obtaining and maintaining a UK sponsor licence
View Sponsor Guide →Documents Required
Valid Passport
Current passport with at least 6 months validity
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
CoS reference number from your overseas employer's UK sponsor licence
Proof of Employment
Evidence of 12+ months employment with overseas company (contracts, payslips)
Business Evidence
Documents showing genuine overseas business and UK expansion plans
English Language Certificate
Approved test at B1 level OR degree taught in English
TB Test Certificate
Required if from listed country (valid 6 months)
Visa Fees & Costs
Calculate Total Costs
Get accurate estimate including all fees for you and your family
Open Cost Calculator →Processing Time
Standard Processing
Applications are typically decided within 3 weeks from outside the UK
Priority Service
Faster processing available for £500 extra
(Availability varies by country)
Pathway to Settlement (ILR)
No Direct ILR Route
The Expansion Worker visa does not lead directly to ILR. It is a temporary visa limited to a maximum of 2 years and cannot be extended beyond that.
Time spent on an Expansion Worker visa does not count toward the 5-year continuous residence requirement for ILR.
Alternative Pathway: Switch to Skilled Worker Visa
Once your UK entity is established and trading, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa, which does lead to ILR after 5 years.
Complete business setup and begin trading operations in UK
UK entity applies for standard Skilled Worker sponsor licence
Apply to switch from Expansion Worker to Skilled Worker visa
Time on Skilled Worker visa counts toward ILR eligibility
Related Resources
Skilled Worker Visa
Switch to this route for long-term residence
Sponsor Licence
Learn about obtaining a sponsor licence
Cost Calculator
Calculate total visa expenses
UK Branch Needs Sponsor Licence
Your UK branch must get sponsor licence to hire Expansion Workers
No Direct ILR Route
Expansion Worker doesn't lead to ILR. Switch to Skilled Worker after 2 years for settlement.