2024 Guide to the UK Expansion Worker visa requirements

by UK Immigration Law Firm in India

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In this article we have covered these important points:

Introduction: UK Expansion Worker Visa Requirements

The United Kingdom is considered one of the best European countries to establish a business, and it is home to the world’s leading financial centre – London, which employs over 6 million people.

Britain attracts firms from all over the world because they offer so many opportunities, and we are a top exporter of ideas, technology, and talent. Britain is one of the top European countries for entrepreneurs and business owners because of its taxation system, laws, and skilled workforce.

The UK has introduced a new category – Appendix Global Business Mobility, with 5 new visa routes under it, namely:

If you are looking to set up a global presence, the UK Expansion Worker visa allows you to enter the UK and open a subsidiary firm of your existing business in the UK

Want to know more about the UK Expansion Worker visa? Click here

UK Expansion Worker Visa Guidance

  • A UK Expansion Worker Visa allows you to enter the UK to set up a branch of your existing overseas firm, that has not yet begun trading in the UK
  • To be eligible for the route, you must have formerly worked in your existing business as a senior manager or a specialist employee

Eligibility of UK Expansion Worker visa

The Eligibility Of UK Expansion Worker Visa is mentioned below, which you must meet.

  • Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
  • To work for your subsidiary business firm in the UK, your job role must be mentioned on the list of eligible occupations
  • Your annual income after arriving in the UK must meet the legally mandated “minimum wage” for your job role

UK Expansion Worker Visa Requirements 2024

Since the UK Representative of an overseas business visa route has closed, and the UK Expansion Worker visa has replaced the route, there are certain modifications in requirements of UK expansion worker visa and other areas of the route.

How long must you have worked for your employer outside of the United Kingdom?

Unless you’re one of the following, you must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months outside of the UK:

  • over £73,900 in earnings
  • a Japanese national working for a Japanese firm moving into the UK

Unless you’re one of the following, you must have worked for your employer for at least 12 months outside of the UK:

  • over £73,900 in earnings
  • a Japanese national working for a Japanese firm moving into the UK

When you apply, you must include the following documents requirements for a UK Expansion Worker visa

  • A valid passport or equivalent document proving your identity and nationality, which your company will provide you with
  • Your annual income and work title
  • The occupation code for your work
  • Evidence proving you have adequate personal savings to maintain yourself in the UK, such as bank statements, the name of your company and their sponsor licence number – this will be on your certificate of sponsorship
  • Your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a specified nation proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re applying with you.
  • You may also be asked to provide other documents like –
    • proof that you’ve worked for your company outside of the UK
    • an ATAS certificate if your company says you need one because your job entails a PhD-level or higher research on a sensitive issue.

What is the minimum wage for a UK Expansion Worker visa?

Following are the UK Expansion Worker salary requirements:

  • The candidate must earn at least £42,400 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for that specific employment role, whichever is higher.
  • The annual going rate for each profession code is different.

Sponsor requirements for UK Expansion Workers

After you apply, you may be asked to present proof of 12 months of employment with your current employer.
If you’re one of the following, you won’t have to show this:

  • over £73,900 in earnings
  • as a Japanese national working for a Japanese firm moving into the UK

If requested, you must show that you were paid by your employer throughout this time period. You can offer:

  • Salary slips
  • Online pay stubs with a note from your sponsor signed by a senior member of staff
  • Statements from a bank or building society
  • A passbook for the building society

Financial Requirement for UK Expansion Worker visa

  • You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account when you arrive in the UK to demonstrate that you can sustain yourself.
  • You must have had the funds available for at least 28 days in a row. The 28-day period must finish within 31 days of the application deadline.

Summary

It is critical to meet the requirements of UK expansion worker visa to qualify for the route. The UK expansion worker visa requirements 2022 are different from the (recently closed) UK Sole Rep visa, even though it is a replacement of the same. Among the 5 new routes, the UK Expansion Worker visa is suitable for ambitious business owners looking to expand to the UK.

How can we help you in your UK expansion workers application?

Want to expand your business, get to know the UK Expansion Worker visa requirements? Contact The SmartMove2UK!

Our UK immigration lawyers are aware of the end-to-end process involved in expanding your business. From filing for incorporation, registering your business, getting a sponsor licence; to getting you there on the right visa!

Expand your business with our team of experts equipped with all relevant information to guide you through the process; without any hesitation.

Our team has helped many clients expand their business to the UK – from applying for a visa – to set up in the UK – we offer full representation as well as post-landing services.

Our team of lawyers is based around all the major cities in India – Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. We have also been assisting clients from all around the globe via Zoom & Skype and have clients visiting our offices in Mumbai & Delhi for in-person consultations.

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