To obtain a UK Expansion Worker visa you must:

• Work for your employer outside the UK.
• Possess a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer.
• Be in a job that is on the list of eligible occupations.
• Receive the minimum wage required for your job.

To apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa, you need to complete the following steps:

• Register a branch of an overseas company in the UK. The head office of the company is the owner of the registered branch. This is followed by applying for a sponsorship licence (SL). The process of obtaining an SL usually takes 6-8 weeks and there is no fast-track option.
• Apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa. This requires the employee to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship from the company, which is issued once the Sponsorship Licence has been obtained.
• The visa application can be submitted 3 months prior to the date of commencement of work in the UK. The application normally takes between 2 and 4 weeks to process, however an expedited decision is possible for an additional fee.
• As part of the application you will need to demonstrate education with a minimum required RFQ 6 level corresponding to a Master’s degree or two Bachelor’s degrees.

GBM Visa Requirements:

• The company must be a branch or subsidiary of the owner of the overseas business and must not commence trading in the UK.
• The sponsoring company must have been operating overseas for at least 3 years and can send up to 5 employees on this visa.
• An employee on a GBM visa must be a co-owner of an interest in the company and have been employed for at least 12 months with an annual salary of at least £45,800.
• Financial requirements include having a minimum of £1,270 in a personal bank account.
• The GBM visa is issued for 12 months, can be extended for a further 12 months without leaving the country and has a maximum validity of 2 years.
• This visa can be transferred from other visas within the country.
• It is not possible to transfer to a CoML, however there is the possibility of transferring to other visas that may lead to a CoML.
• Partners and children can apply for entry as ‘dependents’ if they meet the requirements.

The UK Expansion Worker visa application process involves the following steps:

• Submitting an online application using the CoS reference number. The applicant must apply within three months prior to the planned start date for work in the UK.
• Confirming identity and submitting the required documents with the application. The applicant may also be invited to attend an appointment to provide biometric data.
• The applicant must have the following documents: a valid CoS from a licensed sponsor in the UK, passport or other proof of identity and nationality, proof of working for an employer outside the UK for a minimum of 12 months (if required), a valid TB test certificate.
• Once proof of identity and documentation has been confirmed and the relevant fee paid, a decision on the application is usually made within three weeks for applicants outside the UK and eight weeks for in-country applicants.

The cost of applying for a UK Expansion Worker visa includes the following costs:

• Sponsor Licence (SL) fee — £536.
• Registration fee — £259.
• CoS reference number fee — £21.
• HIS health service surcharge — £624.

The cost of incorporating a company and providing a physical address for the office is payable separately.

• In terms of timing, the visa application can be submitted 3 months before the planned start date of working in the UK. You need to confirm your identity and provide supporting documents with your application. If an appointment is required for this, additional time may be required. Once an application has been submitted, a decision is usually made within a few weeks.

• Our Company provides a wide range of services related to obtaining a UK Expansion Worker visa, including company registration, setting up an office, obtaining a sponsorship licence, visa processing and further support in the areas of employment, employment and business development.
• If your company has already been operating in the UK for a number of years, then our company can also help with applying for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa.
• If you are ready to get advice and start the licence and visa process, you can book an appointment with our consultant.

• £3500