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Major changes to immigration rules have been announced. The Visa Hub is being updated to reflect the latest developments.

UK Expansion Worker

The Global Business Mobility UK Expansion Worker route is for overseas workers who are senior managers or specialist employees and who are being assigned to the UK to undertake work related to a business’s expansion to the UK.

The overseas organisation which is expanding into the UK must be registered with the Home Office to sponsor expansion workers and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to the individual(s).

The individual(s) to be sponsored must work for the overseas business as either a senior manager or specialist employee and have been employed by that organisation for at least 12 months. This can be avoided if the individual(s) earn over £73,900 per year or are a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company expanding into the UK.

The role that they will fulfil must be on the list of the Home Office’s eligible occupations and pay at least £42,400 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the specific role, whichever is higher.

This route can only be used when the business has not yet begun trading in the UK. If the business is already trading in the UK, workers should consider the Senior or Specialist Worker visa instead.

Read more about this and other questions in our

 section.

Disclaimer

Given the fast pace of change, we would stress that this information is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.

As a hub, we have included references to articles and explainers from third parties. We have no control over and are not responsible for the content, use by you or availability of those third party websites, for any products or services you buy through those sites or for the treatment of any personal information you provide to the third party.

Our immigration team

Flora Mewies

Flora Mewies

Partner | Employment

Leeds and Manchester

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Gillian Burns

Gillian Burns

Associate | Employment

Newcastle

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Natalie Payne

Natalie Payne

Solicitor | Employment

Leeds and Manchester

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