🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Business / Investor
UK Expansion Worker (Global Business Mobility)
For senior employees of overseas businesses that do not yet have an established UK entity, sent to set up and operate the UK expansion. The overseas business must not yet be trading in the UK.
- Scoring
- Employer-sponsored
- Timeline
- 20d–2mo
- Est. cost
- $4K
- Category
- Business / Investor
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Show me my matches, free→Key requirements
- Currently a senior employee of an established overseas business
- Overseas business does not yet have a UK branch, subsidiary, or trading entity
- Purpose is to set up and expand the business into the UK
- UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence held by the overseas parent
Who this visa fits
UK Expansion Worker is a narrow but powerful route for founders or senior executives expanding an established overseas business into the UK. The absolute prerequisite is that no UK trading entity exists yet — once a UK company or branch is incorporated and trading, this route is closed and GBM Senior/Specialist takes over. Frame the route as 'fast-start, then switch' — the candidate gets 2 years to establish the UK operation, then converts to Skilled Worker. If investmentCapital is available, also mention Innovator Founder as a parallel option.
Other United Kingdom visas
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The main UK work visa for employer-sponsored roles. Requires a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor paying at least £38,700 (or the shortage occupation rate if lower).
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For entrepreneurs launching an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. Requires endorsement from an approved endorsing body. No fixed minimum investment since 2023 rule changes.
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Scale-up Visa
Sponsored by a qualifying fast-growing UK company (registered scale-up sponsor). Salary ≥ £36,300. After 6 months, the holder can work for any employer without further sponsorship.
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High Potential Individual (HPI)
No-sponsor visa for graduates of top-50 globally ranked universities (according to the UK government's approved list) awarded within the last 5 years. Gives 2-3 years to work in the UK.
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Graduate Visa
Post-study work visa for international students who have recently completed a UK degree. Allows 2 years of unsponsored work (3 years for PhD graduates).
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