UK Business Expansion Visa: Gateway to International Growth

Unlock the potential of your business with the UK Business Expansion Visa. This page will guide you through the benefits, application process, and what makes our services unique in supporting your business’s international expansion

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Introduction

UK Expansion Worker Visa

The UK Business Expansion Visa, officially known as the UK Expansion Worker Visa, enables overseas businesses to send senior employees to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary. This visa is part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) category, designed to facilitate international business operations and growth.

This visa targets senior managers or specialists from overseas companies intending to expand their operations into the UK. It is specifically tailored for experienced professionals who are critical to the business’s international expansion strategy.

UK Visa

Differences from Other UK Business Visas

Unlike the Innovator Visa and Start-up Visa, intended for entrepreneurs looking to start new business ventures in the UK, the UK Business Expansion Visa is designed specifically for established companies aiming to expand their existing operations into the UK. This distinction makes the Business Expansion Visa more suitable for senior managers or specialists, integral to the company’s strategic growth and operational management.

Benefits of a
Business Expansion Visa

The UK Business Expansion Visa facilitates the process of establishing a presence in the UK, and by doing so, candidates/businesses can unlock a range of benefits, such as:

Market Growth Opportunities

Establishing a presence in the UK opens up significant market growth opportunities. The UK is a major global economy with a strong consumer base, providing businesses with the potential to increase their market share and revenue.

Access to New Customer Bases

By expanding into the UK, businesses gain access to new customer demographics, enabling them to diversify their customer base. This can lead to increased sales, enhanced brand recognition, and a more robust market position.

Enhanced Operational Scalability

Setting up a UK branch or subsidiary allows businesses to scale their operations efficiently. This includes optimising supply chains, improving logistical operations, and better serving European and global markets from a strategic location.

Easier Establishment of a UK Branch or Subsidiary

The Business Expansion Visa simplifies establishing a UK branch or subsidiary. It provides a structured pathway for senior employees to relocate and manage the new operations, ensuring that the expansion is smooth and compliant with UK regulations.

Our Services

Our immigration solicitors will guide you through the Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker visa process, helping you achieve your career goals in the UK.

Comprehensive Support

We manage the entire UK Business Expansion Visa application process for you – from initial eligibility checks to submitting the completed application and dealing with any enquiries from the Home Office. This includes ensuring all required documentation is correctly prepared and collated for submission.

Maintaining Compliance

Once a visa is granted, we continue supporting clients with meeting ongoing compliance requirements. This involves tasks such as submitting financial reports, notifying about any address changes, and assisting with visa renewals or switches.

Reporting Duties

A key service we offer is handling reporting obligations imposed on certain visa types. For skilled worker visas, for example, we complete and send annual settlement checks demonstrating ongoing eligibility.

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Free Consultation Offer

Book your free initial consultation now. One of our sponsorship experts will assess your business needs and guide you through the process. It won’t cost you a dime.

Why Choose Us

Choose us because our lawyers will support you

Choose us because our lawyers will support you throughout the entire immigration process, helping you submit your application with confidence, and look forward to your future in the UK.

High Success Rate

With over 15 years of experience navigating UK immigration programs, we can proudly claim an average success rate of 90% for first-time application approvals for our clients.

Extensive Expertise

We stay updated daily on policy and procedural changes, providing insights for proactive planning on new requirements, with specialists registered and regulated by OISC.

Lowest Price Guarantee

We offer affordable, transparent fixed-fee pricing with volume discounts for multiple applications, guaranteeing to match or beat any comparable quote from another provider.

Personalised Attention

Our experienced case handlers are dedicated to your organisation, ensuring quick response times, open communication, and comprehensive support throughout the entire process.

Switching and Extending the Visa

You can apply to extend your UK Business Expansion Visa if it is due to expire and you still meet the eligibility criteria. We submit extension requests three months before your current visa ends.

The requirements include:

  • Proof your business is actively trading with annual accounts and sales/recruitment figures
  • Continued investment/activity as per original plans
  • Extension fee payment

If your business objectives or personal circumstances change, we can assess your eligibility to switch to visas like the Innovator or Investor route. This ensures you maintain a valid immigration status.

The main requirements include:

  • Meeting financial/business obligations of the new category
  • Proving your circumstances align with the new visa’s criteria (e.g. innovative business idea for Innovator route)
  • Switch application fee

Standard extension applications take six months to process. You must prove your business remains active with financial records and reports on ongoing operations. We thoroughly prepare supporting documents for a prompt decision.

Our solicitors are experts in switching and extending visa categories based on varying client circumstances over time. We can determine the optimal immigration route through in-depth reviews and pragmatic planning.

Dependents and Family Members

Your visa allows you to apply for visas for your partner, spouse or civil partner, and children under 18 to live with you in the UK. Eligible family members include unmarried or same-sex partners subject to evidence requirements.

Dependents must prove their relationship to you and have suitable accommodation and minimum funds of £285-£315. Children over 18 may qualify if they remain dependents in the UK. Language or medical exam requirements may also apply based on dependents’ nationality and circumstances.

  1. Separate Applications: Dependents can apply individually online using their UKVI or GWF reference number.
  2. Supporting Documentation: Applicants must submit proof of relationship, funds, accommodation, and other relevant documents.
  3. Submission: Depending on location, biometrics, and documents may be submitted at visa application centres overseas or through the ID Check app in the UK.
  4. Decision: Standard processing is three weeks. Paid priority services may provide faster visa decisions once complete applications are received. Outcomes will be communicated directly to each applicant.

Contact us if you need any part of the application process explained in more depth or have any additional questions!