Corporate Mobility / United Kingdom / Route
United Kingdom · Investment route
Send key staff to establish your UK branch — secure Sponsor Licence, expand operations, and enter the UK market with confidence.
Last updated: 2025-10-27
Programme overviewنظرة عامة
Overview
The UK Expansion Worker Visa enables overseas companies to send senior managers or specialists to establish a new branch or subsidiary in the United Kingdom. With 100% foreign ownership, a Sponsor Licence, and streamlined compliance, this route supports smooth business expansion into the UK while allowing dependants to join and future visa flexibility.
At a glanceلمحة
Key highlights
- ✦Business Expansion
- ✦Sponsor Licence
- ✦Corporate Transfer
- ✦United Kingdom
What you getالمزايا
Send key staff to set up your UK branch or subsidiary.
Full ownership of the UK entity permitted.
Dependants can live, work, and study in the UK.
Access to the UK’s robust market and skilled workforce.
Option to switch to long-term visas such as Skilled Worker.
Investment & costsالتكاليف
Government & due-diligence fees
Figures are indicative and exclusive of professional fees. Your advisor confirms an exact, written cost breakdown for your family size.
Eligibilityالأهلية
Requirements
Active overseas business with no UK trading presence.
Employee must have worked at least 12 months with the overseas company.
Valid Sponsor Licence and Certificate of Sponsorship required.
Proof of funds and business plan for UK expansion.
Meet English language and salary threshold.
Who cannot apply
Overseas company not actively trading.
Employee has less than 12 months of service.
Incomplete business or financial documents.
No genuine plan for UK operations.
The processكيف نعمل
Company & Licence Setup
Register your UK branch and apply for a Sponsor Licence.
Assign Certificate of Sponsorship
Issue CoS to the chosen senior manager or specialist.
File Visa Application
Submit visa application with documents and biometrics.
Receive Visa Decision
Processing time 3–8 weeks (priority option available).
Begin UK Operations
Employee travels to the UK to establish business presence.
Maintain Compliance
Meet reporting duties and renew Sponsor Licence on time.
Sponsorship & salary rulesالرواتب
Senior Manager or Specialist
Minimum salary as per UK Home Office; actual threshold varies by occupation code.
- ✦Applicant must be an existing employee of the overseas company for at least 12 months.
- ✦Company must have no active trading presence in the UK prior to this application.
- ✦Sponsor Licence approval required before assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Free zone comparisonالمناطق الحرة
UK Home Office
- ✦Approves Sponsor Licences and visa applications.
- ✦Sets salary and eligibility thresholds.
- ✦Ensures compliance for sponsoring employers.
Companies House
- ✦Registers new UK company or branch.
- ✦Annual confirmation statement required.
HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs)
- ✦Handles payroll taxes, PAYE registration, and VAT compliance.
Questionsأسئلة شائعة
This route, answered.
Senior managers or specialist employees of an overseas company looking to open a UK branch or subsidiary.
Start the United Kingdom route.
A senior advisor will confirm the exact costs, timeline and documents for your case — privately, and entirely off the record.