UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)

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Eligibility

To be eligible for a UK Expansion Worker visa you need to:

  • have a valid certificate of sponsorship from your employer
  • have worked for your employer outside the UK
  • do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
  • be paid the minimum eligible salary required for your job

Your employer must make sure your job pays at least the minimum wage and follows the UK rules for how many hours a week you work. If your employer does not do this, your application will be refused.

Getting a certificate of sponsorship

Your employer - also known as your sponsor - will give you a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ with information about the role you will do in the UK. It’s an electronic record, not a paper document.

You’ll need the reference number from the certificate of sponsorship for your visa application. You must apply for your visa within 3 months of getting your certificate of sponsorship.

If your employer is not currently approved to sponsor people to work in the UK, they can apply for a sponsor licence if they’re eligible.

How long you need to have worked for your employer outside the UK

You must have worked for your employer outside of the UK for at least 12 months unless you meet one of the following criteria:

  • you’re earning over £73,900
  • you’re a Japanese national doing work for a Japanese company that is expanding to the UK
  • you’re a national or permanent resident of Australia doing work for an Australian company that is expanding to the UK

Check if your job is eligible

Before you can find out if your job is eligible, you need to know its 4-digit occupation code. You can get this from your employer or your certificate of sponsorship.

When you know your occupation code, view the table of eligible jobs to see if it’s included.

Salary requirements

You must be paid at least £48,500 per year or the ‘going rate’ for your job - whichever is higher.

Each occupation code has its own annual going rate. Check the going rate for your job in the going rates table.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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