The UK Expansion Worker route allows overseas senior managers or specialist employees to be assigned to the UK to undertake work in relation to a business’ expansion into the UK.

Key features

• Work: sponsored role, voluntary work and study is permitted subject to some restrictions.
• Dependants: the spouse or partner and/or children of the UK Expansion Worker may join or remain with them in UK as dependants. Generally, these individuals may work and study in the UK subject to certain restrictions.
• Switching: migrants can switch from within the UK into the UK Expansion Worker route from most other UK immigration routes.
• Remain: leave to remain in the UK Expansion Worker route is subject to a maximum continuous period of two years. Time spent in the Secondment Worker route does not count towards settlement.

As overseas businesses look to grow, it is vital that key employees can quickly obtain permission to work in the UK to support expansion. Our team has substantial experience and broad knowledge of the complex rules regarding UK Expansion workers and we are well placed to assist clients from the planning phase through to the onboarding the employee in the UK.

Fixed fees

We work on a fixed fee basis. Our fees for individual UK Expansion Worker applications typically range from £5000+ plus VAT and disbursements depending upon the issues, urgencies and complexities involved.

Disbursements
You can expect the main disbursements to include:

• Home Office filing fees (click here for the government’s visa/entry clearance fee calculator and here for a list of all Home Office fees);
• Immigration Health Surcharge fees, if applicable;
• Optional premium service fees for in-country and out-of-country applications; and
• Other ancillary disbursements such as Ecctis fees, biometric enrolment, translations, courier and postage charges, etc.

Dependants
For dependant application fees, please refer to our Dependants section. Dependants typically incur the same disbursements as main applicants.