If you’re a U.S.-based entrepreneur or executive planning to expand your company into the United Kingdom, the UK Expansion Worker Visa is a tailored immigration route designed to support your business goals. Whether you’re establishing a new UK branch from the USA or relocating key staff to oversee setup operations, this visa offers a structured legal pathway for international growth.

Part of the UK’s Global Business Mobility (GBM) scheme, the UK Expansion Worker Visa is intended for companies that are not yet operational in the UK but have a viable and well-documented plan to begin trading. It allows one or more senior personnel—such as executives, specialists, or founding team members—to enter the UK temporarily to establish the new entity.

To qualify, the U.S. company must:

• Be actively trading and registered outside the UK.
• Provide evidence of a legitimate plan to set up a UK company.
• Apply for and obtain a UK sponsor license under the expansion worker category.

Once the sponsor license is granted, the U.S. company can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to a designated employee, who must then meet individual eligibility criteria—such as job role, salary level, and minimum skill requirement. The visa is typically granted for 12 months, with the possibility of extension up to 2 years. While it does not directly lead to permanent settlement, it may form part of a broader immigration strategy.

Working with a qualified UK expansion visa lawyer in the USA ensures that both the corporate and individual aspects of the application are properly addressed. From preparing business plans and registering the company to ensuring immigration compliance, a legal advisor can help avoid common pitfalls and significantly increase the chances of approval.

At our firm, we specialize in helping American businesses expand to the UK. We assist with:

• UK sponsor license applications
• Drafting and submitting business case documentation
• Advising on corporate structuring
• Supporting visa applications for expansion workers
• Managing compliance with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) standards

Whether you’re a startup seeking international presence or a large enterprise launching a strategic subsidiary, our experienced UK business immigration attorneys are here to support your growth. We provide end-to-end guidance to help you successfully apply for a UK expansion visa from America, legally establish operations in the UK, and transfer the right personnel for a successful launch.