If your international business is looking to expand into the UK and send a senior employee to set up a branch or subsidiary, you’ll likely need a UK Expansion Worker sponsor license. This license allows you to sponsor senior staff members to come to the UK for up to 12 months to establish a new presence. Before applying, it’s important to understand the responsibilities that come with holding a sponsor license. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the requirements and duties for a UK Expansion Worker sponsor license.
What is a UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence?
A UK Expansion Worker sponsor license is for overseas businesses that are not yet operating in the UK but want to send senior staff to establish a branch or subsidiary. This license is part of the “temporary worker” immigration category and is specifically for setting up a new UK operation. If your UK branch is already running, your employee should apply for a Senior or Specialist Worker visa instead.
The UK Expansion Worker route replaced the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business route in April 2022. The sponsor license is valid for four years and cannot be extended.
Eligibility Requirements for a UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence
To successfully apply for a UK Expansion Worker sponsor license, your business must meet several criteria:
- Credible Expansion Plan: You must have a clear, realistic plan to expand into the UK within two years. This plan should include financial projections and business size.
- Business Nature: Your UK expansion must involve the same type of business your company runs overseas. You can’t start a completely new business in the UK.
- UK Footprint: You must demonstrate that you’ve made preparations for the UK expansion, such as securing a lease or registering with Companies House.
- Active Overseas Trading: Your business should have been actively trading outside the UK for the last 12 months before applying.
- Minimum Salary and Visa Compliance: You must pay at least £48,500 per year (or the going rate) to your senior representative. The worker must have been employed with you for at least 12 months unless earning £73,900 or more.
- Sponsor Responsibilities: You must agree to meet all the duties and obligations required of a sponsor.
Additionally, your business should not have:
- Any unspent criminal convictions related to immigration or fraud.
- Had a sponsor license revoked in the last 12 months.
What Does a “Credible Plan” for Expansion Mean?
A credible expansion plan is vital for your application. You’ll need to prove to the Home Office that you can establish a trading presence in the UK within two years. This can include financial documents, business activity records, and growth potential. Our immigration experts can help you prepare a plan that meets these criteria.
What is a UK “Footprint”?
Before applying, your business must have a UK footprint, meaning you have made arrangements for your UK presence, such as signing a lease or registering a company. This shows that you are serious about expanding into the UK.
Key Personnel for a UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence
When you apply for the license, you must nominate the following Key Personnel to manage your sponsor duties:
- Authorising Officer (AO): This person oversees the UK expansion and ensures compliance with sponsor duties. They can be based in the UK or overseas.
- Key Contact: A person responsible for communications with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
- Level 1 User: The individual who manages your Sponsorship Management System (SMS) and ensures visa compliance. They must be based in the UK and a settled worker if your AO is UK-based.
Duties and Obligations of a UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence Holder
As a sponsor license holder, you must:
- Keep accurate records of your sponsored workers, including their visa details.
- Report any changes related to your sponsored workers to UKVI.
- Ensure that your sponsored workers have valid visas and comply with UK immigration rules.
- Follow immigration laws and ensure your actions align with public good standards.
Failure to meet these obligations could result in your license being downgraded, suspended, or revoked. This could prevent you from sponsoring future workers, and your current employees might lose their visas.
How to Apply for a UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence
To apply for a UK Expansion Worker sponsor license, you’ll need to:
- Complete the online application form.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit the required documents, such as proof of your expansion plan and UK footprint.
Once you submit your application, you should receive a decision within 8 weeks. For an additional £500, you can get a decision within 10 days.
CoS Allocation for a UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence
When your license is granted, your company will be allocated Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS). If your Authorising Officer is based in the UK, you will get an A-rating and an allocation of five CoS. If your AO is overseas, you’ll start with one CoS and a provisional license rating. Therefore, it’s beneficial to have your AO based in the UK.
A UK Expansion Worker sponsor license allows you to send senior employees to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary of your overseas business. However, it comes with significant responsibilities. To successfully apply and maintain compliance with sponsor duties, it’s essential to have the right systems in place.
For assistance with your UK Expansion Worker sponsor license application or to ensure you meet all requirements, contact Law and Visas. Our team of expert immigration lawyers will guide you through the process, help you stay compliant, and ensure the success of your UK expansion.
How Law and Visas Can Help?
At Law and Visas, our team of expert immigration consultants is here to make your travel to the UK straightforward and successful. Whether you’re applying for a UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence or an Immigrant Investor Visa, we handle every step—from preparing your application to gathering the required documents.
Our immigration lawyer consultants and Lawyers ensure that your application meets the highest standards, with no details missed. We’ll also keep you informed throughout the process, coordinating with the immigration office or embassy on your behalf.
Law and Visas has a strong record of helping clients secure the visas and permits they need for international travel. Call us today at +234 812 5505 986 to learn how we can assist you.
