UK EXPANSION WORKER VISA FOR RESIDENTS OF SWITZERLAND

The Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Visa allows senior managers and specialist employees in Switzerland to relocate temporarily to the UK for roles related to expanding a Swiss business into the UK. The UK Expansion Worker Visa, which is open to both Swiss citizens and non-Swiss citizens residing in Switzerland, allows sponsors to assign up to 5 workers to the UK at a time.

The UK Expansion Worker route is specifically for businesses not yet trading in the UK. If your business is already trading, you should consider the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker Visa. If you're interested in setting up or own an existing UK business, the Skilled Worker visa via self-sponsorship may be applicable.

To qualify for a UK Expansion Worker Visa from Switzerland, you must be sponsored for a specific job meeting defined skill and salary criteria by a Home Office-licensed employer. We have a separate page for employers on the requirements for a UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence.

Requirements for a UK Expansion Worker Visa for a Swiss Citizen (or non-Swiss Citizen) in Switzerland

To qualify for a UK Expansions Worker visa from Switzerland, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that you:

• Age: Are aged 18 or over.

• Employment Link: Currently work for a business linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control.

• Overseas Work: Have worked outside the UK for this business for a cumulative period of at least 12 months, unless exempt as a high earner (£73,900 per year or more), a Japanese national under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or an Australian national or permanent resident under the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

• Certificate of Sponsorship: Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from your UK sponsor for the intended job.

• Genuine Job: Are sponsored for a genuine job at an appropriate skill level.

• Job Skill Level: Are employed in a job skilled to at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent).

• Salary: Will receive a salary that meets or exceeds £48,500 per year and the ‘going rate’ for the occupation.

• Financial Support: Have sufficient funds to support yourself without relying on public funds.

The exact requirements you will need to satisfy in order to qualify for a UK Expansion Worker visa in Switzerland may vary depending on your personal circumstances, For expert immigration advice, we recommend consulting a specialist UK immigration law firm.

UK Expansion Worker Visa Overseas Work Requirement for Swiss Citizens (and non-Swiss Citizens) Establishing a Business in the UK

If you are a Swiss citizen (or non-Swiss citizen) residing in Switzerland, you are applying for a UK Expansion Worker visa to establish a business in the UK and your salary is below £73,900 per year, you must have worked outside the UK for your sponsor for at least 12 months. This can include periods of statutory leave.

Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) Requirement for Swiss Employees (and non-Swiss Employees) Establishing a Branch or Subsidiary in the UK

If you are a resident of Switzerland and you are planning to apply for a UK Expansion Worker visa from Switzerland in order to establish a branch or subsidiary in the UK, you will need a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by a UK Home Office-authorised employer under the UK Expansion Worker route. Your UK sponsor must be listed as A-rated on the Home Office’s register, unless you are continuing with the same sponsor from a previous UK Expansion Worker visa.

The CoS must be issued within 3 months of your application and include:

• Your details (name, job, salary).

• Confirmation of your overseas employment for at least 12 months, unless exempt.

• A start date within 3 months of application.

• Confirmation it has not been used in a prior application.

UK Expansion Worker Genuine Job Requirement

Your sponsored job must be genuine. The Home Office will refuse applications suspected of sham roles or created solely for visa purposes. It must not involve temporary or permanent positions with third parties not sponsoring you.

Job Skill Level Requirement for a UK Expansion Worker Visa from Switzerland

If you are applying for a UK Expansion Worker visa from Switzerland in order to expand your Swiss business in the UK, your job must be skilled to at least RQF Level 6. A list of eligible jobs is provided in Appendix Skilled Occupations to the UK Immigration Rules.

Salary Requirement for Swiss Residents Applying for a UK Expansion Worker Visa

In order to qualify for a UK Expansion Worker visa, Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) residing in Switzerland must be planning to earn at least £48,500 per year and the ‘going rate’ for your job’s occupation code. The assessment includes guaranteed basic gross pay plus allowances like London weighting or a mobility premium.

Financial Requirement for Swiss Residents

Residents of Switzerland applying for a UK Expansion Worker visa to expand a Swiss business in the UK need £1,270 in cash funds held for 28 consecutive days, ending no more than 31 days before applying, unless exempt due to existing UK permission exceeding 12 months.

English Language Requirement for Residents of Switzerland

There is no English language requirement for the UK Expansion Worker Visa.

Switching into the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker Route

Swiss passport holders (and non-Swiss passport holders) can switch into the UK Expansion Worker route from within the UK unless currently under Visitor, Short-term student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, or Domestic Worker status.

Duration of Stay on a UK Expansion Worker Visa

Successful applicants for a UK Expansion Worker visa from Switzerland receive up to 1 year from the job start date or CoS duration plus 14 days. Extensions are possible up to a total of 2 years.

Maximum Time in Global Business Mobility Routes

You can spend up to 5 years in any 6-year period on Global Business Mobility visas.

Conditions of Stay for Swiss Employees Setting up a New Business in the UK

Permitted activities include working for your sponsor, studying, and volunteering. Public funds access is prohibited.

Settlement in the UK as a UK Expansion Worker

The UK Expansion Worker Visa does not lead directly to settlement. Switch to routes like Skilled Worker or Innovator Founder for settlement eligibility.

Dependants of UK Expansion Workers from Switzerland

UK Expansion Worker visa holders from Switzerland can bring a partner over 18 and dependent children under 18 to the UK.

UK Expansion Worker Sponsor Licence Application for a UK Business Linked to a Swiss Business

To sponsor under this route, your UK business must demonstrate:

• Existing UK presence.

• Qualifying links to an overseas business.

• Suitable personnel for licence management.

• Compliance with sponsor duties.

Applicants under the UK Expansion Worker category must show intent and capability to establish a UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK visa and immigration services for Swiss nationals (and non-Swiss nationals) residing in Switzerland encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, along with a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland.

Our experienced team assists businesses of all sizes in securing UK Expansion Worker visas and sponsor licences in order to expand their business operations into the UK. We provide clear guidance through complex immigration rules to ensure compliance and successful applications.

We prioritise clear communication and proactive service, offering reliable immigration advice tailored to meet your business needs effectively. For consultations or enquiries, contact our business immigration team at +41 21 588 07 70 or through our enquiry form below.