Why your immigration plan should come first
If you’re setting up a UK branch, a wholly owned subsidiary, or a new company under your brand, immigration planning should run in parallel with tax, corporate structuring, and regulatory due diligence. The right route affects who can relocate, when they can start, whether family can join, and how soon they can obtain settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).
During our consultation, we align your business objectives and personal goals with a visa strategy that supports both, before you incorporate, hire, or sign leases.
The main routes at a glance
UK Expansion Worker
- Best for: Established overseas companies sending senior staff to open a UK branch/subsidiary
- Trading status in the UK: Not yet trading
- Settlement: No direct ILR (max 2 years)
- Family permitted: Yes
Skilled Worker
- Best for: UK entities hiring overseas talent (including your global team)
- Trading status in the UK: UK entity with a sponsor licence
- Settlement: Yes, typically after 5 years
- Family permitted: Yes
Self‑Sponsorship (via Skilled Worker)
- Best for: Owners/shareholders sponsoring themselves through their UK company
- Trading status in the UK: UK company holds a sponsor licence
- Settlement: Yes, typically after 5 years
- Family permitted: Yes
Innovator Founder
- Best for: Entrepreneurs with innovative, viable, scalable ventures
- Trading status in the UK: Innovative venture with endorsement
- Settlement: Yes, eligible after 3 years
- Family permitted: Yes
Global Talent
- Best for: Leaders or emerging leaders in tech, academia/research, or arts/culture
- Trading status in the UK: Independent of a specific employer
- Settlement: Yes, in as little as 3 years (route-dependent)
- Family permitted: Yes
Tip: You can often sequence routes e.g., start under UK Expansion Worker to establish presence, then transition to Skilled Worker for longer-term growth and a path to settlement.
1) UK Expansion Worker
For established overseas businesses (commonly 3+ years’ track record) that haven’t started trading in the UK, this route lets you send senior managers or specialists to set up operations.
Highlights
- Purpose-built for pre-trading UK entities.
- Initial permission up to 12 months, extendable to a maximum of 2 years.
- Doesn’t lead directly to ILR.
- Includes dependants (partner and children).
Choose this if
- You need to plant a flag in the UK quickly, with trusted senior staff who understand the parent company.
- You plan to switch to long-term sponsorship (e.g., Skilled Worker) once trading begins.
Read more about the UK Expansion Worker route →
2) Skilled Worker Visa
The backbone of UK business immigration. Once your UK company holds a sponsor licence, you can issue Certificates of Sponsorship to hire eligible workers in a wide range of roles across sectors (tech, finance, engineering, healthcare, education, and more).
Highlights
- Direct path to ILR after 5 years (subject to requirements).
- Role flexibility: change roles/employers (with new sponsorship), do eligible supplementary work, or study.
- Includes dependants with full work/study rights.
- Suitable even for early-stage companies that can evidence genuine activity and compliance capability.
Choose this if
- You’re building or scaling a UK team and want a clear, compliant route for ongoing recruitment.
Read more about the Skilled Worker visa →
3) Self-Sponsorship (via Skilled Worker)
Not a separate visa category—this is a structured solution where the UK company you own or partly own obtains a Skilled Worker sponsor licence and sponsors you in an eligible role.
Highlights
- No dependency on an external employer or job offer.
- Keep control of your business and career.
- Path to ILR after 5 years (subject to salary, role, residence).
- Includes dependants with full rights.
Choose this if
- You have (or are setting up/acquiring) a UK company and your hands-on leadership is essential to growth.
Read more about the Self-Sponsorship pathway →
4) Innovator Founder Visa
For entrepreneurs with innovative, viable, and scalable business ideas. You’ll first secure endorsement from a Home Office–approved body, then apply for the visa.
Highlights
- Endorsement-led credibility and guidance.
- Accelerated ILR: eligible after 3 years.
- Freedom to pivot, launch multiple ventures, or take other employment after endorsement.
- Includes dependants.
Choose this if
- Your business proposition is clearly innovative and designed to scale—with market evidence and a strong plan.
Read more about the Innovator Founder visa →
5) Global Talent Visa
For leaders and emerging leaders across Digital Technology, Academia/Research, and Arts & Culture. This is also an endorsement-led route, and you don’t need a prior UK job offer.
Highlights
- Work for any employer, be self-employed, found a start-up, or mix all three.
- Potential ILR in as little as 3 years (route-dependent).
- Includes dependants.
Choose this if
- Your portfolio shows recognised achievements and you want maximum flexibility to contribute in the UK.
Read more about the Global Talent visa →
Choosing the right route: quick decision cues
- “We’re not trading in the UK yet, but need senior people on the ground.”
Start with the UK Expansion Worker; plan your Skilled Worker framework next. - “We’ve set up the UK entity and need to hire internationally.”
Go for a sponsor licence and use Skilled Worker. - “I’m the founder and must relocate to run the UK company.”
Explore Self-Sponsorship (Skilled Worker) or Innovator Founder (if the venture is innovative and endorsable), and if eligible, consider Global Talent first. - I’m a recognised expert/leader with a strong track record of success (national or international, where relevant), and I want flexibility.
Consider Global Talent.
How we help (end-to-end)
- Strategy first: We map your market-entry structure (branch, subsidiary, or newco), to the optimal visa route(s).
- Readiness check: Audit, sponsor-licence readiness, compliance framework, role mapping, and family planning.
- Execution: Incorporation support, licence application, endorsements, and visa filings.
- Aftercare: Route sequencing, switching, extensions, and ILR planning.
Note: Immigration rules evolve. We’ll ensure your plan reflects the latest guidance and your business reality at the time of application.
Next steps
If you’re considering any of these routes -or a hybrid strategy- book a consultation. We’ll review your business model, timelines, and relocation goals, then propose a clear, compliant route-map tailored to you and your team.
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Always obtain tailored advice before taking action.
Do I need to incorporate my UK company before applying for a sponsor licence?
You’ll need a UK entity with genuine activity and appropriate key personnel to manage sponsorship.
Can my family join me?
For the routes above, partners and dependent children can usually join with full work and study rights (route-specific rules apply). Only Skilled Worker Visas in the Temporary Shortage List and Care Worker Visas do not permit the addition of family members.
Does the UK Expansion Worker Visa give ILR rights?
UK Expansion Worker itself doesn’t lead to ILR, but once trading begins, your UK entity can sponsor you under Skilled Worker, which can lead to ILR after 5 years.
Is “self-sponsorship” officially recognised?
The term describes a lawful use of the Skilled Worker route where your own UK company sponsors you. It’s not a separate visa but a legitimate structure when eligibility and compliance are met.
How fast can an Innovator Founder lead to settlement?
Subject to meeting criteria, you may be eligible for ILR after 3 years.
I’m a founder with a strong track record, Innovator Founder or Global Talent?
If your advantage is a distinctive, scalable venture, Innovator Founder may fit. If your edge is personal acclaim/impact in your field, Global Talent could offer more flexibility.
How do you issue a CoS?
Request a Defined CoS (overseas applicants) via SMS or use your Undefined allocation (in-country). Defined CoS decisions usually take one working day. CoS fee £525; ISC also payable (where applicable).
What are the financial requirements for applicants?
Usually £1,270 in personal savings for 28 days (unless exempt), plus application fee and IHS (unless on Health & Care).
