UK Expansion Worker Visa: Document Translation Guide
The UK Expansion Worker visa lets senior or specialist staff set up a UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas business. This guide covers which documents need a certified translation for the visa application.
The UK Expansion Worker visa is part of the Global Business Mobility (GBM) routes. These routes started in April 2022 and replaced the old Representative of an Overseas Business visa. The visa lets senior managers or specialist staff of an overseas business come to the UK. Their job is to set up — or help set up — a UK branch or wholly-owned subsidiary of their overseas employer. Unlike most work visas, this one has no route to permanent settlement. Even so, it is a key route for businesses moving into the UK market.
Key Eligibility Requirement: No Existing UK Presence
The overseas business must not already have a UK branch, subsidiary, or other presence when you apply. This is what sets the Expansion Worker route apart from the Senior or Specialist Worker route, which is for UK operations that already exist. The company documents you translate must help show this "no existing UK presence" requirement.
Documents Requiring Certified Translation
The Expansion Worker visa application needs two main groups of documents. One group is about the overseas company. The other is about the person applying. Any document that is not in English must come with a certified translation.
Company Documents
Certificate of Incorporation / Company Registration
The overseas company's registration document from its home country company registry. It must show the company name, registration number, date of incorporation, and registered address. Translate it in full, including any stamps or seals.
Company Financial Accounts
Audited or certified accounts that show the overseas business really trades and can pay its way. They must show the business has been trading, not just acting as a holding company or a shell. Translate them if they are not in English.
Evidence of No Existing UK Presence
This can be a letter from the overseas company's directors. The letter confirms that no UK branch or subsidiary exists yet. Company registry searches can back it up. If the letter is in a foreign language, translate it.
Business Plan for UK Establishment
A believable business plan showing how the UK branch or subsidiary will be set up. If it is written in a foreign language, you may need a certified translation of the whole plan. UKVI has to judge whether the plan stands up.
Employment Documents
Employment Contract (Showing Senior or Specialist Role)
The applicant must work in a senior manager or specialist role. The employment contract must confirm this. If it is in a foreign language, a certified translation is essential. UKVI uses this document to check how senior or specialist the role is.
Letter from Employer Confirming Purpose of UK Assignment
A formal letter from the overseas employer. It confirms the applicant is being sent to the UK to set up the UK branch or subsidiary. Translate it if it is not in English.
Personal Documents
Qualifications
The applicant may use overseas qualifications to show specialist knowledge. If those qualifications are not in English, translate them.
Identity Documents
A birth certificate or other identity document in a foreign language needs a certified translation if you send it with the application.
The Sponsor Licence Requirement
The overseas company must get a UK sponsor licence first. Only then can it give the applicant a Certificate of Sponsorship. This is unusual. Normally a UK employer must already exist before it can get a sponsor licence. UKVI runs a separate process for overseas businesses that need a sponsor licence for the GBM routes.
The sponsor licence application needs a lot of paperwork about the overseas business. Many of these documents will be in the home country's language. They will need certified translations as part of the licence application.
| Visa Duration | Extension | Settlement Route |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 year (initial) | You can extend it — up to 2 years in total | No ILR route via Expansion Worker visa |
Costs and Turnaround
| Service | Turnaround | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Translation | 24 hours | From £17.99/page |
| Rush Translation | 8 hours | From £29.99/page |
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Expansion Worker visa different from the Senior or Specialist Worker visa?
The Senior or Specialist Worker visa is for staff moving to an existing UK company in the same group. The Expansion Worker visa is for overseas businesses that want to set up in the UK for the first time. The key rule is that no UK branch or subsidiary exists yet. Once the UK company is up and running, more staff can come on the Senior or Specialist Worker route.
Do I need to translate the entire company accounts or just a summary?
UKVI needs enough financial detail to see that the overseas business really trades and can pay its way. A full translation of the audited accounts, including the balance sheet and the profit and loss, is the strongest evidence. If the accounts are very long, ask an immigration adviser which parts UKVI looks at. In some cases a shorter certified translation of the key financial statements is accepted.
Related Services
Translate Your Expansion Worker Visa Documents
UKVI-accepted certified translations for the UK Expansion Worker visa. Company documents, employment contracts, and personal documents. From £17.99/page.
Get Instant QuoteTrusted by businesses expanding into the UK • UKVI accepted • From £17.99/page