The Immigration Rules changed on 3 August 2026 following Statement of Changes HC 259, laid before Parliament on 9 July. For the UK Expansion Worker route, the amendment was relatively narrow: it changed the validity wording for in-country applications so that the exceptions for overstayers in Part Suitability can apply both to breaches of immigration law and to immigration bail.

The salary threshold, application fee and core purpose of the route did not change. Our overview of the 2026 UK immigration rule updates places the amendment in the wider immigration changes.

What changed on 3 August?

Issue	Current position
In-country validity	Part Suitability overstayer exceptions can apply to both immigration-law breaches and immigration bail
Main applicant	UKX 2.2 was amended
Dependants	UKX 15.2 was amended
Transitional protection	The Global Business Mobility amendments were not included in the list protected for applications made before 3 August
Salary threshold	Unchanged at £52,500 or the applicable going rate, whichever is higher
Application fee	£340

HC 259 expressly provides transitional protection for certain other changes, allowing applications made before 3 August to be considered under the Rules in force on 2 August. The Global Business Mobility changes are not included in that protected list.

For applications already submitted before 3 August, that distinction matters. However, the UK Expansion Worker amendment is generally beneficial because it widens the circumstances in which an in-country application may satisfy the validity requirements.

The main UK Expansion Worker requirements

A UK Expansion Worker must be a senior manager or specialist employee of an overseas business establishing a UK presence that has not yet begun trading in the UK.

The applicant must normally earn at least £52,500 a year or the full going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher. The visa application fee is £340 and the Immigration Health Surcharge is usually £1,035 for each year of permission. Applicants normally also need £1,270 in maintenance funds unless an exemption applies.

Businesses comparing structures should read our guide to the Expansion Worker route and self sponsorship and the wider self sponsorship guide.

The route initially permits a stay of up to 12 months and can be extended, subject to a maximum of two years on the UK Expansion Worker route. It does not provide a direct route to settlement.

Check your sponsorship capacity

The previous five-worker limit is no longer current. Since July 2025, the route has allowed a sponsor with a provisional rating to assign one Certificate of Sponsorship to its overseas Authorising Officer. Once that person obtains permission and the licence is upgraded to an A-rating, the sponsor can request up to nine additional Certificates of Sponsorship.

Businesses should also review sponsored worker salary compliance and ensure the salary stated on each Certificate of Sponsorship meets the current rules.

Plan beyond the two-year limit

Because the route is temporary, businesses should decide early what happens once the UK operation is trading. Depending on the circumstances, a move to Skilled Worker sponsorship may be appropriate.

Longer-term planning should also account for changes discussed in the shift to ten year settlement, the B2 English requirement and the move to eVisas.

Frequently asked questions

Has the UK Expansion Worker salary threshold changed?

No. It remains £52,500 or the applicable going rate, whichever is higher.

How many workers can an expansion sponsor bring to the UK?

Once the licence is A-rated, the sponsor can request up to nine additional Certificates of Sponsorship after the initial certificate assigned to the overseas Authorising Officer.

Does the UK Expansion Worker visa lead to settlement?

No. The route itself does not lead directly to settlement.

Can a refusal be appealed?

There is generally no statutory right of appeal for an ordinary UK Expansion Worker refusal. Administrative review may be available where a caseworking error is alleged; see administrative review rights.

Businesses can read the full Statement of Changes HC 259 and current Expansion Worker guidance. For advice on applications or sponsor planning, Speak to our business immigration team.