If you are currently in the UK and meet the necessary criteria outlined in Appendix Global Business Mobility Routes, you can apply to switch to the UK Expansion Worker Dependant visa. This application can be submitted online via the Home Office UKVI website. If you are applying as a dependent partner, you must be 18 years of age or older at the time of your application. The process for switching to the UK Expansion Worker Dependant visa follows the guidelines set forth in Appendix Global Business Mobility Routes of the Immigration Rules. For expedited processing, you can opt for the Priority or Super Priority Service to receive a faster decision on your application.

Aden & Co Solicitors are leading experts in UK immigration law, renowned for providing top-tier legal services. Our team of fully qualified and highly experienced immigration solicitors is dedicated to offering exceptional support, as evidenced by our outstanding 5-star Google Reviews from 99% of our clients.

Our expert team of dependent visa solicitors is here to guide you with professional advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis for your application to switch to the UK Expansion Worker Dependant visa. For free online immigration advice, feel free to reach out to our specialists or book a consultation session with one of our immigration lawyers for personalized assistance with your visa application.

Which Family Members Can Qualify for Switching to the UK Expansion Worker Dependant Visa?

Certain family members of a UK Expansion Worker migrant may qualify to switch to a dependant visa. The eligible family members include:

• The spouse, civil partner, or partner (unmarried or same-sex) of the UK Expansion Worker.
• Children under the age of 18 who are the biological or adopted offspring of the UK Expansion Worker.
• Children over 18 years of age may also qualify if they were granted a dependant visa as a child under 18 and are now seeking to extend their stay.

Eligibility Criteria for Switching to the UK Expansion Worker Dependant Visa

To switch to the UK Expansion Worker Dependant Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Valid Application: The individual must submit a complete and valid application to switch to the UK Expansion Worker Dependant Visa.
• Immigration Status Compliance: The applicant must satisfy the immigration status criteria to qualify for switching to the dependant visa.
• Relationship Requirement: The applicant must demonstrate a valid relationship with the primary UK Expansion Worker, as specified in Appendix Global Business Mobility Routes of the Immigration Rules.
• Age Requirement for Partner: If the applicant is applying as a dependant partner, they must be 18 years or older at the time of application.
• Age and Care Requirements for Children: For child dependants, the applicant must be under 18 on the application date, unless they previously held a dependant visa as a child. In this case, the child must show that proper care and accommodation arrangements are in place in the UK, in accordance with UK laws and regulations.
• Suitability Requirement: The applicant must not be subject to refusal under Part 9 (Grounds for Refusal) of the Immigration Rules.
• Financial Requirement: The applicant must fulfill the financial criteria outlined in Appendix Global Business Mobility Routes of the Immigration Rules.
• Compliance with Immigration Laws: The applicant must not be in violation of UK immigration laws, except in cases where Paragraph 39E applies, allowing some leeway for overstayers. Furthermore, the applicant must not be under immigration bail.

Who is Ineligible to Switch to the UK Expansion Worker Dependant Visa?

To be eligible for the UK Expansion Worker Dependant Visa, the applicant must be physically present in the UK at the time of application. Furthermore, they must not have been granted, or currently hold, permission to stay under the following categories:

• Visitor Visa
• Short-term Student Visa
• Parent of a Child Student Visa
• Seasonal Worker Visa
• Domestic Worker in a Private Household Visa
• Any visa status outside the Immigration Rules

Relationship Requirements for the Dependent Partner of a UK Expansion Worker

The applicant must be the partner of a UK Expansion Worker sponsor. One of the following conditions must apply:

• The sponsoring UK Expansion Worker holds a valid UK Expansion Worker Visa; or
• The sponsoring UK Expansion Worker is simultaneously applying for (and has been granted) entry clearance under the UK Expansion Worker route.

If the applicant and their UK Expansion Worker partner are not married or in a civil partnership, they must meet the following conditions:

• They must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years before the application date.
• Any previous relationship of the applicant or their UK Expansion Worker partner must have permanently ended.
• The applicant and their partner must not share a close familial relationship that would prevent them from marrying or entering a civil partnership under UK law.

It is essential that the relationship between the applicant and the UK Expansion Worker partner is genuine and ongoing. Additionally, both must intend to live together throughout the duration of the applicant’s stay in the UK.

Relationship Requirements for a Dependent Child of a UK Expansion Worker

To qualify as a dependent child of a UK Expansion Worker, the applicant must be the child of a visa holder under the UK Expansion Worker category, and one of the following conditions must apply:

• The sponsoring UK Expansion Worker holds valid permission under the UK Expansion Worker route.
• The sponsoring UK Expansion Worker is simultaneously applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission under the UK Expansion Worker route.

Furthermore, both of the child’s parents must either be applying for UK permission simultaneously with the applicant or already have permission to remain in the UK (excluding visitors). However, exemptions may apply in the following cases:

• The parent applying for entry clearance or permission as a UK Expansion Worker is the child’s only surviving parent.
• The parent applying for entry clearance or permission as a UK Expansion Worker has sole responsibility for the child’s upbringing.
• The parent who does not hold UK Expansion Worker status is either:
  • A British citizen or someone entitled to reside in the UK without restrictions.
  • Ordinarily resident in the UK, or the decision-maker is satisfied there are compelling reasons to grant the child entry clearance or permission to stay with the UK Expansion Worker parent.

In cases where the child was born in the UK to a UK Expansion Worker or their partner, the applicant must provide a full UK birth certificate listing both parents’ names.

Age and Care Requirements for a Dependent Child

The applicant must be under 18 years of age at the time of application, unless they were previously granted permission as the dependent of their parent(s). If the child is 16 or older at the time of application, they must not be living independently.

For applicants under 18, there must be adequate arrangements in place for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK. These arrangements must meet all relevant UK legal and regulatory standards.

Financial Requirements for UK Expansion Worker and Dependants

To meet the financial requirements for the UK Expansion Worker visa or for dependants accompanying the UK Expansion Worker, applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves while in the UK.

If the applicant has been lawfully residing in the UK for 12 months or more at the time of their visa application, they are not required to show proof of available funds, as they will automatically meet the financial requirement.

However, if the applicant has not been in the UK for at least 12 months, the required maintenance funds for UK Expansion Worker dependant visas are as follows:

These funds must have been available for at least 28 consecutive days, with the 28th day falling within 31 days of the visa application submission.

Additionally, there may be no need to show personal funds if the UK Expansion Worker’s A-rated sponsor certifies their commitment to maintain and accommodate the dependent partner and/or children, as well as the UK Expansion Worker, up until the end of the first month of each individual’s granted permission to stay in the UK.

Fixed Fees for UK Expansion Worker Dependant Visa Applications

At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer transparent and competitive fixed fees for dependant visa applications. Our services are designed to ensure a smooth transition for individuals applying for dependant visas under various circumstances. Below is a detailed breakdown of our fees:

The fixed fee for your application will be determined based on its complexity and the amount of casework involved. Please note, in addition to our fixed fees, applicants are also responsible for the Home Office UKVI fees associated with their visa application.