Scale Up Visa UK Overview

The scale up visa UK was introduced to reduce the hiring barriers for scale-up businesses by helping them attract global talent. This helped boost innovation and productivity in the UK economy. The scaleup visa is for skilled workers who get a job offer in the UK from a fast-growing UK business and for businesses who are experiencing rapid growth. The UK scale up visa is also for industries such as technology, fintech, life sciences, and green energy to meet the talent demands of these dynamic sectors.  

Key Features and Benefits of the Scale up Visa 

The following are the features and benefits of the scale-up visa: 

• Fast-track route to UK employment with sponsorship requirement for only 6 months 
• Provides work flexibility with the ability to switch jobs, become self-employed, or work for multiple employers 
• Requires no sponsorship after 6 months, unlike the Skilled Worker Visa  
• Provides a pathway to settlement (ILR) after 5 years 
• Allows dependent family members to join the main applicant  

Eligibility Criteria for the Scale up Visa 

The following are the eligibility criteria for the UK scale up visa:  

• Job Offer Requirement: Must be from a UK-registered scale-up company with a minimum 6-month contract
• Salary Threshold: £36,300 per year or 15.88 per hour
• Skill Level Requirement: RQF Level 6 – Graduate-level job
• English Language Requirement: B1 level or equivalent
• Financial Requirement: Proof of funds of £1,270 in savings for 28 days

What is a Scale-up Company?  

A fast-growing business in the UK that helps boost innovation and economic growth is called a scale up company. To qualify as a scale up, a business must have a growth of at least 20% each year in either revenue or employee count over the last three years. Also, the business must have had at least 10 employees at the start of that period. 

The industries which benefit from the scale-up visa include Tech, AI, Finance and Life Sciences as these sectors have a strong need for skilled workers. To hire international talent through the scale-up visa, businesses can qualify through the Standard Pathway, where the growth criteria are verified through HMRC records. If the business is new but has a strong potential for growth, it can qualify through the Endorsing Body Pathway. 

Scale-up Visa Sponsorship & Employer Requirements 

Any company in the UK that meets the qualifying scale-up sponsor criteria can sponsor a scaleup visa. To obtain a scale-up sponsor licence, a company must apply online through the UK Home Office sponsorship system and submit relevant documents. Also, the business must qualify under one of the two routes, i.e. Standard Pathway or Endorsing Body Pathway, to sponsor a licence. To find companies that offer scale-up visa UK sponsorship, check the Home Office’s official Register of Licenced Sponsors, which lists all employers authorised to sponsor workers under various visa routes.  

Application Process for a Scale-up Visa  

The following is the step-by-step guidance of the application process of the scale up visa UK.  

• Step 1: Secure a job offer from an eligible scale-up company 
• Step 2: Gather required documents, including a Passport, Certificate of Sponsorship, job offer letter, proof of salary, English proficiency  
• Step 3: Submit an online application to the UK home office Application portal. The application fee is £880, and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee is £1,035 per year.  
• Step 4: Attend a biometric appointment 
• Step 5: The visa application is processed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The typical processing times are 3 weeks for applications from outside the UK and 8 weeks within the UK.  
• Step 6: If approved, the worker receives a visa vignette (a sticker in their passport) or a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) upon arrival in the UK.  

Fees & Associated Costs 

The fees and associated costs for the scale up visa UK is given below:  

• The visa application fee is £880 
• The Health Surcharge (IHS) fee is £1035 per year  
• The financial fund requirement is £1270 for 28 days in a row 

Bringing Your Family (Partner & Children Rules) 

For a scale up visa UK, the spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, or children under the age of 18 of the main applicants qualify as a dependent. The dependent family members can submit a separate visa application and show that they have enough money to support themselves.  

The financial requirement for dependents is as follows:  

• £285 for a partner 
• £315 for one child 
• £200 for each additional child 

If the main applicant switches to another visa route, their dependents must also switch their visa status so that they can remain legally in the UK.  

Duration, Extensions & Changing Employers 

The duration, extensions & employer flexibility for the scale up visa UK is given below:  

Switching to the Scale-up Visa from Other UK Visas 

Any individual can switch to the scale-up worker visa from within the UK if they already have a valid visa such as Skilled Worker, Graduate, Global Talent, or similar long-term routes. Individuals on a visit visa, short-term student visa, seasonal worker visa, or other temporary visa routes cannot switch to scale up worker visa.  

For switching to the scale-up visa the application is submitted online at the UK home office. Individuals are required to verify their identity, either through the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by attending an appointment at a UKVCAS service point.   

Success Rate & Common Reasons for Rejection 

Visa applications that meet all the requirements and documentations are likely to be approved. Here are a few reasons for the rejection of scale-up visa UK: 

• Incorrect or incomplete documents 
• Not meeting salary or skill level requirements 
• Failing the English language test 
• Insufficient maintenance funds 
• Applying with a non-qualifying employer 

UK Scale-up Visa vs Other UK Work Visas 

Finding Jobs & Companies Offering Scale-up Visa Sponsorship 

The UK Home Office provides a list of approved companies in the Register of Licenced Sponsors. This list assists in finding organisations authorised to sponsor workers under various visa routes, including the scale-up worker visa. However, the list does not separately categorise scale-up sponsors, so applicants must check directly with employers regarding scale-up sponsorship availability. 

How Sunrise Solicitors Can Help 

Sunrise Solicitors provides expert guidance to ensure your eligibility for the scale up visa UK. Our team of expert lawyers help you with your visa application and can assist you in document preparation and compliance checks. We also offer professional support for handling visa refusals and appeals. Sunrise Solicitors is dedicated to your success and is here to guide you every step of the way. Contact us today for reliable legal assistance. 

FAQs About the Scale-up Visa 

Can I apply for a Scale-up Visa without a job offer? 

No, you cannot apply for a scale-up visa without a valid job offer.  

How do I check if my employer qualifies as a scale-up business? 

You can visit the Home Office’s Register of Licenced Sponsors or confirm directly with your employer to check if they are licenced for the scale-up worker route. 

Can I bring my dependents on this visa? 

Yes, you can.  

What happens if I switch jobs before 6 months? 

If you switch your job before 6 months, you must apply to update your visa.  

How long does it take to get a Scale-up Visa? 

The processing time for the scale up visa is 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks from within the UK.  

Can I apply for ILR after 5 years with a Scale-up Visa? 

Yes, you can.