The Scale-Up Visa: A Route to Permanent Settlement and Prosperity for Talented Professionals

The UK government has announced the introduction of the Scale Up visa, which would allow fast-growing enterprises in the UK to be more competitive and attract exceptional talent internationally.  

 The scale-up visa will assist high-growth enterprises in attracting the best personnel from around the world, such as scientists, engineers, programmers, software developers, research and development professionals, economists, architects, technicians, and financial and investment advisers.

Unlike other sponsored visas, the scale-up visa permits firms to hire highly talented workers who will be granted two years of leave to remain in the UK without the need for additional sponsorship or authorization after the first six months.

Companies, including small businesses and those in the technology and financial services sectors, that are VAT registered, have grown by 20% or more in employment or turnover year-on-year for at least 3 years and employed a minimum of 10 people at the start of the 3 years will be eligible to sponsor talented individuals through the Scale-up visa. They must also be A-rated sponsors to sponsor workers on this route.

Scale-up Visa Application Requirements

1. The applicant must have worked for the organisation for at least 6 months in a skilled position.

2. The job the applicant is being offered must be on a list of approved jobs.

2. The sponsoring employer must give them a sponsorship certificate and pay them at least £33,300 per year.

3. The applicant must be financially self-sufficient.

4. They may require a TB test that is negative.

5. They must have at least CEFR Level B1 English proficiency.

Note: The workers on the scale-up route only have to work for their sponsoring employer for 6 months, but they are not limited to working for them. Workers can use this route to extend their leave without a sponsor if they made at least £33,000 a year in PAYE income during at least half of their most recent scale-up leave in the UK.

Commenting on the development Kevin Foster, Minister for Safe and Legal Migration, said, “Through our scale-up visa, we’re enabling businesses to focus on their growth and innovation by giving them more freedom to bring in the diverse skills and experience they need, making them more attractive on an international stage.”