A Brief Guide to the UK Scale-Up Visa

Everything employers and applicants need to know about the UK Scale-up Visa

2022-08-30

With 47% of fast-scaling UK companies hiring skilled workers from abroad, it’s clear that the talent shortage in post-Brexit Britain is disproportionately impacting growth businesses. The Scale-up visa was introduced in 2022 by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), a wing of the Home Office, to improve access to foreign talent.

It forms part of the shake-up of immigration rules that aims to implement a points-based visa system to attract the world’s brightest and best.

How to access the Scale-up route

Eligibility Requirements:

In order to meet the requirements for the Scale-up visa, applicants will need sponsorship for a highly skilled job offer from an authorised UK scale-up company. Companies will therefore need to be verified as a registered scale-up in the UK. To register for this route, a company will need to demonstrate that they:

• Have had annual average employment or revenue growth of at least 20%
• Had a minimum of 10 employees at the start of the three-year period.

Once the company is listed as an approved scaling firm, the employee would be able to submit the visa application with the local authority provided that they:

• Are 18+
• Meet the English language requirements
• Are skilled to graduate level (RFQ 6 or higher)
• Have a Certificate of Sponsorship from your new employer with information about the offered role
• Have an appropriate salary as determined by the UK government, tied to the “going rate” based on the specific role.

New applicants must meet an minimum annual salary threshold of £36,300 per year due to the recent Statement of Changes. 

See other types of newly introduced UK Visas

Benefits of the Scale-up visa to employees:

The Scale-up visa, when approved, is valid for two years, though extensions of three years are possible. The new route is therefore a “route to settlement”, and allows that after a period of 5 continuous years in the UK, the Scale-up visa recipient would be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Unlike the Skilled Worker Visa, which is linked to the specific jobs for the validity period of the visa, the primary benefit of the Scale-up visa is that it provides more long-term flexibility. At the time of lodging the application and for the first six months after arriving in the UK, an applicant needs to be sponsored by their eligible scale-up employer in the UK. They can then transition into an unsponsored route for the remaining 18 months of the visa validity period.

Dependent partners and dependent children can join a Scale-up worker on this visa route. Their visa will end at the same time as the applicant’s.

Benefits of the Scale-up visa to employers

The obvious benefit is, of course, access to talent. This visa places less of an administrative burden on employees compared to other routes

The Scale-up visa was partly designed to prevent companies from redomiciling to other places with easier access to talent. The scheme is intended to keep London’s position as the financial capital of Europe. Fintech companies are particularly likely to benefit from the Scale-up visa.

As employees are only tied to the sponsored scheme for six months, high-growth companies can find staff with relevant experience in other scaling companies. This provides a prospective talent pool to companies who haven’t yet got their UK government-recognised scale-up credentials.

Start your scale-up journey

If your business is looking to grow in the UK, the Scale-up visa might be your best route to find the skilled workers you need.

If you require more information or need any assistance, Centuro Global can apply for the visa on your behalf and assist you in your application. Please do not hesitate to contact us.