UK Scale-Up Visa

The UK Scale-Up Visa, introduced on 22 August 2022, is designed to support fast-growing UK businesses by attracting highly skilled professionals from across the globe. This visa enables foreign nationals to work in eligible roles for scale-up businesses for a minimum of six months. A key feature of this route is the flexibility it provides: after the initial six months with your sponsor, you can switch to an unsponsored role without needing a new employer sponsor.

What You Can Do with a UK Scale-Up Visa

Holders of the Scale-Up Visa are entitled to:

• Stay for up to 2 years, with the option to extend for an additional 3 years. After 5 continuous years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

• Work for your sponsor in the job listed on your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) for the first 6 months, then switch freely to another job or employer.

• Undertake courses of study.

• Engage in self-employment or voluntary work.

• Bring your partner and children as dependents, provided they meet eligibility criteria.

• Travel abroad and return to the UK during your visa validity.

• Apply for permanent residency (ILR) after 5 years if eligibility conditions are satisfied.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the UK Scale-Up Visa, applicants must:

• Hold a confirmed job offer from an approved scale-up business for at least 6 months.

• Obtain a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

• Have a role on the list of eligible occupations.

• Earn a minimum salary of £33,000 per year, £10.10 per hour, or the applicable “going rate,” whichever is higher.

• Meet the English language requirement, either by:

  • Passing an approved English test at CEFR level B1 or higher.

  • Holding a degree taught in English.

  • Being from an eligible English-speaking country.

• Show proof of financial stability, with at least £1,270 in savings, held for 28 consecutive days before applying.

English Language Requirement

Applicants can satisfy this requirement if they:

• Are nationals of an eligible English-speaking country, or

• Have completed a degree-level qualification taught in English, or

• Hold a UK-recognised school qualification gained while under 18, or

• Pass a recognised English test at CEFR level B1 or above.

Application Processing Time

After submitting your application, verifying your identity, and uploading documents, you will typically receive a decision within:

• 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK.

• 8 weeks if applying from within the UK.