Scale Up Visa

A Scale-up visa allows you to come to the UK to do an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business (sometimes called a ‘scale-up business’). Your UK employer must meet specific eligibility criteria to sponsor scale-up workers.

In order to be eligible to qualify for a Scale-up Worker visa, you must satisfy the criteria. You must have a confirmed job offer to work for an approved scale-up business for at least 6 months. You must have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK. You must have a job offer to do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations. You must be paid a minimum salary in your new job. Additionally, in the instance you want to change your employer during the first 6 months of working in your sponsored job, you must apply to update your visa. And lastly like the skilled workers visa you must be able to provide evidence that you have knowledge of English.

You must apply online, how you apply will depend on your circumstances. Whether you are outside the UK and are coming to the UK. For instance, whether you are inside the UK and extending your current visa. And Lastly whether you are inside the UK and switching from a different visa. Additionally, you can include your partner and children in your application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

You can stay in the UK with a Scale-up Worker visa for 2 years. You’ll need to apply to extend your visa when it expires.

You can extend your visa as many times as you like by 3 years, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements.

If you want to stay longer in the UK After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

Getting a decision like the skilled workers visa will take place within 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK. And 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK. It’s currently taking 11 weeks on average to get a decision if you apply for a Skilled Worker visa from inside the UK. You may be able to pay to get a faster decision