Scale-up Worker Visa UK
Foreign nationals who are highly skilled and have been recruited by a scale-up business in the UK might need to apply for a UK Scale-up Worker visa.
In case of any doubt or when you require professional assistance with your UK visa application, feel free to contact our efficient immigration experts.
We are waiting for your call at +2080162308, or you can use our live chat to get started.
Foreign nationals who are highly skilled and have been recruited by a scale-up business in the UK might need to apply for a UK Scale-up Worker visa.
In case of any doubt or when you require professional assistance with your UK visa application, feel free to contact our efficient immigration experts.
We are waiting for your call at +2080162308, or you can use our live chat to get started.
What is a Scale-Up Visa?
The Scale-up Visa enables high-growth UK companies to sponsor skilled foreign nationals under a fast-track immigration route. This visa is designed to help businesses experiencing rapid growth access the global skills necessary to sustain their success.
The applicants should have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by the UK employer, who must have an active Sponsor Licence. Dependants can also accompany the principal applicant to the UK under this visa.
Scale-up visa holders can also apply after 5 years of consecutive stay in the country to receive Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which leads to permanent settlement in the UK.
To be eligible to apply for the Scale-up Worker visa in the UK, the applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
- Be a non-UK national who is 18 years old or above.
- Receive a highly skilled employment opportunity with a qualifying scale-up enterprise in the UK.
- Display the right level of skills and appropriate qualifications for the position.
- Earn a salary of at least 36,300 per year or the current rate of the particular occupation code, whichever is greater.
- Achieve the English language proficiency requirements in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension.
- Demonstrate that they have enough money to sustain themselves once they are in the UK.
- Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the UK proposed employer.
- Meet the genuineness condition by demonstrating a visible and acceptable motive to perform the sponsored job.
The UK Scale-up Worker visa application can be submitted online through the official government portal. People are generally required to make their application outside the UK, except those who are already in the UK and can switch to this category by holding another type of visa.
Candidates are expected to:
- Fill out the online application,
- Prepare and upload supporting documents.
- Submit the mandatory fees, and
- Undergo an identity check procedure.
Dependents, either a partner or children, must apply separately by lodging their applications if they want to accompany or remain with the principal applicant.
Most applicants will be required to give biometric information as part of the identity check, which comprises a facial photograph and fingerprints at a UK Visa Application Centre (VAC). In certain situations, suitable candidates can use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to verify their identity, which also requires creating or logging into a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
All documents should be thoroughly reviewed to ensure they are accurate and complete, thereby preventing delays upon submission. After application, processing times may vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances.
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To apply for a Scale-up Worker visa, the applicant must submit a bundle of supporting documents that demonstrate their eligibility. The following documents are usually needed:
- An original passport or traveling document showing the identity and nationality of the applicant.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) provided by the UK employer
- The job offer details, such as the role description, responsibilities, salary, occupation code, name of the employer, and sponsor licence number
- Documentation of sufficient requirement in the English language (e.g., accepted English test scores or academic credentials)
- Evidence that you have enough money to sustain yourself in the UK.
- Evidence of family relationships, where the dependents are applying together with the principal applicant.
- Results of Tuberculosis (TB) test, in case of applying in a country where TB testing is mandatory
Any documents should be in their original form and must be in either English or Welsh. If any document is in a language other than English, a certified translation of the same must be presented.
The UK Scale-up Worker visa applicants will pay the following fees:
- Visa Application Fee: 880 pounds
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): 1 035 per year
Maintenance Funds
You have to prove that you have at least 1270 in your bank account, unless your employer in the UK agrees to reimburse your start-up expenses. This money should be:
- Occupied for 28 days or more.
- During the 31 days before you apply for your visa
Extra Money for Dependents
In case you are bringing family members, then you would have to demonstrate extra financial resources:
- Partner/spouse: 285
- First child: 315
- Every extra child: 200
You must also have these quantities in your account for 28 consecutive days during the 31 days preceding your application.
The UK Scale-up Worker visa is initially awarded up to 2 years, where the applicant is entering the country through a sponsored route.
Once they have worked for 6 months with the sponsoring employer, visa holders can change jobs or employers without obtaining a new Certificate of Sponsorship or amending their visa.
During the last month of the first 2-year term, one may request an extension of up to 3 years, on condition that:
- You have at least 6 months of experience in the sponsored position
- You received the necessary level of earnings during at least 50 percent of your 2-year residence
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You can extend your stay in the UK if you are already in the country with a Scale-up Worker visa. You need to have at least 6 months of experience in the job named on your certificate of sponsorship, and you must have earned the required amount throughout at least half of your current visa period.
What is the good news? Your employer does not have to provide you with a new certificate of sponsorship.
Important to note: The visa of your partner or child will not extend automatically. They will need to make their applications either simultaneously with you or before the expiry of their existing visa.
Earnings Threshold
The salary you need is based on the certificate of sponsorship’s issue date:
- From 4 April 2024: No less than 36,300 pounds sterling per annum
- On or after 12 April 2023 and before 3 April 2024: Not less than 34,600 pounds per annum
- On or before 11 April 2023: At least 33,000 per annum
You also need to have been earning the qualifying salary at least half the period you have had your most recent Scale-up visa.
They only take into account PAYE income; self-employed income is not taken into consideration.
Did you have multiple jobs?
You may list more than one salary (as long as it fits the requirement), but only the highest earning one would be taken into account in case you had several jobs simultaneously.
Application Process
You should make the application online before the expiration of your existing visa. You may begin any form, save it, and finish it at a later time.
To verify your identity, you will:
- Utilise the UK Immigration: ID Check app, or
- Visit a UKVCAS service point and give biometric information (photo and fingerprints)
You will also be required to provide supporting evidence in the form of:
- Payslips
- P45s
- P60s
- Bank statements
- PAYE reference number of your employer
Decision Timeline & After You Apply
The decision is usually reached within 8 weeks, but it can be longer in case UKVI:
- Needs to verify documents
- Calls you for an interview
- Reviews personal circumstances, including criminal history
After you have submitted your application, you may be required to make changes to it. You should contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in this case.
You can withdraw your application, and you will receive a refund only if processing has not begun.
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You may be eligible to switch to the Scale-up Worker visa if you are already in the UK on another type of visa and meet the necessary conditions.
Eligibility Requirements
To change, you have to:
- Satisfy the job eligibility rules
- Be able to speak, write, read, and understand English.
It is possible to apply online before the expiry of your current visa.
You will also need to have met one of the following if you are on a current Student visa:
- Finished the course you were sponsored to do
- Begin a new job after the course
- Pursued a full-time PhD over 24 months or more
Dependents
When you change your visa status, that of your partner or child will not automatically switch. They will need to make their applications either simultaneously with you or before the expiry of their existing visa.
Who is not allowed to apply within the UK?
You cannot change to a Scale-up Worker visa in the UK when you are already on one of the following visas:
- Visit visa
- Student visa short term
- Parent of a Child Student visa
- Seasonal worker visa
- Private household worker visa
- Immigration bail
In this case, if you are on one of these, you have to leave the UK and make an application to the Scale-up Worker visa outside the UK.
Tuition and Admissions
In your application, you will be required to:
- Submit payment of the visa application fee
- Immigration healthcare surcharge pay
- Biometric details (fingerprints and photo)
- Demonstrate that you can fund yourself in the UK
The application should be submitted online, and the decision will be communicated within 8 weeks of the application. You can save your application and re-sign in to finish the application later.
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What We Offer
Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
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As a firm based in ISUK, we provide a one-stop service to individuals and businesses in the immigration system in the UK. Our team of professionals will provide you with all the necessary assistance, whether you need help with applying for a Scale-up Worker visa or require long-term immigration options.
Our services include:
- Expert guidance on eligibility and the application process of the UK visa
- Sponsorship Licence application guidance for UK employers
- Compiling and revising all the required records to make sure that they meet the Home Office standards
- Determining the business eligibility to sponsor skilled employees under the Scale-up route
- Liaising with the UK Home Office on your behalf directly
- Assistance with visa renewals, extensions, and circumstance changes
- Providing legal support in the event of visa denials or processing delays
ISUK makes the process easy with its profound understanding of UK immigration law and procedures, ensuring a hassle-free and efficient end-to-end experience.
Reach out to us now at +2080162308 or message us online; our staff is available to assist.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for a Scale-up Worker visa?
You may qualify if you are not a UK national, aged 18 or above, and have been offered a highly skilled job by a scale-up business in the UK. You must also satisfy salary levels, have a Certificate of Sponsorship, meet the English language requirement, and show you have financial stability.
Can I change to a Scale-up visa from another visa type in the UK?
Yes, you can replace the Scale-up Worker visa if you are already in the UK with another eligible visa. However, visitors, short-term students, seasonal workers, and some other visa nationals must apply outside the UK.
What is the Scale-up visa salary requirement?
The minimum salary is based on the date that your Certificate of Sponsorship was issued. By way of example, should it be granted on or after 4 April 2024, you will need to have earned at least 36,300 per year (or the current rate of pay in your job code) during at least half of your last visa stay.
Will I be able to bring my family on a Scale-up Worker visa?
Yes, your children and a partner can apply as dependents. Their visas are not automatically extended, though; should you renew yours, though, they have to apply independently before their existing visa expires.
What is the duration of validity of the Scale-up Worker visa, and is it extendable?
The first visa can be valid up to 2 years. It may be extended to 3 more years, provided you have worked at least 6 months in the sponsored job and have passed the earnings threshold for at least half of your visa period.
What documents are needed to apply for a Scale-up Worker visa?
You will require a valid passport, a Certificate of Sponsorship, copies of salary and job description, English proficiency, financial records, and biometric verification. You may also be asked to provide TB test results and documents proving your relationship with family members based on your case.
