The Scale-up Visa was launched on 22 August 2022 to help fast-growing UK businesses attract skilled workers from around the world. This new visa route is designed to support businesses with high growth potential by making it easier to recruit talented employees.
The Scale-up visa is a points-based system that allows businesses with the right qualifications to sponsor workers. Only companies that meet certain criteria can become Scale-up Visa sponsors.
What is the Scale-up Visa?
The Scale-up Visa is specifically for employees of businesses that are licensed sponsors. These businesses must show they are growing rapidly and can offer employees a pathway to work in the UK.
A key feature of the Scale-up Visa is the flexibility it offers employees. After just 6 months, employees can change jobs without needing to apply for a new visa. This makes the visa more flexible than other routes, such as the Skilled Worker visa, where workers are tied to their sponsor. For employers, the sponsorship duties also end after 6 months.
This visa also allows employees to study while they work in the UK. They can bring their dependents with them and have the option to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after meeting the requirements.
What Are the Requirements for a Business to Become a Scale-up Sponsor?
To become a Scale-up Visa sponsor, a business must meet two main criteria:
- Growth: The business must show at least 20% annual growth in both revenue and staff for the last 3 years.
- Size: The business must have at least 10 employees at the start of this 3-year growth period.
Once the business qualifies, it can apply to become a licensed sponsor through the Home Office website. Once approved, the business can assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to a new employee.
Requirements for Employees Applying for the Scale-up Visa
Employees wishing to apply for the Scale-up Visa must meet these eligibility criteria:
- Be 18 years or older.
- Have a job offer at the graduate level.
- Be paid a salary of at least £33,000 per year, or the going rate for the job (whichever is higher).
- Be able to speak English at CEFR B1 level or higher.
- Show they have enough money to support themselves while in the UK. This usually means having at least £1,270 in personal savings.
The cost to apply for the visa is £715, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge unless exempt.
Duration and Extension of the Scale-up Visa
The Scale-up Visa is initially granted for 2 years. After this time, employees can extend their visa for 3 more years. To extend the visa, they don’t need to stay with the same employer, but they must show that they earned at least £33,000 per year for at least 50% of the time during the first visa period.
After living in the UK for 5 years on the Scale-up Visa, the employee may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), as long as they meet the relevant requirements.
Benefits of the Scale-up Visa
The Scale-up Visa offers several advantages for both employers and employees:
- For Employers: It allows companies with rapid growth to hire talented workers from abroad, without being tied to long sponsorship commitments.
- For Employees: It offers flexibility, allowing workers to change employers after 6 months and eventually apply for ILR after 5 years.
Overall, the Scale-up Visa is an attractive route for workers who want to live and work in the UK while providing a valuable solution for businesses needing skilled employees to fuel their growth.
If you’re a business looking to apply for a Scale-up Visa sponsor license or need advice about the process, Law and Visas can help guide you through every step of the way.
