Scale-up Visa
A business-oriented program for highly skilled professionals to join a fast-growing UK business. Founders and entrepreneurs looking to join a fast-growing business in the UK.
A Scale-up visa is applied by a business where you are able to demonstrate that in the last 3 years, your annual growth is more than 20% either in employments or turnover.
The program route is usually within technology, fintech, life sciences, AI, engineering, and other fast-growing companies in the UK.
If you cannot meet those requirements, the alternative process is through an application to an Endorsing Body & must issue an endorsement letter prior applying for the sponsor licence.
The immigration program permits you as a business to bring in talented professionals to work for the business & support in its growth.
The standard occupational code that can be used for this program is set out on the Home Office website.
Requirements of the sponsor licence & endorsement application
The licence is required for you as a business to sponsor a foreign national on the program.
If you as a business have participated in Government programs or receipt of funding, this can permit you to apply for the sponsor licence under the scale-up route.
This can include as follows:
- Recognised scale-up programme, such as Innovate UK EDGE or DCMS Creative Scale-up.
- Received an Innovate UK loan or grant.
- Participated in the Small Business Research Initiative.
Furthermore, if you have raised a minimum of £1 million in equity finance in a single round in the 12 months immediately before the date of application to the endorsing body – this can support your application.
Other requirements, such as holding global offices and R&D investments would be considered.
Applying for a Scale-up Visa
When applying for the program, the foreign national would be required to provide a certificate of sponsorship (CoS. Salary requirements including English language are required to be met.
As part of the Home Office requirements, checks will be made to ensure that the foreign national is able to undertake the role as described and have the level of commercial & academic experience to undertake the role.
Program details
The initial grant for the scale-up visa is for 2 years, however after 6 months, the foreign national no longer part of the sponsorship requirements. This means, they can continue to work for you but do not require to be sponsored.
Prior to the completion of the 2 years program grant, the foreign national can apply to extend and complete the 5 years required to apply for ILR.