Scale-up Worker Visa

The Scale-up Worker Visa was introduced in August 2022 as a new route for overseas workers to be employed by fast-growing UK businesses. It sits alongside the Skilled Worker route in the Points-Based System but has distinct features aimed at reducing the administrative burden on high-growth companies with rapidly changing workforce needs.

The key distinguishing feature of the Scale-up route is the unsponsored period: after completing six months working for the sponsoring scale-up employer, the worker no longer needs that employer's continued sponsorship to remain in the UK. They can work for a different employer, become self-employed, or take on multiple jobs during the remainder of their leave — a flexibility not available under the standard Skilled Worker route.

The job must be at RQF level 6 (degree level) or above, which is a higher skill requirement than the standard Skilled Worker route (which requires RQF3+). The salary threshold is £36,300 per year gross, or the going rate for the specific occupation code if that is higher. Unlike the Skilled Worker route, there is no Immigration Salary List discount or new entrant rate for Scale-up visas.

Workers must be sponsored for a genuine, eligible role with the endorsing employer. They cannot use the Scale-up route simply to enter the UK and then immediately seek other employment — the initial six-month sponsored period with the original employer must be genuine.

Not every employer can sponsor Scale-up Workers — only those that have been endorsed as a scale-up business by an approved endorsing body. The endorsement process assesses whether the business meets the growth criteria and is a genuine fast-growing company.

To qualify for endorsement, the business must demonstrate at least 20% average annual growth over the previous three years in either employees or turnover, and must have had a minimum of ten employees at the start of the three-year reference period. This growth threshold is set to focus the route on genuinely high-growth businesses rather than all employers — the majority of UK businesses will not qualify.

Endorsed scale-up businesses are listed by the Home Office, and endorsing bodies include specialist organisations recognised to assess business growth credentials. The endorsement process requires the business to submit evidence of its growth trajectory, financial accounts, and employment data. Once endorsed, the business has the right to sponsor Scale-up Workers during its endorsement period, but must continue to meet the criteria to maintain its status.

For employers that do not meet the Scale-up growth criteria, the standard Skilled Worker route remains available for roles at RQF3+ and meeting the relevant salary thresholds. There is no bar to using both routes concurrently if the employer qualifies for Scale-up status.

The Scale-up Worker application process follows the same general structure as other sponsored routes. The endorsed employer issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the worker, who then applies online for the visa. The worker must provide:

• A valid CoS reference from the endorsed employer
• Evidence that the job is at RQF level 6 or above
• Evidence that the salary meets the £36,300 minimum (or the relevant going rate)
• Proof of English language ability at B1 level or above
• Sufficient funds to support themselves (at least £1,270 held for 28 days, unless the employer certifies maintenance)

The visa is initially granted for two years. After six months employed with the sponsoring scale-up employer, the worker enters the unsponsored period and can change employment freely. They can then apply to extend their leave as a Scale-up Worker or switch to another visa category (such as Skilled Worker) if they take a job with a Skilled Worker sponsor.

Dependants (partner and children under 18) can accompany or join a Scale-up Worker in the UK. They have the same rights to work and study as the main applicant.

Time spent on the Scale-up Worker Visa counts towards the five-year qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) — settlement. To qualify for ILR after five continuous years of lawful residence, the worker must meet the standard long residence requirements, including passing the Life in the UK test and meeting an English language requirement.

During the unsponsored period of their Scale-up leave, the worker may be employed in any role — not necessarily the same occupation as their original Scale-up job. However, if they wish to count that time towards ILR under the Scale-up route rather than a general long residence route, they should ensure their employment is lawful and continuous throughout.

Workers who, during their unsponsored period, take a job with an employer who can sponsor them under the Skilled Worker route may find it advantageous to switch routes — the Skilled Worker route to ILR requires meeting the salary threshold at the point of the ILR application, whereas the Scale-up route has its own requirements. Taking specialist immigration advice about the most appropriate route to settlement is recommended for workers approaching the five-year mark.

British citizenship is available after one year of ILR through the naturalisation route, subject to meeting the standard good character and residence requirements. The total minimum time from first entry to UK citizenship via the Scale-up route is therefore around six years.