Scale-up Worker Visa is for foreign workers to come to the United Kingdom to do an eligible job for rapidly growing business in the UK. Such businesses are called scale-up businesses. 

The Scale-up Worker Visa was launched on 22 Aug 2022. The aim of introducing this visa is to assist UK businesses that are flourishing quickly in hiring the best-skilled labour from worldwide. Thus, it would help to accelerate the growth of the company further. But for sponsoring the scale-up workers, the company needs to fulfil the criteria of being a scale-up business. 

What is Scale-Up Business?

A Scale-up Business, which three years before gaining approval for sponsor license;

• must have grown by 20 per cent each year in total sales (turnover) or employment. 

• minimum of 10 employees at the outset of 3 years.

Scale-up Worker Visa Requirements

Furthermore, scale-up workers are required to work for a minimum of six months. All requirements for this visa are listed below.

• The offered job should be on the list of eligible occupations.

• Job offer by an approved scale-up business.

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from the employer.

• Meet minimum salary requirement; 10 GBP per hour or 33,000 GBP per year.

• English language requirements; passed CEFR level B1 or higher, degree taught in English, school level study at UK school, from an eligible country.

• Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from an employer.

• Sufficient funds; have 1,270 GBP in your bank account or hold them for 28 consecutive days before applying. No need for this if you have already been in the UK for one or more years.

When and How to Apply

In case you fulfil eligibility criteria, apply for this visa online. Apply three months before starting to work in the UK. 

During 6 months stay

You cannot change your employer during your stay. But if starting a different and eligible job with the same employer, there's no need to update your visa. 

After 6 months

Options after six months are;

• Continue the same job.

• Stop doing or changing jobs without informing the Home Office.

• Get self-employed.

Scale-up Worker Visa Sponsored Route and Unsponsored Route

This visa allows holder workers to leave their sponsored job after six months and switch to an unsponsored job. It is one of the unique features of this visa. 

Scale-up Worker Visa Duration

You can stay for the duration of 2 years in the UK.

Extension After 2 years' stay
After two years, you can take an extension of a further three years. 

After 5 years of stay
After completing additional three years, which makes up a total continuous stay of 5 years, holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). 

A continuous residence means you must not be outside the UK for more than 180 days in any of these consecutive years. 

Scale-up Worker Visa Fees

You and your dependents (if any) have to pay an application fee of 715 GBP. Also, you must pay a health surcharge for each stay year.