INTRODUCTION OF THE SCALE UP WORKER VISA

On 22 August 2022, the new Scale-up visa route opened. Much like the Skilled Worker route, the Scale-up route is a route to settlement. Both routes require sponsorship by employers holding an appropriate sponsor licence.

The Scale-up Worker visa allows you to come to the UK to do an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business also known as a scale-up business, for at least 6 months.

The Scale-up Visa is for talented individuals recruited by a UK Scale-up Sponsor, who have the skills needed to enable the Scale-up business to continue growing.

Put simply, scale-up is a distinct phase of company growth. It’s a company that has achieved a lot, had some impressive success and is ready to take it to the next level.

If a company is raising investment to fund its growth, it will generally move into scale-up territory when they have been through its first rounds of funding and reached the Series A stage or similar.
The Scale-up visa is mainly a “fast-track" immigration route; the businesses that apply and meet the criteria will be granted the Scale-up sponsor licence for a period of four years. A significant advantage for the Scale-up sponsors is that they will be exempt from paying the Immigration Skills Charge.

For more information about how your business and your job candidates can benefit from this newly introduced route, do not hesitate to contact our dedicated sponsor licence team.