UK Scale-up Visa

The UK Scale-up Visa is for skilled professionals with job offers from fast-growing UK companies. It helps scale-up businesses access global talent to support their rapid growth. The visa starts with sponsorship from a UK employer but gives you freedom to change jobs or become self-employed after six months.

Visa Category Type

Work Visa (with a mix of sponsorship and self-sponsorship)

Typical Duration

  • Initial stay: 2 years
  • Extensions: Renewable in 3-year increments
  • Settlement option after 5 years (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

Nationalities Eligible

Open to all foreign nationals who meet the eligibility criteria.
 Applicants must prove English language proficiency, unless exempt (e.g. US nationals).

Eligibility Criteria

Valid Job

Have a valid job offer from a UK business that's approved as a "scale-up" company.

Employer eligibility

The company must have grown at least 20% each year (in staff or turnover) for the last 3 years and had at least 10 employees at the start.

Job type

The role must be on the approved job list and at skill level RQF level 6 or above (bachelor’s degree level).

Salary

You must earn £36,300 per year or the “going rate” for the role — whichever is higher. (Some sources mention £33,000 — double-check the most current official rate.)

English language

You must speak, read, write, and understand English at B1 level (CEFR). You’ll likely need to provide proof.

Financial proof

Have at least £1,270 in your account for 28 consecutive days. This can be waived if your sponsor agrees to cover you.

Age

You must be 18 or over.

Health checks

If you're from certain countries, you may need a TB test certificate.

Application Process

You must apply online, and the process will depend on where you’re applying from (outside, switching, or extending in the UK).

Required Documents

  • 📄 Certificate of sponsorship (CoS) reference number
  • 🛂 Passport or national ID
  • 🧾 Proof of English proficiency (e.g. test results, qualifications)
  • 💳 Bank statements showing £1,270 (if required)
  • 🧑‍💼 Job title & occupation code (4-digit code)
  • 🏢 Employer name and sponsor licence number (on your CoS)
  • 🩺 TB test results (if required)
  • 📘 ATAS certificate (for certain research jobs)
  • 👪 Proof of relationship (if applying with family)
  • 🌐 Certified translations of documents not in English or Welsh

Processing Time

  • 🕒 Around 3 weeks (outside the UK)
  • 🕗 Around 8 weeks (inside the UK)

Cost and Hidden Costs

Main Costs

Visa application fee

£880 (varies slightly; check latest rates)

Healthcare surcharge

£1,035 per year

Personal funds

Minimum £1,270 (unless exempt)

Possible Hidden Costs

English test

£150–£220

TB test

£60–£150 (depending on country)

Translation fees

(for non-English/Welsh documents)

Priority processing

Extra fee for faster decisions

Legal/advisory fees

(if using an immigration advisor)

Dependants’ fees

Separate visa and health surcharge per person

Family and Dependents

If you’re on a Scale-up Visa, your partner and children can apply to come with you or stay in the UK as your dependants

Who qualifies as a dependant?

  • Partner: Your spouse, civil partner, or long-term partner (you must have lived together for at least 2 years).
  • Children: Must be under 18 when they apply (or already in the UK as your dependent if over 18).
  • Children born in the UK during your stay can also be added as dependants.

Financial requirement for dependants:

  • £285 for your partner
  • £315 for one child
  • £200 for each additional child

 Note: You don’t need to show these funds if:

  • You and your dependants have been in the UK for at least 12 months on valid visas, or
  • Your employer confirms on your CoS that they’ll cover your family’s costs during the first month.

Application and Benefits

  • Each dependant must apply separately and pay the visa fee and health surcharge.
  • They’ll need your application number when applying.
  • Dependants can usually work, study, and travel freely — but cannot access public funds (benefits).

Pathway to Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

After 5 continuous years on the Scale-up Visa, you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — which means permanent residency in the UK.

Person walking on a scenic countryside trail, embracing solitude and nature.

To be eligible for ILR, you must:

  • Live and work in the UK for 5 years on a Scale-up Visa (there are limits on time spent outside the UK).
  • Meet the earnings requirement — often around £33,000 to £36,300/year, depending on your role and when your last CoS was issued.
  • Pass the Life in the UK Test (if aged between 18–64).
  • Still be employed at the time you apply.
  • No serious immigration breaches during your stay.
  • You don’t need to retake the English test at this stage if you already passed it when you first applied.
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