UK Scale-up Visa

Your Guide to the UK Scale-up Visa

If you have a skilled job offer from a Home Office approved scale-up sponsor, the UK Scale-up Worker visa lets you work for that employer for the first six months, then switch employer, take on extra work or become self-employed without new sponsorship. This guide sets out who qualifies, the salary and English requirements, the fees, how long the visa lasts, and the route to settlement, all checked against the official GOV.UK guidance.

Key takeaways

• The Scale-up Worker visa requires a skilled job offer from a Home Office approved scale-up sponsor and a Certificate of Sponsorship, with the role at RQF Level 6.
• You must be paid at least £39,100 per year or the going rate for your occupation code, whichever is higher, and prove English at CEFR Level B2 or higher.
• For the first six months you work for your sponsor, after which you can change employer, take on extra work or become self-employed without new sponsorship.
• The visa is granted for 2 years and can be extended by 3 years at a time, with settlement possible after 5 years of continuous residence.
• Partners and children under 18 can join you as dependants, each making a separate application.
• You must show £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days, unless your sponsor certifies maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

Eligibility Requirements of the UK Scale-up Worker Visa

To qualify for the UK Scale-up Worker Visa, you should meet the following criteria:

1. Job Offer from an Approved Scale-up Sponsor

• You must have a confirmed job offer from a UK business recognised as an approved scale-up sponsor by the Home Office.
• Your employer must provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to support your visa application.
• The CoS will confirm details of your job, your salary and the duration of employment.

2. Role Requirements

• Your job must be at the skill level of RQF Level 6 (graduate level or equivalent).
• The role must be one of the eligible high-skilled occupations. Examples include IT, engineering, financial services and other specialised fields. Check the official UK government list or seek advice for full details.

3. Salary Requirements

• You must be offered a salary of at least £39,100 per year, or the going rate for your occupation code, whichever is higher.

4. English Language Proficiency

• You must prove you can speak, read, write and understand English at CEFR level B2 or higher. You can do this by passing an approved English language test, holding a degree taught in English, or holding a GCSE, A-level or equivalent qualification taught in English.

5. Financial Requirements

• You must have at least £1,270 in personal savings to support yourself when you arrive in the UK. The money must have been in your account for at least 28 consecutive days, and day 28 of that period must fall within 31 days of applying. This requirement is also met where your sponsor certifies maintenance on the Certificate of Sponsorship.

6. Additional Requirements

• You must provide a valid passport or travel document and tuberculosis test results, where relevant.

Key Features of the Scale-up Worker Visa

Initial Sponsorship: The first six months are sponsored, and you work for your sponsoring employer in the role set out on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

Post-Sponsorship Flexibility: After six months you can change or leave the job, take on additional work and become self-employed, without updating your visa. This offers greater flexibility than most other UK work visas.

Application Process for the UK Scale-up Worker Visa

1. Obtain a Job Offer and CoS: Secure a job offer from a UK scale-up company approved by the Home Office. Your employer will issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), which includes details about your job and salary.
2. Prepare Supporting Documents: You will need your CoS reference number, proof of English language proficiency, evidence of personal savings or maintenance certification from your sponsor, a valid passport or travel document, and tuberculosis test results if required.
3. Submit the Online Application: Apply online through the official UK government website. You can apply from inside the UK if your current visa allows you to switch, or from outside the UK.
4. Attend a Biometric Appointment: Provide your fingerprints and photograph at a visa application centre, or use the UK Immigration: ID Check app if eligible.
5. Pay the Fees: The current visa application fee is £937 and the healthcare surcharge is usually £1,035 for each year of your stay. Because Home Office fees change, check the current fees on GOV.UK before you apply, as government fees are updated from time to time.
6. Await a Decision: You will usually receive a decision within 3 weeks for applications outside the UK, or 8 weeks for applications inside the UK. Expedited options are usually available for an additional fee.

Visa Duration and Extensions

The visa is granted for 2 years initially. You can extend it by 3 years at a time, as many times as you like, as long as you still meet the requirements. After 5 years of continuous residence you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), granting you permanent residency in the UK.

Dependants

Partners and children under 18 can join you or stay in the UK as dependants. The money required is held for 28 days on the same basis as the main applicant:

• Partner: £285
• First child: £315
• Each additional child: £200

Each dependant completes a separate application.

Rights and Restrictions

What You Can Do:

• Work in the job described in your CoS for the first six months.
• Change jobs or employers, or become self-employed, after the first six months.
• Study in the UK.
• Bring dependants to the UK.
• Do voluntary work.
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.
• Apply for settlement after five years, if eligible.

What You Cannot Do:

• Access public funds (benefits).
• Work as a professional sportsperson.

How Immtell Can Help

Navigating the UK Scale-up Worker Visa process can be complex, but Immtell provides expert guidance to simplify the journey:

1. Eligibility Assessment: We check your eligibility against the sponsorship, skill and salary requirements.
2. Document Preparation: Help with gathering and reviewing all necessary documentation, including your CoS and proof of finances.
3. Application Support: Step-by-step help with completing and submitting your online application accurately.
4. Post-Visa Advice: Guidance on switching jobs, self-employment, visa extensions and applying for settlement.

Contact Immtell for support with a smooth, compliant and well-prepared Scale-up Worker visa application.

Immtell is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA, formerly OISC), registration number F202200109.

Take the Next Step in Your Career with the UK Scale-up Visa

Immtell's regulated advisers can guide you through every step of your application, from checking your eligibility to submitting accurate, well-prepared documents. Contact us for advice specific to your case.

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We check this guide against the official GOV.UK Scale-up Worker visa guidance. Last reviewed 23 September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UK Scale-up Worker visa?

It lets a skilled worker take a job with a fast-growing, Home Office approved UK employer. You must be sponsored for the first six months, after which you can change employer, take on extra work or become self-employed without new sponsorship.

What is the salary requirement for the Scale-up Worker visa?

You must be paid at least £39,100 per year, or the going rate for your occupation code, whichever is higher.

How long does the Scale-up Worker visa last?

It is granted for 2 years. You can extend it by 3 years at a time, and after 5 years of continuous residence you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

Can you switch employer on a Scale-up Worker visa?

For the first six months you must work for your sponsor in the job on your Certificate of Sponsorship. After six months you can change employer, work in more than one job or become self-employed without updating your visa.

What makes a company an eligible scale-up sponsor?

The employer must either be endorsed by an approved endorsing body, or be a fast-growing business that grew by an average of 20% a year in employment or turnover over the previous three years and had at least 10 employees at the start of that period.