scale-up visa uk
scale-up visa uk
The UK Scale-Up Worker visa is one of the most dynamic and flexible immigration pathways, designed to help fast-growing companies attract global talent. As of July 22, 2025, important updates have taken effect — including higher salary thresholds, refined sponsor requirements, updated job eligibility, and clearer rules for dependants.
This comprehensive guide from LawSentis explains how the Scale-Up visa works in 2025, who qualifies, and how it can lead to long-term settlement in the UK.
what is the scale-up visa?
The Scale-Up visa was introduced to support high-growth UK businesses in hiring international professionals quickly and efficiently.
It is unique because it combines both sponsored and unsponsored phases:
- For the first 6 months, you must work for your sponsoring employer.
- After this, you can continue with the same employer, change jobs without sponsorship, work freelance, or even start your own business.
The route also provides a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years, with time spent on other eligible visas counting toward settlement.
who can apply in 2025?
Applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a genuine job offer from a UK-based scale-up company approved by the Home Office
- Hold a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Be offered a job on the list of eligible occupations
- Meet the updated salary thresholds (see below)
- Prove English language ability at CEFR B1 level
- Show sufficient personal savings (unless exempt)
We typically present 2–3 visa options so you can choose the one that works best for you.
updated salary thresholds (july 2025)
The Home Office raised the minimum salary requirement for Scale-Up Worker visas from 22 July 2025.
salary requirements
Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued
On or after 22 July 2025
4 April 2024 – 21 July 2025
On or after 22 July 2025
12 April 2023 – 3 April 2024
On or before 11 April 2023
Minimum Salary Requirement
£39,100 per year (or £15.88/hour, or the going rate for your job, whichever is higher)
£36,300 per year (or £15.88/hour, or going rate)
£34,600 per year
On or before 11 April 2023
Jobs must also be at RQF Level 6 or above, with responsibilities aligned to the correct occupation code.
The SMS is UKVI’s online portal for licensed sponsors. Your business must keep it updated with:
common eligible roles include:
- Software developers
- Civil engineers
- Financial analysts
- Actuaries
- Data scientists
- Health and safety advisers
⚠️ If you are sponsoring yourself, a UK-resident director or senior employee should usually act as the Level 1 user to avoid conflict of interest.
english language requirement
Applicants can meet the English requirement by:
- Holding a degree taught in English (verified by ECCTIS if awarded abroad)
- Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) at B1 or higher
- Being from a majority English-speaking country
- Holding UK GCSE/A-Level or equivalent qualifications obtained before age 18
employer (scale-up sponsor) requirements
Only companies that meet “scale-up” status can sponsor workers under this route. A qualifying business must:
The application process involves substantial documentation, including:
- Hold an A-rated sponsor licence
- Show at least 20% annual growth in turnover or staff count over a 3-year period
- Have employed at least 10 people at the start of that 3-year period
Once approved, the sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship valid for a minimum of 6 months. After that period, the worker may continue with the sponsor or move to unsponsored work.
applying for the visa from outside the UK:
- Secure a job offer and CoS
- Gather required documents
- Complete the online application
- Pay visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
- Book and attend a biometric appointment
- Upload supporting evidence
from inside the UK (switching):
You may switch unless you are currently on:
- A visitor visa
- Short-term student visa
- Seasonal worker visa
- Domestic worker visa
- Immigration bail or in breach of immigration law
Student visa holders may switch if they have completed their course, or (for PhD students) have completed at least 24 months of study.
supporting documents
- Valid passport/travel ID
- Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Job details (title, salary, SOC code)
- Employer’s sponsor licence number
- English language evidence
- Bank statements (if required)
- Tuberculosis test certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of relationship for dependants
processing times
- Outside UK: 3 weeks (standard service)
- Inside UK: 8 weeks (standard service)
- Priority options: 1–5 working days (at additional cost)
- Super Priority: next working day in some countries (additional £1,000+)
visa length and extensions
- Initial grant: 2 year
- Extension: 3 years at a time (no maximum)
- After 5 years on this or other eligible routes, you may apply for ILR
settlement (ilr) requirements
- Complete 5 continuous years in the UK under qualifying work visas (Scale-Up, Skilled Worker, etc.)
- Earn at or above the ILR salary threshold (see table above) for at least 12 months in the last 3 years
- Pass the Life in the UK Test
- Meet English language requirements
- Not exceed 180 days’ absence in any 12-month period
- Have no serious immigration breaches
rights and restrictions
You can:
- Work for your sponsoring employer for 6 months
- After 6 months, work elsewhere, become self-employed, or run a business
- Study in the UK
- Bring eligible dependants
- Travel freely
- Apply for ILR and later British citizenship
You cannot:
- Access public funds/benefits
- Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
dependants
You may bring:
- A spouse/civil partner
- An unmarried partner (if you’ve lived together for 2+ years)
- Children under 18
- Children under 18 already in the UK as dependants
Dependants must apply separately, pay visa and IHS fees, and show maintenance funds:
- £285 for a partner
- £315 for the first child
- £200 for each additional child
Dependants can:
- Work in most roles
- Study
- Switch to other visa types inside the UK
common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong SOC code
- Failing to meet salary thresholds
- Submitting invalid or outdated English test certificates
- Forgetting to declare dependants
- Missing required TB test results
fees (home office, updated 2025)
Fee Type
Visa application
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
Certificate of Sponsorship (paid by employer)
Priority visa processing (optional)
Super Priority (if available)
Minimum Salary Requirement
£880 per person
£1,035 per year (£2,070 for 2 years)
£34,600 per year
£500 per person
£1,000+
how LawSentis helps you
At LawSentis, we provide end-to-end guidance for both applicants and scale-up employers, including:
- Personal eligibility assessments
- Sponsor selection and compliance advice
- Complete application preparation and submission
- Document review and legal strategy
- Support with dependant visas
- ILR planning and long-term settlement advice
Our IAA-regulated advisors ensure your application is accurate, compliant, and strategically positioned for success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
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