The UK Scale Up Worker Visa permits you to come to the UK to work in an eligible for a fast growing UK scale up business. Introduced on 22nd August 2022, it is a brand-new gateway for business minded individuals looking to work in the UK for fast growing businesses. To obtain a UK Scale Up Worker Visa, you will need to be sponsored by an employer with a UK Sponsor Licence authorised by the Home Office to sponsor a job under the Scale Up route. Our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers can help you successfully apply for the UK Scale Up Worker Visa.
What is the UK Scale Up Worker Visa?
The UK Scale Up Worker Visa (also known as the “Scale Up” Visa) permits you to come to the UK to work in an eligible for a fast growing UK scale up business. Introduced on 22nd August 2022, it is a brand-new gateway for business minded individuals looking to work in the UK for fast growing businesses.
What are the Key Requirements of the UK Scale Up Worker Visa?
The key requirements of the UK Scale Up Worker Visa are as follows:
- A confirmed job offer from an approved scale up business for at least 6 months: You need to have confirmed job offer from UK Sponsor Licence holder with approval from the Home Office to sponsor jobs under the scale up visa route. The confirmed job offer must be for a duration of at least 6 months.
- A Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) assigned to you: Your employer must assign a COS to you with information about the role you have been offered in the UK.
- The job offered to you must be on the list of eligible occupations: You must ensure that the job offered to you is an eligible job found on the list of eligible occupations.
- You must meet the Minimum Salary Requirement: You must be paid a minimum annual gross salary for the job, which must equal or exceed either £33,000 per year or the going rate for the job.
- You must meet the Maintenance Requirement: You must prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK of at least £1270 unless you’ve been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
- You must meet the English Language Requirement: You must also prove your functioning knowledge or basic fluency of English of up to CEFR Level B1 (or IELTS 4.0 equivalent) reading, writing, speaking, and listening from a UKVI approved English language test provider.
If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements of the UK Scale Up Worker Visa, you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Lawyers for legal advice and representation.
How do you meet the requirements of the UK Scale Up Visa under the Unsponsored Route?
You can qualify for the Scale Up Worker Visa under the Unsponsored Route without needing an employer with a UK Sponsor Licence to sponsor you, if the following requirements are met:
- You have previous permission in the UK under the UK Scale Up Worker Visa and had been employed by a Scale Up Authorised Sponsor for at least 6 months;
- You had PAYE monthly earnings in the UK equivalent to at least £33,000 per year during at least 50% of your previous permission in the UK;
- You have met the Maintenance Requirement; and
- You have met the English Language Requirement.
Please note that Unsponsored Scale Up Worker Visa route is only available to those that have previously been granted permission in the UK under the same route. If the UK Scale Up Worker Visa is not suitable for you, you may consider alternative visas such as the UK Expansion Worker Visa or the Skilled Worker Visa instead. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements of the UK Scale Up Worker Visa, you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Solicitors and Barristers for legal advice and representation.
What are the advantages of applying for the UK Scale Up Worker Visa?
The advantages of applying for the UK Scale Up Worker Visa are:
- You will no longer need to be sponsored after working for a initial 6 months period: After you have completed your first 6 months on the UK Scale Up Worker Visa, you can continue working in your job, you can change or stop doing your job without telling the Home Office or you can become self-employed.
- You can extend your UK Scale Up Worker Visa in the UK without a Sponsor: You can apply for an extension on your UK Scale Up Worker Visa in the UK with a Sponsor with a Sponsor Licence as you can apply under the Unsponsored Visa route. You will need to meet the earnings requirement set out above to qualify for an extension under the Unsponsored Visa route.
If you would like to know more about the advantages of applying for the UK Scale Up Worker Visa, you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Lawyers for legal advice and representation.
How long can you stay in the UK on the Scale Up Worker Visa?
A Scale Up Worker Visa gives you permission to stay in the UK for at least 2 years. You can extend this visa before the end of the initial 2 years visa period.
Can I switch into the UK Scale Up Worker Visa in the UK?
You can switch into the UK Scale Up Worker Visa in the UK. However, you cannot switch into the UK Scale Up Worker Visa if your current visa in the UK is one of the following:
- Visit Visa
- Short-Term Student Visa
- Parent of a Child Student Visa
- Seasonal Worker Visa
- Domestic Worker in a Private Household Visa
You can also not switch into the UK Scale Up Worker Visa if you are on immigration bail or because your current permission to stay in the UK was made outside the Immigration Rules, such as on human rights or compassionate grounds.
If you would like to know more about switching into UK Scale Up Worker Visa, you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Solicitors and Barristers for legal advice and representation.
Can my dependants join me in the UK on the UK Scale Up Visa?
Yes, you can apply for your dependant partner and children to join you in the UK on the UK Scale Up Worker Visa. They may be some additional requirements you will be required to meet if your dependants are joining you in the UK, so you may want to speak to our expert Immigration Lawyers for legal advice and representation.
Can I apply for settlement in the UK on the UK Scale Up Visa?
Yes, the UK Scale Up Worker Visa provides a direct route to settlement in the UK after a continuous period of 5 years in the UK under the same route. The UK Settlement Visa process can be very complicated, so we encourage you to speak to our expert Immigration Solicitors and Barristers for legal advice and representation.
Successfully apply for the UK Scale Up Worker Visa with OneLaw Chambers
At OneLaw Chambers, our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers regularly assist with Immigration and Visa applications in order for applicants to relocate to and settle in the UK. We have assisted many foreign nationals to prepare and submit successful Immigration and Visa applications and we have represented clients from all over the world. We are well equipped to prepare and submit your application for the UK Scale Up Worker Visa.
Whether you require expert immigration advice on the requirements of the Immigration Rules, an independent immigration assessment of your prospects of qualifying for the UK Scale Up Worker Visa Route or professional immigration representation with preparing your application for the UK Scale Up Worker Visa, our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers can help you.
We are committed to ensuring that our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers prepare every immigration visa application with utmost quality and skill so that a successful outcome is achieved every time. Our Immigration Solicitors and Barristers operate in a friendly and cooperative manner to provide our clients with the best client care and service during the entire immigration application process.
Submit our Contact Form or contact us by phone or email to find out how we can help you with your UK Scale Up Worker Visa application.
