Scale-up Worker visa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Work
What it is
For workers with a job offer from an authorised UK scale-up business. After the first 6 months sponsored work, you can change employer without re-sponsoring.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- 2 years initially; 3-year extensions; settlement after 5 years
- Processing time
- 3–8 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 3 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- English requirement
- B2
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (flat fee (all applicants))
- GBP 937
- Health surcharge
- GBP 1,035 per year
- Proof of funds (main applicant; held at least 28 days in a row, day 28…)
- GBP 1,270
Key requirements
- Job offer from a Home Office-approved scale-up sponsor
- Certificate of sponsorship for a role of at least 6 months
- Eligible occupation on the Scale-up occupations list
- Meet the minimum salary threshold
- Prove English language ability
- Sufficient personal savings
Working on this visa
must work sponsored job for at least first 6 months (change of employer in first 6 months needs visa update); after 6 months free to change/stop job or be self-employed without telling the Home Office; additional work incl.…
Bringing family
Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
Money you must show
main applicant; held at least 28 days in a row, day 28…
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.