Scale Up Visa UK: Eligibility, & Process

Written by Deluxe Law Chambers Published13 August 2026 Reading time5 min read Updated9 May 2025

Scale-Up Visa UK

The UK Scale-up Visa allows employees with a job offer from a UK Scale-up sponsor to work in the UK to help grow the Scale-up business. This further allows high-growth companies to hire talent from overseas with greater ease as compared with other work visas.

It offers a route to settlement, which is appealing for those looking to make the UK their long-term home.

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UK scale-up visa requirements

Applicants must meet below scale-up visa UK eligibility requirements:

  • have sufficient funds to support themselves
  • have a job offer from an approved scale-up business lasting a period of at least 6 months
  • have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from their employer
  • have a job on the list of eligible occupations
  • meet the minimum salary requirements: £36,300 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the type of work
  • meet the English language requirements

What are scale-up companies / business

A scale-up company or scale-up business is one that has demonstrated rapid and consistent growth over a period of time. According to the UK Home Office criteria, to qualify as a scale-up company for the purposes of sponsorship (such as under the Scale-up Worker visa route), a business must meet the following conditions:

  • Sustained Growth: The company must have achieved an average annual growth of at least 20% in either employee count or turnover (total sales) over the previous 3 years before applying for a sponsor licence.
  • Minimum Size: The company must have had at least 10 employees at the start of the 3-year period.

To sponsor a worker under the Scale-up Visa route, your business must hold an A-rated scale-up sponsor licence and appear on the official scale-up visa UK companies list published by the Home Office. Only companies with this A-rated status are eligible to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to prospective employees.

If you need expert legal advice or support with your scale-up sponsor licence application, our specialist scale-up visa lawyers are here to help. Call 01614644140 for a free telephone advice or fill out our online enquiry form today.

Scale-Up Visa UK – Requirements and Guidance

The Scale-Up visa is designed to attract talented individuals to work in fast-growing UK businesses. It offers a flexible route to employment and eventual settlement, making it an attractive option for skilled professionals and UK companies alike.

Eligible Jobs for the Scale-Up Visa

To qualify for a Scale-Up visa, you must have a job offer from a UK business that qualifies as a scale-up. The job must be on the list of eligible occupations, and your employer will provide a 4-digit occupation code to check if your role qualifies.

Common eligible occupations include:

  • IT business analysts, architects and system designers
  • Software developers
  • Civil engineers
  • Actuaries, economists, and statisticians
  • Financial analysts and investment analysts
  • And other high-skilled professional roles

Scale-Up Visa Salary Requirements

To be eligible, you must be paid whichever is higher of:

  • £36,300 per year, or
  • The ‘going rate’ for your specific job, as listed in the official Home Office occupation list.

This ensures that only genuine, high-skilled jobs are offered under the scheme.

English Language Requirements

You must prove your English proficiency by meeting one of the following criteria:

  • You are from a majority English-speaking country
  • You hold a degree-level qualification taught in English
  • You have a UK school qualification (GCSE or A-level) obtained before the age of 18
  • You have passed an approved English language test at CEFR level B1 or above

Financial Requirements

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account, held for a continuous 28-day period prior to applying. You are exempt from this requirement if you have lived in the UK for 12 months or more before applying.

Sponsored vs Unsponsored Route

A key benefit of the Scale-Up visa is the option to switch to a new employer or job after 6 months without needing sponsorship.

  • For the first 6 months, you must work for your sponsoring employer.
  • After this, you can change employers, become self-employed, or take on multiple jobs, as long as you continue to meet the salary requirements.

If you wish to change jobs within the first 6 months, you must inform the Home Office and ensure the new role is also on the eligible occupation list.

Scale-Up Visa vs Skilled Worker Visa

FeatureScale-Up VisaSkilled Worker Visa
Sponsorship required initiallyYes (first 6 months)Yes (entire duration)
Can switch jobs without sponsorYes (after 6 months)No
Minimum salary£36,300 or going rate£38,700 or going rate
FlexibilityHighModerate
Settlement routeYesYes

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