UK Scale-up Worker visa

People with an eligible job offer from an approved UK scale-up sponsor who meet the salary, English and financial requirements.

• Be at least 18

  You must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Have an approved job offer

  You must have an offer from a UK employer approved to sponsor Scale-up Workers and work in the sponsored job for at least 6 months.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Get a sponsorship certificate

  Your employer must give you a certificate of sponsorship for the job; you must apply within 3 months of getting it.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Work in an eligible occupation

  Your job’s 4-digit occupation code must be eligible for the Scale-up Worker visa.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Meet the salary requirement

  You must be paid whichever is higher: £39,100 per year or the going rate for your occupation. The job must also pay at least the minimum wage and follow UK rules on working hours.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Prove your English

  You must be able to read, write, speak and understand English to at least CEFR level B2. The page lists qualifying school or degree evidence and an approved Secure English Language Test as ways to prove this; some applicants do not need to prove it again.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Have money to support yourself

  You must have at least £1,270 available for 28 days in a row, with day 28 within 31 days of applying, unless you have been in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months or your employer certifies that it can cover your first-month costs up to £1,270.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Meet the points requirement

  You must be awarded 70 points under Appendix Scale-up.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Provide a TB certificate if required

  If the tuberculosis rules apply to your application from outside the UK, you must provide a valid certificate confirming screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that it is not present.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Provide an ATAS certificate if required

  You may need a valid ATAS certificate if your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Get scholarship consent if required

  If, in the 12 months before applying, you received a government or international scholarship award covering both fees and living costs for UK study, you must provide written consent to your application from that government or agency.

  gov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource

• Visa application feegov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource£937 per person
• Visa application fee for each dependantgov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource£937 per family member
• Immigration health surcharge for an applicant aged 18 or overgov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource£1,035 a year
• Immigration health surcharge for a dependant under 18 at the time of applicationgov.uk · checked 4 days agoSource£776 a year

1. Get ready

   • Check the job and sponsor

     3 months before you go

     Check your occupation code, salary and employer’s approval to sponsor Scale-up Workers.

     You’ll need: Job offer, 4-digit occupation code

   • Get your sponsorship certificate

     3 months before you go

     Ask your approved employer for a certificate of sponsorship and its reference number.

     You’ll need: Certificate of sponsorship reference number

   • Prepare English and financial evidence

     2 months before you go

     Prepare the English evidence you need and, unless exempt, evidence that you meet the savings requirement.

     You’ll need: English-language evidence, if required, Evidence of savings, if required

   • Gather the remaining documents

     2 months before you go

     Prepare your passport, job and sponsor details, and any TB test result, ATAS certificate or certified translation you need.

     You’ll need: Valid passport or other identity document, Job title and annual salary, Occupation code, Employer name and sponsor licence number, TB test result, if required, ATAS certificate, if required, Certified translations, if required

2. Apply

   • Apply online

     2 months before you go

     Submit the online application no more than 3 months before your sponsored job’s start date and within 3 months of receiving your certificate of sponsorship.

     You’ll need: Certificate of sponsorship reference number, Supporting documents

   • Pay and prove your identity

     4 weeks before you go

     Pay the application fee and healthcare surcharge, then use the ID Check app or attend a visa application centre as instructed.

     You’ll need: Passport or identity document, Supporting documents

3. Visa

   • Wait for your decision

     3 weeks before you go

     Wait for the decision email and do not travel to the UK before your application is approved.

     You’ll need: Visa decision email

4. Travel

   • Travel after approval

     When you arrive

     Travel to the UK only after your visa application has been approved.

     You’ll need: Valid passport or other travel document, Visa approval

You can apply to extend the visa and may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years if you meet the requirements.

• Scale-up Worker visa: Knowledge of English - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
• Scale-up Worker visa: Documents you’ll need to apply - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
• gov.uk/scale-up-worker-visa/apply-from-outside-the-ukOfficial
• Scale-up Worker visa: Your job - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Visa processing times: applications outside the UK - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Scale-up Worker visa: How much it costs - GOV.UK gov.ukOfficial
• Immigration Rules - Immigration Rules Appendix Scale-up - Guidance - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application: How much you have to pay - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial
• Scale-up Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UKgov.ukOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.