Scale-up Worker visa

01

Start with the employer, role and salary

The employer must be authorised specifically for Scale-up sponsorship. Check the occupation code, duties and certificate of sponsorship together; an ordinary business registration or a different sponsor category is not enough.

A new sponsored role must pay at least £39,100 a year and the applicable occupation going rate, whichever is higher. Working hours and the pay components allowed by the Rules affect the calculation; do not assume bonuses or allowances cure a shortfall.

02

Check English, funds and documents

New applicants and people switching routes generally need B2 English in reading, writing, speaking and listening, unless exempt. An eligible extension for someone who held Scale-up permission before 8 January 2026 can retain the B1 requirement.

Maintenance is usually £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, unless an exemption or valid sponsor certification applies. Application fees and the immigration health surcharge are separate costs.

• Prepare your passport, sponsorship reference, job and salary details, English evidence and any required financial records.
• Check whether additional evidence, such as a tuberculosis test or ATAS certificate, applies to your circumstances.

03

Understand the first six months and the next application

During the first six months, changing employer requires an updated visa. After that period, you can leave the sponsored role or become self-employed without updating the visa, subject to your permission conditions.

An unsponsored extension does not require a new certificate of sponsorship, but normally requires qualifying monthly PAYE earnings during at least half of the most recent Scale-up permission. The applicable earnings threshold depends on the permission and earlier sponsorship dates. Self-employed income does not count towards this test. Eligible unsponsored grants are for three years.

04

Plan family applications and timing

Eligible partners and children apply in their own right as dependants. Their permission does not automatically extend or switch when yours does; relationship, age, finances and existing status need checking.

Some UK visa categories cannot switch into Scale-up from inside the country, and Students have additional conditions. Apply before current permission expires. Travel outside the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man while an in-country application is pending can cause withdrawal; check before departing.

05

Treat settlement as a separate assessment

Five years on qualifying routes may lead to settlement if all conditions are met. Check the permitted immigration history, continuous residence and Life in the UK requirements; five years alone is insufficient.

The earnings assessment includes current employment and qualifying PAYE earnings in at least 24 of the preceding 36 months. Transitional thresholds and specified work absences can matter. The Rules also introduce a B2 speaking/listening requirement for settlement applications from 26 March 2027, subject to exemptions; check the rules for the actual application date.

Common questions