Who is eligible for UK Scale-up Worker Visa?

• You must have a job offer from an approved scale-up business. Approved scale-up businesses are businesses that have grown by 20% on average in each year in either employment or total sales (turnover) over the past 3 years and had at least 10 employees at the start of the past 3 years.
• You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer. A CoS is a document that your employer will provide to you. It confirms that your employer has a job offer for you and that they are able to sponsor you for a visa.
• Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations. The list of eligible occupations for the Scale-up Worker Visa includes a wide range of skilled roles, such as accountants, software engineers, data scientists, product managers, marketing managers, sales managers, engineers, scientists, architects, designers, and more.
• You must be paid at least the minimum salary for your occupation. The minimum salary for the Scale-up Worker Visa is £34,600 per year, or the going rate for the type of work, whichever is higher.
• You must meet the English language requirements. To meet the English language requirements for the Scale-up Worker Visa, you must either be a national of a country where English is the official language, have a degree or higher taught in English, have a school level qualification gained by studying at a UK school that you began when you were under 18, or pass an approved English test at CEFR level B1 or higher. If you do not meet any of these criteria, you may still be able to apply for the Scale-up Worker Visa if you can pass an English language test at CEFR level B1 or higher within 6 months of arriving in the UK.
• The Scale-up Worker Visa is a new visa route that was introduced in April 2022. It is designed to attract and retain top talent from around the world, and to help UK businesses grow and succeed.
• The Scale-up Worker Visa is a great option for skilled workers who want to work for a fast-growing UK business. It is also a good option for businesses that are looking to hire talented workers from overseas.
• Above are the most common and generic requirements. It’s important to note that specific requirements can vary based on individual circumstances. If you wish to obtain your case specific professional advice and expert guidance tailored to your situation from our qualified team of immigration advisors, then do not hesitate to Contact us.

To obtain professional, most up-to-date, and accurate advice on your visa requirement you can contact our experienced, and accredited team of immigration consultants on 020 3911 1115 or send us your query using this form or email us on ukvisa@agclservices.com or request a call back by providing your contact details here and we will get back to you asap.

For a successful ‘Scale-up Woker’ Visa application, the submission of various documents is imperative. The following list comprises some key documents; however, it’s essential to note that additional documents may be necessary based on your unique circumstances.

• Your valid passport
• Proof of Knowledge of English language test confirming your proficiency
• Endorsement Letter
• Business Plan
• Evidence of Investment
• Tuberculosis (TB) Test Results – if you’re from a country where TB screening is required.
• Criminal Record Certificate
• Bank Statements for Maintenance Funds
• Evidence of Maintenance Funds

The aforementioned documents encompass both generic and mandatory requirements. Additionally, you may be required to furnish supplementary documentation related to your prior UK immigration history, employment record, family relationships, financial sponsorship, professional registration, business records, custody/access rights, and more. It is paramount to ensure that all submitted documents, whether mandatory or supplementary, adhere to the requisite standards, furnish the necessary evidence, and provide comprehensive information. This meticulous attention to documentation ensures that Visa Officers can make timely, informed, and accurate decisions regarding your application.

• When applying for the UK Scale-up Worker Visa, the process can differ depending on whether you are applying from outside the UK or from within the country.
• If you are applying from outside the UK, you will first need to secure a job offer from an approved scale-up business. Your prospective employer should then provide you with a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a critical document confirming their authority to hire skilled workers from overseas.
• If you are applying from within the UK, the initial steps are similar. You must secure a job offer from an approved scale-up business, which will also provide you with a CoS.
• Following this, AGCL Services can help you with rest of the visa process from completing the relevant visa applications forms to submit your application along with all the necessary and supporting documents.

To obtain professional, most up-to-date, and accurate advice on your visa requirement you can contact our experienced, and accredited team of immigration consultants on 020 3911 1115 or send us your query using this form or email us on ukvisa@agclservices.com or request a call back by providing your contact details here and we will get back to you asap.

• The UK Home Office aims to process Scale-up Worker Visa applications within 3 weeks for applications made from outside of the UK and within 8 weeks for applications made from within the UK. However, it is important to note that processing times can vary depending on several factors, such as the complexity of the application and the number of applications being processed.
• If your visa application is approved, you will be granted permission to enter the UK and start working for your sponsor.

• The UK Scale-up Worker Visa is valid for two years initially. After the initial two years, you can extend your visa for a further three years, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. You can extend your visa as many times as you like if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
• After five continuous years of living in the UK on a Scale-up Worker Visa, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), also known as settlement. This gives you the right to live, work, and study in the UK permanently.

Yes, Scale-up worker visa holder is allowed to apply for UK Indefinite stay visa as long as applicant meets below criteria:

• Have continued to meet the eligibility criteria for the Scale-up Worker Visa
• Have met the residency requirement of living in the UK for five years under the Scale-up Worker Visa category
• Have paid all of your immigration fees
• If your ILR application is successful, you will be granted the right to live and work in the UK permanently.
• Please note that this is just a general overview of the visa validity and extension options for the UK Scale-up Worker Visa. Please discuss your case with one of our experienced consultants for more information and obtain specific guidance around your case.

Standard visa application fee for a UK Scale-up Worker Visa

• Initial application fee: £1,191
• Renewal fee: £1,191

IHS – Immigration Health Surcharge for Scale-up Worker Visa

• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): The IHS is a charge that is paid by all overseas visitors to the UK who plan to stay for longer than 6 months. The IHS is used to fund the National Health Service (NHS). The specific amount for the IHS fee depends on the length of your child’s visa and can be calculated on the government’s official website.

Other charges may be applicable for Scale-up Worker Visa application

• Biometric fee: The biometric fee is a charge that is paid by all visa applicants who need to give their fingerprints and a photograph. The biometric fee is £19.23.
• Priority and Super Priority Visa Services: The UK Home Office offers two priority visa services: Priority Visa Service and Super Priority Visa Service. Please note that these fees are in addition to the standard visa application fee.
• Priority Visa Service: The Priority Visa Service allows you to get a decision on your visa application within 5 working days. The cost of the Priority Visa Service is £500.
• Super Priority Visa Service: The Super Priority Visa Service allows you to get a decision on your visa application within 1 working day. The cost of the Super Priority Visa Service is £1,000.
• If you are applying for the Priority service, you will need to attend a visa application centre in person on the same day that you submit your online application to have your fingerprints and photo taken.
• The Priority and Super Priority services are designed to speed up the visa application process. However, it is important to note that there is no guarantee that your application will be processed within the specified timeframe.

In addition to the above fees, you may also need to pay for additional services, such as:

• English language test fees
• Tuberculosis test fees
• Medical certificate fees
• Police clearance certificate fees

Please note that all fees and charges are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the UK government website

Q.1  What is the minimum salary requirement for the Scale-up Worker Visa?

The minimum salary requirement for the Scale-up Worker Visa is the higher of:

• £34,600 per year
• the going rate for the type of work you will be doing
• The going rate is the average salary for similar jobs in the same location. You can find information about going rates on the UK Government website.
• If you are paid below the minimum salary requirement, you will not be eligible for the Scale-up Worker Visa.

Please note that the salary requirement is just one of the eligibility criteria for the Scale-up Worker Visa. You must also meet all the other eligibility criteria, such as having a job offer from an approved scale-up business and meeting the English language requirements.

Q.2  Can I switch to the Scale-up Worker Visa if I’m already in the UK on a different visa category?

Yes, in some cases you may be eligible to switch to the Scale-up Worker Visa if you are already in the UK on a different visa category, though depending on your current visa status and circumstance and if you meet all of the eligibility criteria.

• To switch to the Scale-up Worker Visa, you must:
• Have a job offer from an approved scale-up business.
• Have a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from your employer.
• Your job must be on the list of eligible occupations.
• You must be paid at least the minimum salary for your occupation.
• You must meet the English language requirements.
• You must not be in the UK on a visit visa, a short-term student visa, a Parent of a Child Student visa, a Seasonal Worker visa, or a Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa.
• To switch to the Scale-up Worker Visa, you must complete the online visa application form and pay the visa application fee. You will also need to provide all the required supporting documents, such as your passport, your CoS, and proof of English language proficiency.
• Once you have submitted your application, the UK Home Office will decide on your case. If your application is successful, you will be granted the Scale-up Worker Visa.
• Please note that switching to the Scale-up Worker Visa is not guaranteed. You must meet all the eligibility criteria and your application must be successful.
• If you have any questions about switching to the Scale-up Worker Visa, you can contact one of our qualified immigration experts for more advice.

Q.3  Can my family members join me on this visa?

Yes, your spouse, civil partner, or dependent children may be eligible to apply for dependant visas to join you in the UK.

Q.4  Is there a cooling-off period after the expiry of my Scale-up Worker Visa?

Typically, there is no cooling-off period for this visa category, meaning you can reapply or switch to another visa category immediately if you meet the requirements.

Q.5  What happens if my employment with the sponsoring company ends?

If your employment ends, you should inform the Home Office, and you may have a short grace period to find new employment or switch to a different visa category. It’s crucial to maintain compliance with visa conditions.

Q.6  Where can I find more information about the Scale-up Worker Visa application process?

You can visit the official UK government website for the most up-to-date information and guidance on applying for the Scale-up Worker Visa, or you can consult with an immigration advisor for personalized assistance.

Q.7  Under the ‘scale-up worker’ visa category, what ‘you can or allowed to’ and what ‘you can’t or not allowed to’?

What You Can Do (Allowed To):

• In terms of what you can do, as a Scale-up Worker Visa holder, you have the privilege of working for an approved scale-up business that sponsored your visa application. You also have the flexibility to switch employers within the scale-up business sector or apply to work for a different approved scale-up employer while ensuring that your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) reflects the changes. Additionally, if you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply to extend your Scale-up Worker Visa, enabling you to continue working in the UK. This visa allows you to travel in and out of the UK, provided you adhere to the visa’s validity and re-entry requirements. Furthermore, you can bring your family members, such as your spouse, civil partner, or dependent children, to join you in the UK on dependant visas.

What You Can’t Do (Not Allowed To):

• However, it’s equally crucial to be aware of the restrictions associated with the Scale-up Worker Visa. You are not permitted to work for an employer that is not an approved scale-up business or engage in a job or sector unrelated to your CoS. Accessing public funds or benefits while holding this visa is strictly prohibited, necessitating self-sufficiency. Overstaying your visa’s expiration date should be avoided, as you should apply for an extension or transition to another visa category if needed. Engaging in criminal activities or violating UK laws can result in visa cancellation and deportation. Extended absences from the UK may also impact your eligibility for settlement or further visa extensions. Moreover, this visa category does not allow you to work as a doctor or dentist in training, and separate visa routes exist for healthcare professionals. Lastly, applicants cannot apply for public funds, including housing or jobseeker’s allowance. Comprehending and adhering to the conditions and limitations of your Scale-up Worker Visa is essential to maintain your legal status in the UK, as violating its terms can have significant repercussions, including visa cancellation and potential removal from the country. For any queries or the need for further clarification, consulting with an immigration advisor or legal expert is advisable.
• It’s essential to understand and adhere to the conditions and limitations of your Scale-up Worker Visa to maintain your legal status in the UK. Violating the terms of your visa can have serious consequences, including visa cancellation and potential removal from the country. If you have questions or need further clarification, it’s advisable to consult with one of our immigration advisor.