A1.43 Scale-up Worker Visa
This visa allows you to work in an eligible role for a fast-growing UK business (referred to as a ‘scale-up business’).
Your UK employer must be a Home Office-approved ‘scale-up business’ that meets specific eligibility criteria.
You must satisfy all of the following requirements:
Job Offer: Secure a job contract of at least 6 months with an approved scale-up business.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Obtain an electronic certificate of sponsorship containing job details and its reference number from your employer.
Eligible Occupation: The role you are offered must be included in the list of eligible occupations.
Minimum Salary Requirement: Meet the minimum salary threshold for the position.
The initial visa is valid for 2 years. You can apply to extend it for 3 years each time upon expiry, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria. After 5 years of cumulative residence in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement).
First 6 months: You must work for your sponsoring employer. If you wish to change employers, you must apply to update your visa.
After 6 months: You can change or leave your job, or even become self-employed, without notifying the Home Office. There is no requirement for a new sponsor when extending your visa.
Work in your sponsored role for at least 6 months.
Engage in free employment (including self-employment) after 6 months.
Study in the UK.
Bring your partner and children to the UK with you.
Undertake voluntary work.
Travel abroad and re-enter the UK freely.
Your annual salary must meet the higher of the two following standards:
£39,100
The going rate for your specific occupation
Important Note: You must satisfy both standards. If the going rate for your occupation is higher than £39,100, you need to meet the higher market salary level.
Your employer must be a Home Office-approved ‘scale-up business’.
Typically, it refers to a business that has achieved an average annual growth rate of over 20% in either the number of employees or total sales over the 3 years prior to obtaining sponsorship eligibility, and had at least 10 employees at the start of that 3-year period.
You must reach CEFR Level B1 in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Nationals from major English-speaking countries (such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc.) are exempt from this requirement.
£880 (applicable to the main applicant and each dependent).
Generally £1,035 per person per year of stay.
You must demonstrate that you have at least £1,270 in personal savings, with the following conditions:
You have been living in the UK with a valid visa for at least 12 months.
Your employer confirms on the certificate of sponsorship that they will cover your living expenses for the first month.
You can apply for the visa up to 3 months before the start date of your employment in the UK (this date is stated on your certificate of sponsorship).
You can pay an additional fee to get a faster decision on your application.
Your dependants can work in the UK (excluding roles as professional sportspersons or coaches), study, travel in and out of the UK freely, and apply for indefinite leave to remain if they meet the eligibility criteria.
You have worked in the role specified on your certificate of sponsorship for at least 6 months.
For at least half of the duration of your current visa, your monthly income has met the relevant annual salary requirement (which ranges from £33,000 to £39,100 depending on the year you were granted the visa).
Important Note: No new employer sponsorship is required for visa extension, but you need to provide documents such as payslips and P60 to prove your income.
Flexibility as a Core Advantage: After working for 6 months, you are no longer tied to your sponsoring employer and can switch jobs freely, which is the biggest difference from other work visas.
High Thresholds: There are strict requirements for both employers (fast-growing scale-up businesses) and applicants (highly skilled and high-earning individuals).
Clear Path to Settlement: As a long-term work visa, it offers a route to indefinite leave to remain after 5 years of residence.
Initial Stability: You must remain with your sponsoring employer for the first 6 months, ensuring tangible contributions to the UK economy in the early stage.
Income-based Extension: Visa extension depends on your personal income record in the UK rather than employer sponsorship, reflecting incentives for talented individuals who have successfully settled in the UK