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Scale-Up Visa

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

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Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is the Scale-Up Visa?

The Scale-Up visa is a hybrid work visa, which enables qualifying foreign workers to come to the UK to work in a sponsored role. After 6 months of working in the UK, the original employer of the worker, will no longer sponsor them after this period, even if they continue to employ them. At this point, the worker will be able to continue working for the employer without the need of being sponsored.  

Who can apply for a Scale-Up Visa?

For this route, talented individuals who can be recruited by a UK Scale-Up Sponsor and have the skill set to enable the business’s growth, will be eligible. Furthermore, the applicant will need to have a highly skilled job offer from said qualifying scale-up business, at the required salary level.  

Additionally, there are two pathways available under this route – the Sponsored Application route and Unsponsored Application route. If you are applying initially for the Scale-Up route, then you will need to make a sponsored application, whereas if you have previously been granted permission as a scale-up worker, then you may follow the unsponsored application route.  

What are the requirements?

As this route enables scale-up businesses to employ highly skilled workers from abroad, this means that the worker must meet the following requirements: 

  • Be able to demonstrate a genuine job offer at the required skill-level 
  • Be aged 18 or over 
  • You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by the qualifying Scale-Up sponsor for the job that you intend to do 
  • Be paid at least £34,600 per annum or the ‘going rate’ for the occupation code in question, whichever is the higher of these figures 
  • The applicant must be able to work for their UK sponsor for a minimum of 6 months 
  • To demonstrate proficiency in the English language – Level B1 or above 
  • Have sufficient funds to support themselves on arrival in the UK – £1,270 to be precise.  

 

Not to mention, to successfully sponsor a scale-up worker, you must be able and intend to offer employment that not only meets the skill-level and salary requirements for this route but is also genuine and abides by the rules on third-party working. This requirement is critical, as the UKVI will not permit the application if they have any reasonable grounds to believe that the job role does not exist or has been created to allow the migrant worker to apply for entry clearance or permission to stay.  

What is the Scale-Up Visa processing time?

For this Scale-Up Visa route, once the applicant has successfully applied online and provided the necessary documents and their biometric information, you should receive a decision on your visa within 3 weeks if you’re outside the UK. On the other hand, if you’re inside the UK, you can expect a decision in 8 weeks.  

How to apply for a Scale-Up Visa?

To apply for the Scale-Up Visa, will depend on your circumstance. For instance, if you are applying from outside the UK, you will need to apply online and provide supporting documentation, as well as prove your identity.  

Regarding the supporting documentation you will need to provide, this will typically include: 

  • Your certificate of sponsorship reference number – this will be provided by your employer  
  • Proof of your knowledge of English  
  • A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality  
  • Your job title and annual salary 
  • Your job’s occupation code  
  • The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number – this will be presented on your certificate of sponsorship 

How long does a Scale-Up Visa last?

The Scale-Up Visa will grant the applicant, on a Sponsored Application route, to entry clearance or permission to stay for a period of 2 years. However, at the end of the 2-year grant of permission, you will be able to make an unsponsored application. If this is granted for the applicant, they will be able to stay for a period of 3 years.  

Additionally, after 5 years’ lawful continuous residence in the UK on the scale-up route, the overseas worker can then apply to settle permanently in the UK, otherwise recognised as indefinite leave to remain.  

How much does it cost to get a Scale-Up Visa?

For a Scale-Up Visa, you will need enough money to cover the application fee (£822), pay the healthcare surcharge (which is usually £624 per year) and to support yourself when you arrive in the UK (which is typically £1,270 in your bank account). Please note that these fees can vary depending on your circumstance, so we can inform you of how much you can expect to pay when you apply for this visa route. 

Can my dependents be included as part of my Scale-Up Visa?

Applicants may be joined or accompanied by a partner and dependent children if they’re eligible. To be eligible for this route, a dependent or child is any of the following: 

  • Your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner 
  • Your child under 18 – including if they were born in the UK during your stay 
  • Your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependent 

 

Each family member will be required to complete a separate application and pay the relevant visa fee – they must apply before they decide to travel to the UK. 

How can I apply to include my dependents as part of my Scale-Up Visa?

To successfully apply to join you or stay in the UK as your dependents, they must be eligible first and foremost. Your partner and/or child will need to demonstrate their eligible to join you as a dependent, by providing evidence of their relationship with you. 

For your partner, they must be able to prove that either: 

  • You’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK 
  • You’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years 

 

For your child, they must: 

  • Live with you, unless they’re living away from home in full-time education – for example, at boarding school or university 
  • Not be married or in a civil partnership 
  • You’ll need to provide evidence of their address, such as: 
  • A bank statement 
  • Credit card bills 
  • Driving licence 
  • NHS registration document 
  • An official letter from their university or college 

 

Additionally, your partner and children must have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK. The relevant amounts are listed for your reference below: 

  • £285 for your partner 
  • £315 for one child 
  • £200 for each additional child 

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

Our team of immigration experts can help advise you on all aspects of the Scale-Up Visa route – from providing you guidance with the application process to ensuring that this visa route will best progress your career goals, win align with your immigration status. We pride ourselves on being approachable, proactive, and understanding in meeting our client’s needs. We are a highly driven team, dedicated to providing you with clear yet detailed advice regarding this visa route. Please contact us today to find out more.  

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.