On 22 August 2022, the Home Office launched a new visa route for high growth UK companies to sponsor high skilled individuals.
The new visa category has a sponsored and unsponsored application processes. The first sponsored stage allows the workers to live in the UK for two years and requires them to be sponsored by a Scale – up sponsor for the initial six months. Following this period, the workers are free to continue working for the same employer or change employer without a need for sponsorship.
The second unsponsored stage allows Scale – up workers to live for a further three years, provided that they have earned monthly PAYE earning equivalent to at least £33,000 per year during for at least 50% of their permission as a Scale – up worker and they meet other requirements of the route, such as the English language requirement.
To be eligible for a Scale – up sponsor licence, businesses must show an annualised growth in either turnover or staffing of at least 20% for the previous three – year trading period and that they had a minimum of ten employees at the start of the three – year period.
The new route offers more flexibility than the Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility Senior and Specialist Worker visa routes. It is intended to make it easier for eligible high growth UK companies to recruit talent to continue growing. It is also important to note that this route has no Immigration Skills Charge, an additional charge paid by employers when sponsoring a Skilled Worker or Senior or Specialist Worker.
You can find our latest presentation about the Scale – up Visa and more here.
