Scale-up Visa UK

Scale-up visa: 6 months sponsored work then unsponsored, £36,300 salary floor, only qualifying scale-up employers and 5-year path to settlement.

Wesbridge Associates is an IAA-regulated UK immigration law firm. Our advisers support individuals, families and UK sponsors with skilled worker visas, sponsor licences, family routes, settlement (ILR), British citizenship, appeals and compliance — combining experienced legal advice with AI-powered self-service tools.

Reviewed by Wesbridge Associates' IAA-regulated immigration advisers. Last updated: July 2026.

The Scale-up visa is a sponsored route for high-skilled workers joining fast-growing UK businesses that meet HMRC-style growth tests. It is sponsored for the first 6 months but becomes an unsponsored, self-directed route for the remainder of its 2-year grant, and leads to ILR after 5 years. Wesbridge Associates supports scale-ups obtaining and using the licence, and advises workers on switches, extensions and settlement.

Who qualifies (the worker)

You need (a) a Certificate of Sponsorship from a Home Office-approved Scale-up sponsor, (b) a graduate-level job at RQF Level 6 in an eligible SOC 2020 occupation, (c) a salary of at least £36,300 per year or £15.88 per hour or the going rate for the SOC code — whichever is highest, (d) English at CEFR B1, and (e) enough personal savings (£1,270 held for 28 days, unless the sponsor certifies maintenance). The sponsored element is only the first 6 months; you do not need to remain with that employer after that, and can work for any employer, change jobs, be self-employed or start a company.

Who qualifies (the sponsor)

A UK business can hold a Scale-up licence if it can evidence, from HMRC data or from its own annualised figures for a shorter period, annualised growth of at least 20% in turnover or staffing over the previous 3 years and had 10+ employees at the start of that 3-year period. The Home Office runs an endorsement route as an alternative for firms that don't yet meet the HMRC test. Scale-up sponsors face lighter compliance duties than Skilled Worker sponsors and pay no Immigration Skills Charge for Scale-up workers.

How it works with Wesbridge

Step 1 — licence check: we confirm your employer holds a Scale-up sponsor licence and that the CoS SOC code and salary are compliant. Step 2 — CoS and application: online application, £284/£551 fees (depending on length), full IHS (£1,035/year) for up to 2 years. Step 3 — biometrics and decision (priority services available). Step 4 — after 6 months you are free of sponsorship — but you must still be economically active for at least 50% of any monitoring period the Home Office reviews. Step 5 — extension: after the initial 2 years you can extend for 3 more years, then apply for ILR at 5 years subject to 180-day absence rule, salary at ILR level, Life in the UK and English at B1.

Route to settlement

Scale-up counts for ILR after 5 continuous years. Extensions after the first 2 years are self-sponsored (no CoS needed) but require you to show you have been engaged in Pay-As-You-Earn employment for at least 50% of the time — 24 months of the 36-month extension period, or 6 months of the initial 2-year grant. Dependants (partner and children under 18) can join or accompany you and their time in line counts alongside yours for ILR.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change jobs on a Scale-up visa?

Yes — after the initial 6 months of sponsored employment you can work for any employer, be self-employed, run a company or take multiple roles without needing a new Certificate of Sponsorship. You cannot leave the sponsor during those first 6 months without ending the visa.

Is there an Immigration Skills Charge?

No. Scale-up sponsors do not pay the Immigration Skills Charge for workers sponsored under this route — a significant saving over Skilled Worker (£1,000 per year per worker for medium/large sponsors).

How is the 50% PAYE requirement checked at extension and ILR?

The Home Office reviews HMRC PAYE records for the qualifying period. You need PAYE employment of at least 50% of the relevant period — 6 months out of the initial 2 years, or 24 months out of the 3-year extension. Self-employment, dividend-only director income and periods abroad do not count towards this test, though they are permitted alongside it.

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