United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · work sponsored · Leads to settlement

Scale-up visa

By · Last reviewed:

Source check: all 7 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Sponsored route for workers joining qualifying fast-growing UK scale-up businesses, with faster settlement timelines.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residency2 years; extendable; leads to settlement after 5 years.
Processing time
Typically 3 weeks from outside the UK after CoS assignment.
Government fees
Application fee plus IHS £1,035/year. Verify current on GOV.UK.
Typical duration
2 years; extendable; leads to settlement after 5 years.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
Yes
Reviewed UK Home Office ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the Scale-up visa for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has typical processing of 3 weeks – 8 weeks. Sources: official United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland government pages, reviewed 10 September 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/uk/scale-up#answer

What is the Scale-up visa in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

Scale-up visa is a sponsor-led United Kingdom route. Indicative government fees are Application fee plus IHS £1,035/year. Verify current on GOV.UK; indicative processing time is Typically 3 weeks from outside the UK after CoS assignment; typical duration is 2 years; extendable; leads to settlement after 5 years. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against UK Home Office on 1 June 2026.

Overview

The Scale-up visa is a sponsored route specifically for employees joining companies that meet prescribed growth criteria (annualised revenue or employee growth of 20%+ over 3 years). After the first 6 months, the visa holder is no longer tied to the sponsor and may work flexibly.

Recent changes to this route

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

  • ✓Job offer from a Home Office–registered Scale-up sponsor.UK Home Office ↗
  • ✓Qualifying occupation and salary threshold.UK Home Office ↗
  • ✓English at CEFR Level B2 or above in reading, writing, listening and speaking for new applications and for switchers since 8 January 2026. B1 continues to apply only to extensions by people who held a Scale-up Worker visa before that date.UK Home Office ↗

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Secure offer from a Scale-up–registered sponsor

    The sponsor must appear on the Scale-up Sponsor register.

  2. Receive Certificate of Sponsorship

    CoS references the Scale-up route and occupation code.

  3. Apply for visa

    Submit the online application and attend biometrics.

  4. Work flexibly after 6 months

    After the initial 6 months with the sponsor, the visa holder may change employers or be self-employed without a new CoS.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Scale-up visa, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in United Kingdom. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. ApplyApplicant
    Apply for the Scale-up Worker visa ↗

    Use this GOV.UK form to apply after a Scale-up sponsor assigns the Certificate of Sponsorship.

    UK Home Office · verified

  2. ChecklistApplicant + sponsor
    Check Scale-up job requirements ↗

    Applicants and sponsors use this page to confirm the role, sponsor and salary conditions before filing.

    UK Home Office · verified

Fees and processing time

Indicative government fees: Application fee plus IHS £1,035/year. Verify current on GOV.UK.. A decision then typically takes 3 weeks – 8 weeks. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I switch employers on a Scale-up visa?+

Yes, after an initial 6-month period with the sponsoring Scale-up employer. After that, the visa is unsponsored and permits flexible work.

Does the UK Scale-up visa lead to permanent settlement, and how long does it take?+

Yes. The Scale-up visa is granted for 2 years initially and is extendable, and it leads to settlement after 5 years of continuous residence. Confirm the current settlement requirements on GOV.UK.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in United Kingdom

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: UK Home Office

Last checked: 1 June 2026

See the full evidence trail and methodology