The Advantages of the Scale-up Visa

The Scale-up Visa is designed to help fast-growing UK businesses attract skilled professionals from around the world. It is intended to help the UK’s economy to grow by supporting the scaling up of fast-growing businesses and to help them to access the UK’s world-class talent, customers, and resources.

Eligibility Criteria for the  Scale-up Visa

To be eligible, the applicant must meet the following criteria;

• Have an eligible job offer from a UK-based company with a minimum salary of £33,000 and a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from their employer.
• Meet with the English language requirements.
• The sponsor must demonstrate 20% overall employee growth and three years of average revenue over a three-year period preceding the application and have at least 10 employees at the beginning of the three-year period.

Once issued the successful applicant can work for their sponsor for at least 6 months, after which time they are free to work independently.

The Advantages of the Scale-up Visa

One of the main benefits of the Scale-up Visa is that it allows entrepreneurs and start-up founders to work independently after the initial 6-month sponsorship.  This can be an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to access the UK’s business environment, which is considered one of the most entrepreneurial in the world. Applicants are also able to sponsor their dependents under this visa category. Furthermore, there is no Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) to be paid by employers and the Home Office visa processing fee is less than that under the Skilled Worker Visa.

Scale-up Visa Route to Settlement

After residing in the UK for a period of five years under this visa category the applicant can apply to settle in the UK by applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). This can be a significant advantage for those who wish to make a long-term commitment to living and working in the UK and for those who want to start their own business in the UK.

The disadvantage of this route is that it requires a higher minimum salary than the Skilled Worker Visa which is  £25,600. Also, as the migrant can work independently after the initial 6-month period, this may prove problematic for the sponsor due to the initial investment of time and expense to obtain the necessary sponsorship licence.

Overview

In conclusion, the UK Scale-up Visa is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs, start-up founders, and their teams to live and work in the UK, access new business opportunities, gain a fast track to ILR and gain international experience. If you are an entrepreneur or start-up founder looking to take your business to the next level, the Scale-up Visa could be the perfect opportunity for you.

How can NA Law Solicitors help?

NA Law Solicitors can help you to make a successful application for the Scale-up Visa. We have extensive experience helping individuals come to the UK. Using our services, you can rest assured that your application is in good hands as we have a track record for making successful applications. 

If you require our assistance making a Scale-up Visa application or require advice on alternative visa options, please contact us or call us on 0203 5245439 for a friendly chat with one of our expert immigration solicitors.