As part of the UK Government’s plans to help rapidly expanding businesses, a new visa route is opening on 22 August 2022.

The Scale-Up visa route is designed to help make it easier for companies to hire highly qualified labour from across the globe.

On this note, there are two main branch routes offered by the UK Government:

  • Sponsored Application Route
  • Unsponsored Application Route

If an individual is successful on the sponsored route, they will be eligible to stay in the country for a period of two years.

On the unsponsored route, an individual can stay for a period of three years.

Who is eligible for the Sponsored Application route?

Certain criteria must be met by applicants looking to make a sponsored application, these are:

  • Be aged 18 years or over
  • Have a genuine job
  • Have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship (CoP) from a UK Scale-Up Sponsor (this must also confirm sponsorship will last for at least six months)
  • Have a job pitched at the appropriate skill level (RQF Level 6 which is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree)
  • Meet the English language standard requirements (B1)
  • Meet the salary requirements of a salary equal to or exceeding: £33,000, or £10.58 per hour, and the standard rate for the role
  • Hold a valid medical certificate with TB screening if needed

Who is eligible for the Unsponsored Application route?

 

If an individual has previously been granted entry clearance as a sponsored applicant, they may make an unsponsored application. Whilst the criteria for an unsponsored application is less rigorous, they need to meet the following:

  • Be aged 18 years or over
  • Previously been granted permission as a Scale-up worker
  • Meet the English language requirement
  • Hold a valid medical certificate with TB screening if required
  • Earned monthly PAYE equivalent to at least £33,000 per year for at least 50 per cent of permission as a Scale-up worker

What is needed to become a Scale-up Sponsor?

To become a Scale-up sponsor, your business must be able to demonstrate either employment growth of 20 per cent (in addition to employing at least 10 people) or three years of annual average revenue growth of 20 per cent.

Sponsors also need to be on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors and listed as A-rated.

More guidance from the UK Government on becoming a sponsor is due in the coming weeks.

If you would like to learn more about the opportunities that the scale-up visa can offer you or your business, please speak to our Head of Immigration Skylar McKeith by calling +44 (0) 20 7240 0521 or emailing skylar.mckeith@mackrell.com

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