Scale-up Worker visa

To be eligible for a Scale-up Worker visa, you must: 

• Have an offer of employment from an approved Scale-up sponsor for at least 6 months 

• Hold a Certificate of Sponsorship from your employer  

The job offer must meet the following requirements:  

• You must be sponsored for a job in an occupation code listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations that is identified as eligible for the Scale-up route 

• Your salary must equal or exceed all of the following:  

Scale-up visa: table of eligible occupations 

Scale-up visa: list of approved employers (‘Scale-up Worker’ must be listed in the ‘Route’ column in the table) 

To apply for a Scale-up you must also: 

• Prove your knowledge of English at level CEFR B1 (you will meet this if you have been previously granted with a Student visa to study with us) 

• Prove that you have held a minimum of £1270 in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days prior to application. You do not need to show funds if you have been in the UK with a valid visa for 12 consecutive months prior to the date of application.  

• You may also need to submit a valid Tuberculosis (TB) certificate if you have lived in a country that requires TB testing 

• Submit a valid ATAS certificate, if this is required for your employment  

Immigration Rules – Appendix English Language  

Gov. UK: tuberculosis test 

Apply for an ATAS certificate 

You can apply for a Scale-up visa from your country of nationality or from the UK if you are eligible. You must apply online.  

Scale-up visa: who can apply from the UK 

Scale-up visa: costs 

The visa will be granted for 2 years.  

Work: you must be employed in the job for which you are being sponsored for the first 6 months of your visa; after six months, you are permitted to leave your sponsored job and to work (without sponsorship) full-time at any skill level.  

You are not permitted to work as a professional sportsperson or coach.  

If you are switching from a Tier 4/Student visa, you must abide by your Tier 4/Student visa conditions until when your Scale-up is visa is granted. 

Study: study is permitted. You must obtain an ATAS certificate if this is required by your programme.  

Public funds: Scale-up visa holders cannot access public funds 

Family members: if your family members are eligible, they can apply to come to/stay in the UK as your Dependants.  

Scale-up visa dependants 

You can extend your visa as many times as you like (each grant will be valid for 3 years) as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. You may be able to apply for UK settlement after having spent 5 years in the UK with a Scale-up visa. 

Scale-up visa extension requirements