This week, the UK launched a new immigration route to attract top talent into the country. The new scale-up visa pathway launched on 22nd August 2022, aimed at highly skilled individuals who will support the growth of UK businesses. It is part of the government’s aim to promote innovation and success. Rishi Sunak has emphasised the importance of a new route that will make it “ quicker and easier for fast-growing businesses to bring in highly skilled individuals” to the UK.

What Is The Scale-Up Visa?

The scale-up visa is a type of visa specifically for what are considered ‘scale-up’ businesses. Scale-ups rely heavily on international talent. For 21% of scale-ups surveyed in the Scaleup Institute 2021 annual review, a quarter or more of staff had come from outside the UK. 

Moreover, 45% of scale-ups employing those staff consider it ‘very important or vital’ to have access to a fast track visa for hiring candidates from overseas. Uniquely, the rules allow scale-up visa holders to leave their sponsored role after 6 months and switch to an unsponsored role. But there are some things that you will need to be aware of.

Who Is Eligible?

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

• have a confirmed job offer to work for an approved scale-up business for at least 6 months

• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK

• have a job offer to do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations

• be paid a minimum salary in your new job

You also need to be proficient in the English language - B1 level . You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply. You can apply online for the visa. How you apply depends on whether you’re:

• outside the UK and are coming to the UK

• inside the UK and extending your current visa 

• inside the UK and switching from a different visa 

 For more information, visit the Gov.UK website

What Are The Advantages Of The Visa?

From what has been said about the visa so far, there are many benefits to it over other options. You can stay in the UK with a Scale-up Worker visa for 2 years. You’ll need to apply to extend your visa when it expires. You can extend your visa as many times as you like by 3 years, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After 5 years, you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’). This gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible.

Regarding the new visa, Kevin Foster, Minister for Safe and Legal Migration, said:

“Through our Scale-up visa, we’re enabling businesses to focus on their growth and innovation by giving them more freedom to bring in the diverse skills and experience they need, making them more attractive on an international stage."

The new visa presents an excellent opportunity to work for top employers in the UK. Start your journey with www.employin5.com