🇬🇧 United Kingdom · Work Visa
Scale-up Visa
Sponsored by a qualifying fast-growing UK company (registered scale-up sponsor). Salary ≥ £36,300. After 6 months, the holder can work for any employer without further sponsorship.
- Scoring
- Employer-sponsored
- Timeline
- 20d–2mo
- Est. cost
- $3K
- Category
- Work Visa
Ready when you are
Find your immigration path.
Pick where you're headed. We score you against every visa we cover in that country.
1 of 4 selected.
Show me my matches, free→Key requirements
- Offer from a UK-registered Scale-up Sponsor (fast-growing company)
- Salary ≥ £36,300
- Role at RQF 6+ skill level
- After 6 months: free to switch employers without new sponsorship
Who this visa fits
Scale-up Visa is attractive because of the 6-month employer-freedom clause — it functions as a stepping stone to an unrestricted work permit. The bottleneck is that the sponsoring company must hold 'Scale-up Sponsor' status, which is separate from the standard Skilled Worker licence. Verify this before building the recommendation around it. Salary threshold (£36,300) is lower than Skilled Worker's £38,700 — a mild advantage for tech growth-stage hires.
Other United Kingdom visas
Work Visa
Skilled Worker
The main UK work visa for employer-sponsored roles. Requires a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-licensed sponsor paying at least £38,700 (or the shortage occupation rate if lower).
Work Visa
Global Talent
No-sponsor visa for leaders and rising stars in digital technology, arts and culture, or science and research. Requires endorsement from a recognised body (e.g. Tech Nation, Royal Society, British Academy, UKRI).
Business / Investor
Innovator Founder
For entrepreneurs launching an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. Requires endorsement from an approved endorsing body. No fixed minimum investment since 2023 rule changes.
Work Visa
High Potential Individual (HPI)
No-sponsor visa for graduates of top-50 globally ranked universities (according to the UK government's approved list) awarded within the last 5 years. Gives 2-3 years to work in the UK.
Work Visa
Graduate Visa
Post-study work visa for international students who have recently completed a UK degree. Allows 2 years of unsponsored work (3 years for PhD graduates).
Work Visa
Health and Care Worker
Fast-track, lower-cost variant of the Skilled Worker visa for doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and adult social care workers employed by the NHS or a CQC-registered care provider.
Ready when you are
Find your immigration path.
Pick where you're headed. We score you against every visa we cover in that country.
1 of 4 selected.
Show me my matches, free→