Pros and Cons of the Scale-up Visa

Sep 8, 2022

The scale-up worker visa route opened on 22 August 2022. It allows workers to come to the UK to work for an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business, subject to meeting eligibility criteria. The Home Office has opened this route to attract top talent to the UK, and it allows flexibility to migrant workers and growing organisations. It is intended that this visa route will enable businesses to process worker visas more quickly and efficiently, with reduced expense and responsibility for the sponsor.

Who can use this visa route?

The scale-up visa category is particularly attractive to high-growth businesses wanting to hire workers into highly skilled roles for periods of at least 6-months.

Businesses that hold a scale-up sponsor licence can sponsor a migrant worker for 2 years, provided they intend to employ the individual for at least 6 months. After the 2 years a migrant worker’s visa can be extended for another 3 years. Following the initial 6-month period, sponsorship duties end automatically, so the applicant can change role and employer without needing to apply for a new visa.

The aim of this visa is to provide a more cost-effective and less administratively burdensome option for scale-up businesses. The flexibility of this route should allow UK businesses to attract highly skilled workers from the international market.

Eligibility requirements

There are requirements that both the sponsoring organisation and the migrant worker must meet to be eligible for sponsorship under this new route.

The sponsoring organisation must:

  • Be an approved employer with a scale-up sponsor licence. The sponsor organisation must be a high-growth organisation which, in the 3-year period prior to becoming approved to sponsor scale-up workers they:
    • grew by 20% on average in either employment numbers or turnover; and
    • had at least 10 employees at the start of the 3-year period.
  • Assign a certificate of sponsorship to the migrant worker, evidencing that the applicant and role meet eligibility requirements
  • Provide the migrant worker with a job for at least the initial 6 months of their visa

The migrant worker must:

  • Have a job on the list of eligible occupations which meets the minimum salary requirements, with an approved scale-up sponsor for at least 6 months
  • Have a certificate of sponsorship from the sponsor
  • Meet the English language requirements of at least level B1 CEFR
Advantages and disadvantages of the Scale-up visa

Advantages of the scale-up route are:

  • There is no Immigration Skills Charge, saving sponsors up to £1,000 per year of the visa
  • It allows flexibility for both the sponsor and the migrant worker as the migrant worker only needs to work for the sponsor for the initial 6 months of the visa
  • It has lower visa application fees than for Skilled Worker visas
  • Sponsorship compliance duties to the Home Office drop away after the initial 6 months
  • It allows for greater flexibility as migrant workers can change roles within the organisation and beyond without needing to apply for a new visa
  • This route can lead to settlement following 5 years continuous residence, either solely on this route or when combined with other qualifying visa routes. Following 5 years continuous residence in the UK, migrant workers can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, subject to meeting eligibility requirements and
  • Qualifying family members can apply for dependant visas, subject to meeting the requirements of the dependant visa. The dependant visa can also lead to settlement

Disadvantages of the scale-up route:

  • The sponsoring organisation still needs to apply for a new scale-up sponsor licence, and they need to sponsor the migrant workers
  • The minimum salary threshold is whichever is higher of £33,000 per year or the ‘going rate’ for the job. This is higher than the £25,600 salary requirement for the Skilled Worker visa
  • The sponsoring organisation bears the risk that the migrant worker will leave and work for another employer following the initial 6-month period

To summarise, there are many benefits to fast-growing organisations and migrant workers alike to consider this visa route. However, sponsor organisations will need to qualify for this sponsorship category and there are more risks to the sponsor, so it is expected that the Skilled Worker visa will remain the dominant work visa route to the UK.

For further information or to discuss the issues raised by this update, please contact our Employment Group on 01276 854663 or employment@herrington-carmichael.com.

 

This reflects the law at the date of publication and is written as a general guide. It does not contain definitive legal advice, which should be sought as appropriate in relation to a particular matter.

Usof Shah

Usof Shah

Senior Solicitor, Immigration
t: 01276 748 387
e: usof.shah@herrington-carmichael.com

Sign up

Enter your email address for legal updates on Employment & Immigration Law.

Please see our privacy policy regarding use of your data.


Contact Us

Tel: +44 (0) 1276 686 222 or

Latest News & Insights

Podcasts

The Legal Room UK Podcast features a diverse range of specialists offering expertise on a variety of topics. 
Subscribe on whatever podcast platform you use.

Top Legal Insights

 

Contract Law

Material Breach of Contract

What is a ‘material’ breach of contract by a party to a commercial contract? This is a critical issue regularly considered by the courts. What constitutes a material breach and what are the remedies?

Property Law

Commercial Lease: The Financial impact on Landlord and Tenant

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the restrictions now in place to control its spread, are having a significant effect on many business sectors.

Divorce and Family Law

Divorce in Lockdown: Can I get some discreet legal advice?

We have spoken to clients who are unfortunately experiencing some family issues, and would like to obtain expert legal advice, yet don’t know how...

Land & Property Dispute

Restrictive Covenants – The Price of Modification

Having identified that your land is burdened by a restrictive covenant and for the purposes of this article the covenant in question will be that only one residential building can be erected on the land. What do you do next?

Wills, Trusts and Probate

Why is having a will so important?

It is entirely up to you if and when you want to create a Will, but it is important to be aware of the consequences of not having a Will.

Award winning legal advice

Herrington Carmichael offers legal advice to UK and International businesses as well as individuals and families. Rated as a ‘Leading Firm 2024’ by the legal directory Legal 500 and listed in The Times ‘Best Law Firms 2023 & 2024’. Herrington Carmichael has offices in London, Farnborough, Reading, and Ascot.

+44 (0)1276 686 222

Email: info@herrington-carmichael.com

Farnborough
Brennan House, Farnborough Aerospace Centre Business Park, Farnborough, GU14 6XR

Reading (Appointment only)
The Abbey, Abbey Gardens, Abbey Street, Reading RG1 3BA

Ascot (Appointment only)
102, Berkshire House, 39-51 High Street, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7HY

London (Appointment only)
60 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4JS

Privacy Policy   |   Legal Notices, T&Cs, Complaints Resolution   |   Cookies  |   Client Feedback   |  Diversity Data

 

 

Our Services

Corporate Lawyers
Commercial Lawyers
Commercial Property Lawyers
Conveyancing Solicitors
Dispute Resolution Lawyers
Divorce & Family Lawyers
Employment Lawyers
Immigration Law Services
Private Wealth & Inheritance Lawyers
Startups & New Business Lawyers

Pay Online >

Please be aware that we have no plans to change our bank details. If you receive any indication that any of our bank details have changed please contact us before sending us any funds. We take no responsibility for monies you transfer into the wrong bank account.

© 2024 Herrington Carmichael LLP. Registered in England and Wales company number OC322293.

Herrington Carmichael LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with registration number 446245.