This comprehensive Scale-up Visa UK guidance covers everything skilled professionals need to know about working for high-growth UK businesses in 2026. The Scale-up route offers a unique advantage over other work visas: after just 6 months of sponsorship, you gain complete employment flexibility without needing to update your visa or find a new sponsor. This guide explains the requirements, £880 application fee, updated £39,100 salary threshold, and the pathway to UK settlement.
Scale-up Visa UK Guidance 2026
The Scale-up Visa UK is a specialised work visa introduced in August 2022, designed to help fast-growing UK businesses recruit international talent with greater flexibility than the Skilled Worker visa. The route operates as a hybrid work visa: you need sponsorship for the initial 6 months, but after this period, you can change employers, become self-employed, or take on additional work without any immigration restrictions.
What is the Scale-up Visa Route?
The Scale-up Visa is a UK work visa that allows skilled professionals to work for high-growth UK businesses. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, you only need sponsorship for the first 6 months—after this period, you gain complete employment freedom without needing to inform the Home Office or apply for a new visa when changing jobs.
The Scale-up route is part of the UK's points-based immigration system and offers several advantages for both workers and employers. For workers, it provides a faster path to employment flexibility and eventual settlement. For employers, it offers a streamlined sponsorship process with reduced ongoing obligations compared to other work routes.
Scale-up Visa vs Skilled Worker Visa
Scale-up Visa UK Requirements 2026
To qualify for a Scale-up Visa UK, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria under the points-based system. The requirements have been updated in 2025 and 2026, including significant changes to salary thresholds and English language requirements.
What is the Salary Threshold for Scale-up Visa?
From 22 July 2025, the minimum salary for Scale-up Visa applications is £39,100 per year or the "going rate" for your occupation code, whichever is higher. This increased from the previous threshold of £36,300. Your job must be skilled to RQF Level 6 (graduate level).
- Age: Must be at least 18 years old
- Job Offer: From a licensed UK Scale-up sponsor for at least 6 months
- Certificate of Sponsorship: Valid CoS from your employer
- Skill Level: Job must be at RQF Level 6 (graduate level) or above
- Salary: At least £39,100 or the going rate for your occupation
- English Language: CEFR Level B2 (from 8 January 2026)
- Financial Requirement: At least £1,270 in savings (or sponsor certification)
- Points: Total of 70 points required under the points-based system
How to Apply for the Scale-up Visa UK
The Scale-up Visa application process is completed entirely online through the gov.uk portal. You can apply up to 3 months before your job start date as specified on your Certificate of Sponsorship.
- Step 1: Secure a job offer from a licensed Scale-up sponsor
- Step 2: Receive your Certificate of Sponsorship reference number
- Step 3: Complete the online application and pay the £880 fee
- Step 4: Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035/year)
- Step 5: Provide biometrics at a visa application centre
- Step 6: Submit supporting documents (passport, English test, finances)
- Step 7: Wait for decision (3 weeks from outside UK)
Scale-up Visa UK Fees 2026
The Scale-up Visa fees include the application cost, healthcare surcharge, and optional priority services:
Processing Times
The standard Scale-up Visa processing time depends on where you apply from. Applications from outside the UK are typically decided within 3 weeks, while applications from inside the UK (switching or extending) take approximately 8 weeks.
Scale-up Visa Change of Employer
During the first 6 months, you must stay with your sponsoring employer unless you apply to update your visa with a new sponsor. After 6 months, you can freely change employers, become self-employed, or take on additional work without notifying the Home Office or updating your visa.
This employment flexibility is the key advantage of the Scale-up route. Here's how the change of employer rules work at different stages:
During the First 6 Months
- Must remain with sponsor: You are required to work for your sponsoring employer in the role specified on your CoS
- To change employer: You must apply to update your visa with a new Certificate of Sponsorship
- Additional work allowed: You can take on supplementary employment alongside your sponsored role
- Same employer flexibility: You can change to a different eligible role with the same employer without updating your visa
After 6 Months
- Complete freedom: You can change or stop doing your job without informing the Home Office
- Self-employment: You can become self-employed or start your own business
- Multiple jobs: You can work for multiple employers simultaneously
- No visa update: You do not need to apply for a new visa or notify anyone of changes
Settlement Pathway for Scale-up Visa Holders
The Scale-up Visa offers a clear pathway to permanent residence in the UK. After 5 years of continuous residence, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
ILR Eligibility Requirements
- 5 years continuous residence: Time can be combined with other qualifying work routes
- Absences limit: No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period
- Earnings requirement: UK PAYE employment at £39,100+ (if CoS assigned from 22 July 2025)
- 24-month earnings history: Must show monthly PAYE earnings at threshold for 24 months in last 3 years
- Life in the UK Test: Pass the citizenship knowledge test
- Application fee is £880 plus £1,035/year healthcare surcharge
- Minimum salary threshold is £39,100 from 22 July 2025
- English requirement increases to B2 from 8 January 2026
- Only 6 months sponsorship required—then full employment freedom
- No Immigration Skills Charge for employers
- Settlement possible after 5 years continuous residence
For complete guidance on the Scale-up Visa application process, visit the official gov.uk Scale-up Worker visa page. The Immigration Rules Appendix Scale-up contains the detailed eligibility criteria and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Scale-up Visa UK?
The Scale-up Visa is a UK work visa that allows skilled professionals to work for fast-growing UK businesses. Unlike the Skilled Worker visa, it requires sponsorship only for the first 6 months—after this period, you gain complete employment flexibility and can change jobs, become self-employed, or take additional work without updating your visa.
What is the minimum salary for Scale-up Visa 2026?
From 22 July 2025, the minimum salary threshold for Scale-up Visa applications is £39,100 per year or the "going rate" for your occupation code, whichever is higher. This increased from the previous threshold of £36,300. For extensions, the threshold depends on when your original Certificate of Sponsorship was assigned.
How much does the Scale-up Visa cost?
The Scale-up Visa application fee is £880 per person. You must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year (£2,070 for a 2-year visa). Priority processing costs an additional £500 (5 working days) or £1,000 for Super Priority (next working day). Dependants pay the same £880 fee each.
Can I change employer on a Scale-up Visa?
During the first 6 months, you must apply to update your visa if you want to change employers. After 6 months, you can freely change employers, become self-employed, or take on additional work without notifying the Home Office or updating your visa. This employment flexibility is the key advantage of the Scale-up route.
How long can I stay on a Scale-up Visa?
The initial Scale-up Visa is granted for 2 years. You can extend for 3 years at a time without needing a new sponsor, as long as you meet the earnings requirements. There is no limit on extensions. After 5 years of continuous residence, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement).
What is the English requirement for Scale-up Visa 2026?
From 8 January 2026, new Scale-up Visa applicants must demonstrate English at CEFR Level B2 (A-Level standard), up from B1. This applies to initial applications only—extensions are not affected. You can prove English through an approved SELT test, a degree taught in English, or if you're from a majority English-speaking country.
Can I bring my family on a Scale-up Visa?
Yes, your spouse or partner and children under 18 can apply to join you as dependants. Each family member pays the £880 application fee plus the healthcare surcharge. Dependants can work and study in the UK without restrictions and can apply for settlement alongside you after 5 years.
How do I extend my Scale-up Visa?
To extend your Scale-up Visa, you must show UK PAYE earnings at or above the applicable threshold (£39,100 for recent CoS) for at least 50% of your most recent permission period. You do not need a new sponsor or Certificate of Sponsorship. Apply online, pay the £880 fee plus healthcare surcharge, and expect a decision within 8 weeks.