Sponsor overseas workers
Get a sponsor licence to hire skilled workers from outside the UK. Covers licence fees, salary thresholds, Immigration …
Immigration
Recruit international talent with Scale-Up Visa
How to sponsor skilled workers on the Scale-Up Visa route for high-growth businesses.
UK-wide
Guide summary
Apply for a Scale-Up Visa sponsor licence if your business has grown by 20% annually over 3 years and has at least 10 employees. You can then hire skilled workers who can leave after 2 years. Workers must earn at least £39,100 per year.
- Check your growth: 20%+ over 3 years with 10+ start employees
- Apply for a sponsor licence with Scale-Up route
- Pay the licence fee and submit documents
- Wait for approval (typically 8 weeks)
- Issue Certificates of Sponsorship to workers
- Worker minimum salary: £39,100 per year
- Sponsorship tie lasts 2 years only
- Exempt from Immigration Skills Charge
- Worker can apply for settlement after 5 years in UK
- Use Home Office online service to apply
On this page
UK-wide
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The Scale-Up Visa is an immigration route designed for fast-growing UK businesses. It allows you to sponsor skilled workers from overseas with more flexibility than the standard Skilled Worker visa.
Scale-Up Visa requirements
Key differences from Skilled Worker Visa
| Feature | Scale-Up Visa | Skilled Worker Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Employer tie-in | 2 years only | Duration of visa |
| Switching sponsor | Free after 2 years | Requires new sponsorship |
| Employer requirements | 20% growth, 10+ employees | Any licensed sponsor |
| Settlement path | 5 years | 5 years |
How to become a Scale-Up sponsor
- Check you meet the growth criteria (20%+ over 3 years, 10+ start employees)
- Apply for a sponsor licence with Scale-Up route
- Pay the licence fee and submit supporting documents
- Wait for approval (typically 8 weeks)
- Issue Certificates of Sponsorship to workers you want to hire