Scale-up visa terms and conditions

Terms and conditions for scale-up visa - legal assistance

Thousands of qualified specialists and ambitious entrepreneurs from different parts of the world arrive in Great Britain every year. This popularity did not arise by chance. Among the many reasons that attract foreign workers to the United Kingdom, the most obvious are:

economic well-being of the country; a high level of income, be it salary or profit from entrepreneurial activity; unique work experience in one of the largest financial centers of the world, which helps to increase the professional level; the opportunity to move to the British Isles with the family, providing the children with a quality education and a happy future.

Visa benefits for UK scaling workers

The UK Scale-Up Worker visa allows foreign specialists to stay in England for 2 years. After 6 months of work with the sponsor, you can change employers without a new visa. The visa also allows for study, volunteering and additional work, including self-employment. If you earn enough, you can extend the status for 3 years even without a sponsor. After 5 years of permanent residence, permanent residence permit (ILR) can be obtained. Close relatives can move with the visa holders, who can also get permanent resident status.

English language requirements for the UK Scale-Up Worker visa

In order to obtain an extended work visa, it is necessary that the level of English is not lower than B1 according to the European CEFR scale.

The applicant for this visa must be fluent in English, understand work terminology and topics of interest. Although this does not mean full command of the language, it is no longer a "language barrier" to work in the UK.

Knowledge of English can be confirmed through a special test or by providing the immigration authorities with a diploma from an accredited higher education institution, where education was conducted in English.

Applicants from 17 countries that were once colonies of the British Empire are exempt from proof of English proficiency. Among them are also residents of Caribbean jurisdictions that grant citizenship to foreign investors.

How does the sponsorship system work in the Scale-up Worker program?

A fast-growing company employee visa requires you to be invited by a local firm that is growing rapidly and experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals. This company in the UK is ready to take responsibility for you as a sponsor. In addition, she is recognized by the UK Immigration Service as a sponsor and has a sponsor license which allows her to issue sponsorship certificates to foreign workers in your immigration program.

Which organization can act as a sponsor for the Scale-up Worker visa category?

British Immigration has two requirements for local sponsoring companies:

During the three years prior to applying for a sponsorship license, the company must demonstrate a 20% increase in the volume of business or the number of employed employees; At the beginning of this three-year period, the company must have at least 10 full-time employees.

What should businesses do that show steady growth but have been on the market for less than three years? In such a case, experts at the legal marketplace "Consultant" recommend obtaining approval for an application for a sponsor license from one of the organizations authorized by the government. An up-to-date list of British organizations that can sponsor foreign workers to obtain a Scale-up Worker visa is regularly published on the official website of the British government.

What criteria does the Home Office use to evaluate an applicant for a Scale-up Worker visa?

The main requirements for visa applicants for a fast-growing company employee consist of four points:

• You must receive a job offer from a successful, fast-growing UK company, with confirmation in the form of a certificate of sponsorship.
• You need to work in one of the in-demand specialties in the UK.
• Your annual salary must be at least £34,600 or meet the minimum wage set by the government for your occupation (whichever is the higher).
• You must work for your sponsor for at least 6 months immediately after moving.

The other requirements are almost identical to the standard criteria for UK work visas:

• Majority of the applicant;
• Good reputation;
• Proficiency in English at an above-average level (level B1 according to the European classification);
• Representatives of some countries must undergo a medical test for tuberculosis and provide its results.

How long will it take to get a Scale-up Worker visa?

A visa application can be submitted three months before the sponsorship certificate is valid. Hiring experienced immigration attorneys will significantly speed up the preparation of all necessary documents.

After submitting the application and confirming the identity of the applicant, the visa officers will need some time to make a decision:

• Up to three weeks if you are applying for a Scale-up Worker visa from outside the UK;
• Up to eight weeks if your application is from the UK.

Current questions - answers

The role of lawyers in cases where a scale-up visa is obtained

Lawyers play an important role in the process of obtaining a Scale-up Worker visa, providing advice on the requirements, assessing the suitability of the candidate, preparing all the necessary documents and sponsor certificates. They help ensure that the sponsoring company fulfills all the conditions, accompany during the application, resolve issues in case of refusal and represent the interests of the client in appeals. Lawyers also advise on the rights and responsibilities of holding a visa, offer individual solutions depending on specific circumstances and provide support in further steps, such as obtaining permanent residence or citizenship.

Cooperation with the "Consultant" platform in the field of legal services

If you need help in obtaining a scale-up visa, we recommend contacting professional lawyers on the website consultant.net.ua. Our lawyers have considerable experience in these cases and are ready to protect your rights and interests. Choosing the services of our lawyers, you can be sure of receiving high-quality legal assistance. For information on consultation prices and the cost of legal services, please call +447418377298.