The Scale-up visa came into force on 22 August 2022, and the government has now published new guidance for employers on sponsoring a worker under this new route.  

The Scale-up route allows employers who are in a sustained period of high growth to recruit people to work in the UK in highly skilled roles (at skill level of RQF6 or above). The role must also have a minimum annual salary of £33,000 or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher. Permission is granted for an initial two years, but the worker will only be sponsored for the first six months of this. Thereafter, their immigration status will no longer be tied to that employer, and they will be free to work for any employer in any role. However, to subsequently seek a visa extension for a further three years, they will need to demonstrate that they have had monthly UK PAYE earnings equivalent to at least £33,000 per year during at least 50% of their time in the Scale-up route. 

Source: New feed