Scale-up

What is the Scale-up Worker route?


The Scale-up Worker route is for talented individuals recruited by a UK Scale-up Sponsor who have the skills needed to enable the Scale-up business to continue growing.

Key features

  • Work: all work is permitted (including self-employment and voluntary work) except work as a professional sportsperson.
  • Dependants: the spouses or partners and/or children of Scale-up Workers are permitted to join or remain with the main applicant in the UK and undertake work and study (subject to certain restrictions).
  • Switching: migrants can switch from within the UK into this route from most other UK immigration routes.
  • Settlement: Scale-up Workers may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years’ continuous residence in the UK.

How we can help


Our team’s in-depth knowledge and involvement in Home Office lobbying and policy direction make us extremely well placed to advise on Scale-up Worker applications. We assist on the entire application process, from obtaining a Scale-up sponsor licence to advising on complex business structures to ensure that clients meet the immigration requirements for future extension and settlement applications.

Our legal fees


Fixed fees
We work on a fixed fee basis. Our fees for individual Scale-up Worker applications typically range from £5000+ plus VAT and disbursements depending upon the issues, urgencies and complexities involved.

Disbursements
You can expect the main disbursements to include:

  • Home Office filing fees (click here for the government’s visa/entry clearance fee calculator and here for a list of all Home Office fees);
  • Immigration Health Surcharge fees, if applicable;
  • Optional premium service fees for in-country and out-of-country applications; and
  • Other ancillary disbursements such as Ecctis fees, biometric enrolment, translations, courier and postage charges, etc.

Latest Insights


Home Office publishes UK immigration statistics for the year ending June 2025

The Home Office published the latest immigration statistics yesterday, covering the year ending June 2025. The data shows marked declines in work,…

Natasha Chell quoted by numerous publications on sponsorship management system phishing attempts

Natasha Chell (Partner and Head of Risk and Compliance) has been quoted by DIGIT.FYI in an article entitled \'New Phishing Campaign Targets UK Visa…

Zeena Luchowa quoted in Personnel Today

Zeena Luchowa (Partner) has been quoted by Personnel Today in an article entitled ‘New migrant worker visa change will damage UK, says House of…

Laura Devine Solicitors Limited trading as Laura Devine Immigration is registered in England and Wales as a limited company (8651204) at 100 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6EU. Partner is a term used by us to describe a director in the limited company. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (648320).

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