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


US Government Reduces Renunciation of Citizenship Fee

The US government has announced a significant reduction in the fee to renounce US citizenship. Effective April 13, 2026, the Department of State…

Home Office publishes updated sponsor guidance with important implications for employers

On Friday 6 March 2026, the Home Office published updated sponsor guidance (version 03/26), introducing a number of changes affecting employers who…

Christi Jackson quoted in Newsweek on H-1B visas & school recruitment

Christi Hufford Jackson has been quoted in Newsweek in an article titled ‘How H-1B Visa Crackdown Is Set To Hit America’s Schools’.

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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