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
15 July 2026
LexisNexis UK publishes practice note on immigration options for business owners by Francesca Sciberras and Melike Çelik
LexisNexis UK has published a new Practice Note by Francesca Sciberras (Partner) and Melike Çelik (Trainee Solicitor) examining the immigration…
8 July 2026
Expanded right to work obligations from 1 October 2026: new regulations and code of practice published
Long-anticipated right to work regulations have been introduced which extend right to work compliance obligations to a wider range of working…
3 July 2026
Natasha Chell writes for the Financial Times on the UK’s approach to start-up entrepreneurs
The Financial Times has today published a letter by Natasha Chell (Senior Partner and Head of UK Pratice) highlighting the need for a more flexible…
