Other work routes

Global business mobility visa

This route has five separate routes within it, which were introduced on 11 April 2022:

• Senior or Specialist Worker
• Graduate Trainee
• UK Expansion Worker
• Service Supplier
• Secondment Worker

They’re designed for overseas businesses to establish a presence in, or transfer staff to, the UK for specific business purposes.

None of these routes are routes to settlement. Dependants are permitted.

For more information visit:

• GOV.UK Global business mobility routes

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 High potential individual (from 30 May 2022)

This is a new visa route for individuals with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree awarded within the last five years from a top global university outside of the UK.

This route:

• does not require sponsorship or a job offer
• is not a route to settlement
• permits dependants

Successful applicants will be granted two years of immigration permission (three years for those with a qualification equivalent to a UK PhD).

For more information, visit:

• GOV.UK: High potential individual visa

Always check GOV.UK for latest guidance and eligibility requirements.

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Scale-up visa

The Scale-up visa was introduced in August 2022. (high-growth businesses) to attract highly skilled workers. It only applies to a limited range of high-growth businesses and highly skilled job roles.

To qualify for a Scale-up Worker visa, you must:

• have a confirmed job offer to work for an approved scale-up business for at least six months
• have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
• have a job offer to do a job that’s on the list of eligible occupations
• be paid a minimum salary in your new job
• meet a minimum English language requirement

The initial visa lasts for two years, but you only have to work for the first six months for the specified sponsor. It is possible to extend the visa for a further three years without needing employer sponsorship. After five years you may qualify for settlement.

You can have dependants with this visa.

If you hold this visa you can take on additional work, be self employed and do voluntary work.

You can also study with this visa, subject to ATAS requirements, so it is a very flexible visa.

What is a scale up business?

A “scale-up” is a high-growth company and defined by the Home Office as those that have annualised growth of at least 20 per cent in the previous three years based on either the number of employees or turnover. They must also have had a minimum of 10 employees at the start of the relevant three-year period.

Further information

• Overview 
• Immigration rules
• Caseworker guidance 
• Scale-up eligible occupations and salary rates
• Sponsor guidance for scale-up