The scale-up visa will allow businesses to employ high-skilled individuals who will receive two years’ leave to remain in the UK without requiring further sponsorship or permission beyond the first six months.

Unlike other sponsored visas, individuals are only required to work for their sponsors for six months and are free to also take other types of employment, providing they continue to undertake their sponsored job.

Those applying for the scale-up worker visa will need to pay a £715 application fee, a healthcare surcharge of £624 per year, alongside providing at least £1,270 for financial support when they arrive in the UK.

Applicants will have to meet eligibility requirements, including a job offer from an approved scale-up business lasting a period of six months, alongside holding a certificate of sponsorship from their employer. They must also meet the English language requirements.