Other work routes
Basic information about other work visa routes.
We can鈥檛 offer detailed advice or support with these types of visa applications.
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鈥檙e 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:
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:
Always check GOV.UK for latest guidance and eligibility requirements.
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 .
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 鈥榗ertificate of sponsorship鈥 from your employer with information about the role you鈥檝e been offered in the UK
- have a job offer to do a job that鈥檚 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 鈥渟cale-up鈥 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
Information for students
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