Applicants for the UK Scale-up Visa must be at least 18 years old at the time of application. They need a genuine, high-skilled job offer from an approved UK scale-up business at the required salary level. The job must be at RQF Level 6 or equivalent (graduate level), and the occupation must be listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations of the UK’s Immigration Rules as eligible for the Scale-up route. The salary must be at least £36,300 per year, or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher.

Applicants must meet English language and financial requirements similar to other work routes under the UK’s points-based system. They must demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR Level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening unless an exemption applies.

They must also meet the financial requirement by showing funds of at least £1,270 unless their UK sponsor certifies that they will maintain and accommodate them for the first month of employment. Applicants must hold the required funds for 28 days and meet the financial criteria set out in Appendix Finance of the Rules.

To be eligible, applicants must score a total of 70 points, including 50 points for having a valid sponsorship and a job offer at the correct skill and salary level, plus 10 points each for meeting the English language and financial requirements.

In addition to these eligibility criteria, standard suitability requirements apply. This means that issues such as criminality, misconduct, or breaches of immigration law may disqualify an applicant, although certain periods of overstaying may be disregarded. Police registration may also be required for certain nationals.