UK scale-ups can now apply for help with eligible visa application fees when hiring overseas talent. The Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups opened on 9 June 2026, with up to £25,000 a year available per business and a cap of £5,000 for each international hire and their dependants.
The scheme sits alongside a new concierge service for high-growth companies and a faster referral route for some overseas firms setting up in the UK. Funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so eligible businesses should not leave this until the end of the scheme window.
Here is what the package contains, who it is for, and where the practical risks sit.
What the reimbursement scheme covers
The scheme reimburses eligible visa application fees incurred on or after 9 June 2026. The employer applies through the Department for Business and Trade Grants Hub portal, not the individual worker.
It applies to eligible hires under the Skilled Worker visa, Global Talent route and Scale-up visa route. If you are weighing the Global Talent route against sponsorship, the funding may change the cost comparison, but it does not remove the need to meet the immigration rules for the chosen route.
Applicants are expected to receive an outcome within around 30 working days of submission, with payment issued afterwards for successful applications. The scheme is scheduled to close on 1 March 2027 at 11:59pm, although it may close earlier if the funding is fully allocated. You can read the official announcement on GOV.UK.
Who qualifies?
To qualify as a scale-up, your business must have achieved average annualised growth above 20% in either employment or turnover over a continuous 3-year period, starting with at least 10 employees.
You must also operate in at least one eligible sector, hold a valid UK visa sponsor licence, have an established UK presence, pass Department for Business and Trade due diligence checks and have a valid UK bank account for reimbursements.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual award cap | £25,000 per business |
| Per-hire cap | £5,000 per international hire and dependants |
| Eligible sectors | Clean Energy, Life Sciences, Digital and Technologies |
| Eligible visa routes | Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Scale-up |
| Applications opened | 9 June 2026 |
| Fees covered from | 9 June 2026 |
| Closing date | 1 March 2027, or earlier if funding is allocated |
A valid licence is the gateway here. If you do not yet hold one, the sponsor licence application is the first step, and our guide to applying for a sponsor licence in 2026 sets out the documents and timelines. It is also worth knowing that the cost of a sponsor licence is separate from the visa application fees this scheme reimburses.
The concierge service and faster set-up for overseas firms
Alongside the cash support, the government has launched a concierge service for high-growth companies. It is designed to give promising firms more joined-up help on issues such as regulation, access to finance, procurement, hiring and other barriers to growth.
The government has also announced an Office for Investment fast-track referral for overseas businesses applying for a sponsor licence under the UK Expansion Worker visa. This should help some high-potential international businesses move more quickly when setting up in the UK, although it does not guarantee approval.
If you are opening a UK branch, our Expansion Worker visa guide explains how the licence and senior staff transfer fit together. Founders who would rather build their own company here sometimes prefer the self-sponsorship route instead.
One thing is worth flagging. Taking grant funding does not reduce your compliance burden. Sponsor duties and compliance are not a formality, and a sponsor licence revocation can undo the benefit of the scheme. Get the paperwork right, including certificates of sponsorship and salary rules for sponsored roles, before you claim.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the scheme?
The employer applies, not the worker. You must meet the scale-up definition, operate in an eligible sector and satisfy the scheme’s other conditions.
How much can you claim?
You can claim up to £25,000 a year, capped at £5,000 for each international hire and their dependants.
When does the scheme close?
The scheme is scheduled to close on 1 March 2027 at 11:59pm, unless funding is fully allocated earlier.
Do you need a sponsor licence first?
Yes. A valid UK visa sponsor licence is one of the eligibility conditions.
Speak to a specialist
If you think your business qualifies, the order you do things in matters. Our team of London immigration solicitors can check your eligibility, get your licence in order and help you time your claim properly. Call us on +44 (0)20 7799 1600 or request a consultation today.
