UK Scale-up Visa: Apply from Canada

To be eligible for the scale-up visa, you must be able to convince UK Visas and Immigration that you meet the following requirements through a Sponsored Application:

• You are 18 years and above.
• You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK sponsor or employer for the job you intend to do.
• Your employer has been endorsed by an approved endorsing body or is an eligible fast-growing business.
  • To be an eligible fast-growing business, in the 3 year period before they were given approval to sponsor foreign workers, they must have grown by 20% on average in each year in either employment or total sales and had at least 10 employees at the start of the 3 year period.
• The job you are planning to do is genuine.
• The job you intend to do is at an appropriate skill level.
• You’ll be working in your sponsored job for at least 6 months.
• Your salary will be equal to or exceed both £36,300 per year or the going rate for your position.
• You are proficient in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1, or IELTS 4.0.
• You have enough money to cover your living expenses in the UK without relying on public funds.
• You have provided a valid TB certificate if required.

You must have sufficient cash funds totalling at least £1,270 to be eligible for a Scale-up Visa (via either a Sponsored or Unsponsored Application). Before submitting your Scale-up Visa application, you must have kept the funds for at least 28 days in a row, ending no more than 31 days earlier.

You will be excluded from the financial criterion if your sponsor agrees to cover your maintenance expenses until the end of the first month of your job of at least £1,270. This must be verified by your sponsor on your Certificate of Sponsorship. You won’t need to provide proof of money if you are seeking permission to stay in the UK and have had permission to be there for at least a year at the time of application.

Before travelling to the UK, the applicant must apply for and receive entry clearance and have received 70 points as stated by the UK visa and immigration.

There are application processes and steps you need to follow when applying for a scale-up visa. However, you need to read the Home Office’s application guidelines before starting your application process to avoid mistakes that can lead to visa refusal. To apply for this visa, you need to follow these steps.

Step 1: Apply online through the Gov.uk website under the “Settle in the UK in various immigration categories: form SET(O)”.

Step 2: Submit all your supporting documents

Step 3: Fill in all the requested information, provide answers as instructed, and submit your application.

You will have to provide a range of supporting documents with your Scale-up visa application. These may include (but not be limited to) the following:

• Your certificate of sponsorship reference number
• Proof of your knowledge of English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. Note that if you are a Canadian citizen, you will be exempt from this requirement. However, if you are not a Canadian citizen or a citizen of another exempt country, proof can include:
  • Evidence of passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT)
  • Having a UK school qualification
  • Having proof of a degree that was taught in English
• A valid passport or other official identity document
• Information about your job title and annual salary
• Your job’s occupation code
• The name of your employer and their sponsor licence number
• Evidence that you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK
• Proof of your relationship with your partner or children if they’re coming with you to the UK

The Scale-up visa costs £937 to apply for.

Each of your dependents will also have to pay this fee.

You must also pay the immigration healthcare surcharge while you’re in the UK. This is £1035 a year for applicants over 18, and £776 a year for those who are under 18.

If you’re applying from outside the UK, it normally takes up to 3 weeks to process your Scale-up visa application. If you’re applying from inside the UK, it will take up to around 8 weeks.

Total Law’s excellent immigration lawyers are vastly experienced in dealing with the UK scale-up visa application and provide advice and support to make your application process smooth.

Our professional immigration lawyers will help you determine that you meet the eligibility criteria for a UK scale-up visa. They will advise you detailedly on which supporting documentation you should have. In addition, years of experience with this process have made us aware of the common mistakes that applicant make that causes application refusal.

Therefore, we will help you avoid these errors to ensure that your application is consistent and readily accepted. If you’ve had a previous refusal, Total Law can help you file an appeal or walk you through the re-application process to ensure you get accepted. So contact us today at +1 844 290 6312 to start your journey toward a successful UK visa application.