UK Home Office launches Scale-up visa for tech talent

It’s no secret that top-tier tech talent is hard to find, with skilled staff having a great deal of choice in selecting where they want to work. In a bid to attract skilled workers to the UK, the Home Office has announced the launch of a Scale-up visa for firms to sponsor valuable tech talent.

Since the UK exit from the EU, free movement has ended between these two regions, leaving British companies needing to find replacements for the lost talent. Those employees who are sponsored through this visa will receive two years’ leave to remain in the UK, without the need to gain further permission beyond the first 6 months.

Usually defined as a firm that has recorded growth of at least 20% in staff numbers or turnover year-on-year for a minimum of two years, high growth companies now have another tool to bring skilled people to the UK to help fill the digital skills gap. The Home Office state that a range of skilled professionals, including scientists, engineers, programmers and software developers, will be able to be hired through this scheme.

According to Minister for Safe and Legal Migration, Kevin Foster, the Scale-up visa scheme will help support high-growth tech, financial services and small businesses, as well as promoting the UK as a global hub for emerging technologies and innovation.

“Rapidly growing businesses, like small enterprises, tech and financial services, need the right level of support to go to the next level. Through our Scale-up visa, we’re enabling businesses to focus on their growth and innovation by giving them more freedom to bring in the diverse skills and experience they need, making them more attractive on an international stage,” says Foster.