The Scale Up immigration route will not require the business to hold a sponsor licence in order for the applicant to obtain a visa. However, the applicant still needs to have a job offer from a business that is eligible under the Home Office criteria and has to meet minimum salary requirements. The scale up visa aims to attract global talent to the UK. The talents include technology, academia, science and research. The applicant must have a job offer, pass an English proficiency test and have a minimum salary of 33,000 British pounds per annum. Applicants will be able to apply for the fast track immigration process and get greater flexibility to work and move between employers. There does not seem to be any need for sponsorship by an employer, meaning that the employer does not need a sponsor licence to employ a Scale Up visa holder. There has not yet been any confirmation from the UK government as to whether this visa will allow the applicant to bring their dependents to the UK (which the Skilled Worker visa does allow). There likely will be a route to settlement (by first extending the visa and then allowing for settlement) but details have not yet been clarified.
