You can move to Birmingham via the UK Scale-Up Visa route and take advantage of the opportunity to live and work in one of the most dynamic cities in the country.
But what makes Birmingham stand out, and what do you need to know before moving with a Scale-Up Visa? This article will walk you through the essentials, from the visa criteria to why this city is ideal for your career path.
Understanding the Scale-up Visa
The Scale-up Worker Visa allows individuals outside the EEA to enter the UK and work for scale-up businesses.
These businesses are typically those experiencing significant growth in their industries and need to fill critical skills gaps within their organisations. Before hiring you, they must have a valid sponsor licence from the Home Office to sponsor scale-up Workers.
The Scale-up Visa is a long-term visa with an initial validity period of two years. When it expires, you can apply for an extension of three years. You can settle permanently after living continuously in the UK for five years.
Benefits of Moving to Birmingham with a Scale-Up Visa
Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city, offering a blend of opportunities that support professional and personal goals. Here are some of the benefits of relocating to Birmingham as a scale-up worker:
Thriving Job Market
Birmingham’s job market is rapidly expanding, especially in technology, finance, and creatives. Some of the fastest-growing startups in the city are already worth billions of dollars, and in 2023, these businesses raised $1.7 billion in total funding from investors.
This rapidly thriving market translates to increased employment opportunities for scale-up workers in Birmingham.
Preferred Work Route
Many employers may prefer to hire individuals using the Scale-up route rather than the Skilled Worker Visa due to its low cost and flexibility advantages.
Scale-up workers are only mandated to work for their sponsors for the first six months, after which they can change roles within the organisation to ones that don’t require sponsorship. This eliminates the need to submit reports and carry out other duties required of licensed sponsors.
Additionally, as the income threshold for the Skilled Worker route has increased, fast-growing businesses may find it less costly to sponsor scale-up workers. This will also save them up to £1,000 yearly from paying the Immigration Skills Charge, which is required for Skilled Worker jobs.
The benefit for Scale-up Visa holders is that they can enjoy the flexibility of switching to a higher-paying job without being tied to one sponsor. This means you can work for other fast-growing businesses in Birmingham. You can also begin your own business and join the list of thriving startups in the city.
Affordable Cost of Living
Birmingham offers a more affordable cost of living, particularly regarding housing, than London and other major UK cities. Transportation, food, and other daily expenses are generally lower, allowing you to enjoy a high standard of living without breaking the bank.
Quality of Life
Birmingham has numerous parks, green spaces, cultural scenes, and music venues, making it an enjoyable place to live and work. It has also been described as a family-focused city with various childcare and education choices and plenty of fun places to keep kids entertained.
If you relocate with your children, you’ll enjoy raising them in Birmingham.
Eligibility Criteria for the Scale-up Visa
To be eligible for the UK Scale-up Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have a confirmed job offer for a fast-growing or scale-up business for at least six months.
- Your job should be on the list of eligible occupations.
- Have a certificate of sponsorship from the employer with information about the role.
- Be paid a minimum income of at least £36,300 annually or the going rate for the role, whichever is higher.
- Be proficient in English up to a B1 level.
- Have at least £1,270 to support themselves in their first month in the UK.
The organisation sponsoring you must be endorsed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body or be an eligible scale-up business. To be an eligible scale-up business, they must have:
- Recorded a 20% growth either in personnel or turnover each year in the last three years preceding their approval as a scale-up sponsor.
- Employed at least ten staff at the beginning of the three years.
Supporting Documents for the Scale-up Visa Application
When applying for the Scale-up Visa, the Home Office expects you to submit certain documents to prove that you meet the requirements for the visa. Here’s a breakdown of the required documents:
- Your valid passport or other travel document.
- Your certificate of sponsorship reference number from your employer
- Your employer’s name and their sponsor licence number
- Details of your job title, its occupation code, and your annual salary.
- Your bank statement with proof of sufficient funds to cover your first month in the UK unless your certificate of sponsorship indicates your employer can support you financially.
- An English language test result or an approved academic qualification taught in English that proves your language proficiency.
- A marriage or birth certificate (if your partner or children are applying with you).
- A tuberculosis test result (depending on the country you’re coming from).
- A valid ATAS certificate (if your job involves researching a sensitive subject at PhD level or higher.)
How to Apply for a UK Scale-Up Visa
Once you’ve prepared your supporting documents, visit the Home Office website to begin your application. Ensure that you apply not more than three months before your resumption date.
After creating an account on the website, you’ll find an online application form, which you must complete. Then, you should upload your supporting documents to the online service. Afterwards, pay the visa application fee and healthcare surcharge and submit your application.
On the government website, you can book a physical appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) closest to you. On the day of the appointment, you should submit your supporting documents and provide your biometric information.
In some cases, applicants may be asked to verify their identity online instead of visiting a VAC. If so, download the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app and scan and upload your identity document.
The Cost and Processing Time of the Scale-Up Visa
The Scale-up Visa costs £822 per applicant. You’ll also need to pay the immigration health surcharge of £1,035 annually. Additionally, you may need to pay a service fee at the visa application centre.
Furthermore, the Home Office takes up to three weeks to process a Scale-up Visa application. However, if you can’t wait, you may be eligible to use a priority service to get a faster decision, usually within one or five working days, depending on the service you use. However, you must pay an additional fee for this service.
Conclusion
Birmingham is one of the best UK cities in which to live and work. If you want to work with one of the fast-growing businesses in the city and advance your career quickly, you should take advantage of the Scale-up Visa.
Meta Title: Move to Birmingham with the UK Scale-Up Visa
Meta Description: Through the UK Scale-up Worker Visa route, you can make Birmingham your new home while contributing to the growth of an innovative British business.