The UK Government has launched the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups, a grant scheme designed to help eligible high-growth businesses reduce the cost of recruiting international talent.
For qualifying UK scale-ups in clean energy, life sciences, and digital and technologies, the scheme may allow employers to reclaim certain visa application fees for skilled overseas hires and their dependants. This could be particularly helpful for businesses that rely on specialist skills and need to move quickly when recruiting internationally.
For employers, however, the scheme should not be viewed simply as a funding opportunity. It also highlights the importance of having the right immigration strategy, sponsor licence arrangements and compliance systems in place before making overseas hires.
What is the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups?
The scheme provides financial support to eligible UK-based scale-ups that recruit overseas workers through specified visa routes. Successful applicants may be able to claim up to £25,000 per year, capped at £5,000 per international hire and their dependants.
The scheme opened on 9 June 2026 and is currently scheduled to close on 1 March 2027. Importantly, official guidance states that costs incurred before an application is submitted will not be eligible for reimbursement. Businesses should therefore consider the scheme early in the recruitment process, rather than after visa costs have already been paid.
Who is eligible?
The scheme is aimed at UK-based scale-ups operating in at least one of the following sectors:
Clean energy, including businesses involved in renewable energy, energy storage, low-carbon technologies or related innovation.
Life sciences, including companies working in areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology or healthcare innovation.
Digital and technologies, including businesses developing or deploying digital, software, data, AI, cybersecurity or advanced technology solutions.
To qualify as a scale-up, a business must generally show strong recent growth. The official criteria refer to an average annualised growth rate of more than 20% in either employment or turnover over a three-year period, starting with at least 10 employees at the beginning of that period.
Applicants must also hold a valid UK sponsor licence, have an established UK presence, use an eligible visa route, pass Department for Business and Trade checks, and have a UK bank account to receive reimbursement.
Which visa routes are covered?
The scheme applies to eligible hires under the following visa routes:
Skilled Worker visa – commonly used by UK employers sponsoring overseas workers for eligible roles.
Global Talent visa – aimed at recognised leaders or potential leaders in certain specialist fields.
Scale-Up visa – designed for skilled workers with a qualifying job offer from an eligible fast-growing UK business.
Each route has different requirements. Employers should take care to identify the most appropriate visa route before making an offer, issuing sponsorship documentation or advising candidates on visa costs.
Why does this matter for scale-up employers?
International recruitment can be expensive, particularly where a business is hiring senior specialists, technical staff or multiple overseas workers at the same time. Visa application fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, sponsor licence costs and compliance obligations can all add to the overall cost of hiring.
The Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme may help reduce part of that burden, but it does not remove the need for careful immigration planning. Employers still need to ensure that roles are eligible, salaries meet the relevant thresholds, candidates satisfy visa requirements and sponsor duties are met throughout the worker’s employment.
For fast-growing businesses, this is especially important. A sponsor licence brings ongoing Home Office compliance responsibilities, including right to work checks, record-keeping, reporting duties and monitoring sponsored workers. Failure to comply can lead to licence suspension, revocation or disruption to sponsored staff.
How Seddons GSC can help
Seddons GSC’s Corporate Immigration team advises businesses, founders, senior executives and HR teams on UK immigration strategy and sponsor compliance.
We can assist with sponsor licence applications, Skilled Worker sponsorship, Scale-Up and Global Talent visa planning, right to work compliance, Home Office audits and international recruitment strategy. We can also help employers understand whether the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme may fit within their wider hiring plans.
For scale-ups in clean energy, life sciences, digital and technology sectors, the scheme may offer a valuable opportunity to reduce the cost of international recruitment. Early advice can help ensure that businesses approach the process in the right order, avoid unnecessary delays and remain compliant with UK immigration rules.
For advice on sponsor licences, overseas recruitment or the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups, contact Seddons GSC’s Corporate Immigration team.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It reflects the position as at 8 July 2026.