UK Launches Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups Hiring Global Talent

Hiring the right talent is essential for businesses looking to scale and many employers recruit internationally to fill critical skill gaps. International recruitment can, however, involve significant immigration costs.

To address this, the UK government has launched the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups, a new initiative designed to help high-growth businesses access international talent by reducing the financial burden associated with UK immigration costs.

While the scheme offers potentially significant savings, eligibility is narrowly defined and applies to a relatively limited group of businesses. Employers should therefore assess their eligibility before making plans based on the availability of funding.

This article outlines the key features of the scheme, eligibility requirements and practical considerations for employers.

A Targeted Incentive for High-Growth Businesses

The UK immigration system can involve substantial upfront costs for employers recruiting overseas talent. The scheme seeks to alleviate some of these costs for qualifying scale-up businesses operating in priority sectors.

Eligible employers may be able to access:

• • • Reimbursement of visa application fees for sponsored hires and their dependants
    • Coverage for hires under the Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Scale-up routes
    • Funding of up to £25,000 per business per year, capped at £5,000 per hire
    • Reimbursement of eligible costs incurred on or after 9 June 2026

The scheme is currently scheduled to close on 1 March 2027, at 21:59 (local time), subject to availability. Applications may be submitted through the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) hub. As funding is limited and applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis, employers may benefit from reviewing their eligibility and preparing applications as early as possible.

Who Is Eligible?

The scheme is not intended to be broadly available. To qualify, businesses must satisfy all of the following criteria:

• • • Be a UK-based scale-up demonstrating annualised growth of more than 20% over a three-year period, starting with at least 10 employees at the beginning of this period
    • Operate within one or more of the designated priority sectors: Clean Energy, Life Sciences or Digital & Technologies
    • Hold a valid UK sponsor licence
    • Have an established UK presence, such as registration with Companies House or a UK establishment
    • Recruit individuals under an eligible immigration route, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or Scale-up visas
    • Successfully complete DBT due diligence checks
    • Have a UK bank account to receive reimbursement payments

These requirements closely mirror the government's existing definition of a qualifying scale-up business. Given the cumulative nature of the criteria, many employers are unlikely to qualify, making a thorough pre-assessment essential.

Eligible Sectors

Visa fee reimbursement is available to scale-up businesses operating within three key high-growth sectors:

• • • Clean Energy – Companies supporting the transition to low-carbon energy through the development, manufacture, deployment, construction or maintenance of renewable energy technologies and infrastructure.
    • Life Sciences – Organisations involved in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, healthcare equipment and digital health innovations that advance healthcare and medical outcomes.
    • Digital and Technologies – Businesses developing advanced digital and emerging technologies that drive innovation, productivity and economic transformation across industries.

These sectors have been identified by the UK government as strategic growth areas with significant potential to support innovation, investment and long-term economic development.

A Time-Sensitive Opportunity Worth Exploring

For eligible employers, the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups represents an opportunity to reduce the costs associated with hiring international talent.

However, the scheme's strict eligibility criteria, limited funding and first-come, first-served allocation model mean that it should be approached with careful analysis rather than broad assumptions of eligibility.

Businesses that may qualify should consider acting promptly by:

• • • Assessing eligibility against all scheme requirements
    • Reviewing current and planned recruitment under eligible visa routes
    • Preparing supporting documentation in advance
    • Seeking specialist immigration advice where appropriate

How Fragomen Can Help

Fragomen specialises in delivering tailored immigration solutions for businesses of all sizes. The firm assists organisations in evaluating their eligibility, understanding the practical implications of the scheme and developing strategies that support their UK growth and hiring objectives.

View Fragomen’s Immigration Guide for the UK Technology Sector, an essential resource for organisations navigating talent challenges as the tech sector evolves. The report highlights the requirements, visa costs, processing times and strategic considerations associated with each visa route, serving as a practical resource for employers and foreign nationals working in the tech sector.

Need To Know More?

For more information on the UK Visa fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups and related policies, please reach out to Associate Halil Kaya at [email protected].  

This blog was published on 20 July 2026, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.