United Kingdom: Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups and Fast-Track Referral Service Launched
June 10, 2026
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At a Glance
- The UK government has published details of two global talent support measures for businesses:
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- The Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups provides grant funding for eligible UK-based scale-ups operating in Clean Energy, Life Sciences and Digital and Technologies, where they are making eligible international hires under specified UK immigration routes.
- Separately, the Office for Investment fast-track referral process is intended to support eligible overseas businesses seeking to expand into the United Kingdom through the UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence route.
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- These measures reflect the government’s intended support of employers through the Global Talent Taskforce, including support for individuals relocating to the United Kingdom and companies setting up UK offices.
The situation
The UK government has published details of two global talent support measures for businesses: a Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups and an Office for Investment fast-track referral process.
A closer look
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Background
The measures build on announcements made by the Chancellor at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2026, where the government announced plans to reimburse certain visa fees and create fast-track processing for select international companies growing their UK footprint.
The January announcement also referred to intensified support through the Global Talent Taskforce, including support for individuals relocating to the United Kingdom and companies setting up UK offices.
The newly published Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups and Office for Investment fast-track referral process provide further operational detail on two targeted business-facing measures within that wider global talent and investment agenda.
Looking ahead
The published criteria indicate that these measures are targeted rather than broad-based, with the reimbursement scheme limited to a defined group of UK-based scale-ups in specified sectors making eligible hires under specified visa routes; and the Office for Investment fast-track referral process limited to certain businesses receiving ongoing Office for Investment support. Other further targeted measures may be on the horizon.
Fragomen will continue monitoring further government guidance, scheme updates, FAQs and practical application developments, including any clarification on eligibility, evidential requirements, reimbursement mechanics, funding availability and the operation of the separate Office for Investment fast-track referral process.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
