United Kingdom: Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups and Fast-Track Referral Service Launched

June 10, 2026

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Country / Territory

At a Glance

  • The UK government has published details of two global talent support measures for businesses: 
  • 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 

Program details 

Impact 
  • Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups. This program provides grant funding to reimburse eligible visa fees for eligible UK-based scale-ups operating in Clean Energy, Life Sciences and Digital and Technologies, where they are making (1) eligible international hires under (2) specified UK immigration routes. Funding is limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  • Eligible businesses. To qualify for the visa fee reimbursement program, the business must (1) be a UK-based scale-up with an established presence - either incorporated in the UK and registered with Companies House, or be an overseas company registered with Companies House as having a UK establishment, meaning a place of business or branch in the UK with some degree of physical presence through which business is carried on; (2) that has  achieved an average annualised growth rate exceeding 20% in either employment or turnover over a continuous three-year period, starting with at least 10 employees at the beginning of that period; (3) is operating in either the Clean Energy, Life Sciences or Digital and Technologies sectors; (4) holds a valid UK visa sponsor licence; (5) passes Department for Business and Trade due diligence checks and (7) holds a valid UK bank account to receive reimbursements.  
     
  • Eligible visa fees: The reimbursable visa fees must relate to (1) the recruiting of foreign employees via one of three immigration pathways: Skilled Worker, Global Talent or Scale-up, and must have been (2) incurred on or after June 9, 2026. Businesses can apply for up to GBP 25,000 per year, capped at GBP 5,000 per international hire and their dependants. 
  • Closing date. The scheme is currently listed as closing on March 1, 2027 at 21:59 (local time).  
  • By offsetting immigration-related expenses, this funding may incentivize scale-ups to boost their hiring of global talent as well as expand their use of sponsored immigration pathways, particularly where visa costs have previously been a barrier to recruitment.  

 

  • Additionally, the time-limited and first-come/first-serve nature of the funding may see businesses expedite recruitment plans to maximize reimbursement opportunities. 
  • Eligible hires are yet to be defined other than by reference to route and may further narrow down the scope of the scheme’s accessibility. 

 
  • Office for Investment fast-track referral for UK Expansion Worker sponsor licences. Eligible businesses may be able to obtain a faster decision on a UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence application. If accepted, processing may take around 10 business days, compared with the standard eight weeks. 
  • Eligible Business. To be eligible, businesses must (1) receive ongoing Office for Investment support, (2) operate in one of the eight sectors identified as priorities under the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, and (3) meet at least one growth criterion. These include receiving at least GBP 1 million in venture capital or institutional investment, committing at least GBP 2 million in capital investment for UK expansion, or participating in a government-recognised high-growth programme. 

 
  • This may significantly reduce timing friction for qualifying overseas businesses seeking to establish a UK presence, helping them deploy senior or specialist personnel more quickly to support UK expansion. 

 

  • Not all UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence applicants will qualify. Applications referred by the Office for Investment that are later identified by the Home Office as complex will not be processed within 10 business days and will be subject to standard timelines. 

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. 

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