Scale-up Visa Solicitors
Why AY&J Solicitors For Scale-up
- The growth test sinks most Scale-up applications. We prove your 20% with the HMRC and PAYE evidence the Home Office wants.
- We tell you honestly whether Scale-up or Skilled Worker is the better fit before you spend anything.
Why A Y & J Are Your Ideal Sponsor Licence Solicitors
- First need a confirmed job offer from a UK employer holding a valid sponsor licence
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
- Then, you can apply for Skilled Worker visa and move to the UK.
Our story in numbers
Scale-up or Skilled Worker?
Scale-up suits you if
- You can evidence 20% growth over 3 years
- You want lower cost and no skills charge
- You are comfortable the worker can leave after 6 months
- You need talent fast during a growth phase
Skilled Worker suits you if
- You cannot yet evidence the growth test
- You want to keep the worker tied for the whole visa
- You need a licence that renews beyond 4 years
- You are hiring steadily rather than scaling fast
5 steps to your sponsor licence.
A free 15-minute call with our client team to check your business is eligible for a sponsor licence and spot anything that could rule an application out. This is a screening call, not legal advice, so there is no fee.
You receive: a clear view of whether we can help, and your fixed fee.
Once the client care agreement is signed, a solicitor reviews your business, the roles you want to fill and your key personnel, then confirms the right licence type and the documents you need.
You receive: a written eligibility position and a document checklist.
We audit your HR systems against sponsor duties, fix any gaps, draft the policies you need and build your Appendix A document bundle.
You receive: a compliance-ready application bundle.
A senior associate reviews the file independently before we complete the online application, pay the Home Office fee and send your supporting documents within 5 working days.
You receive: submission confirmation and updates on a set schedule.
We prepare your team for any Home Office compliance visit and handle queries until the decision, then help you assign Certificates of Sponsorship and stay compliant.
You receive: a licence ready to use and a compliance plan.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
British citizenship eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We read the refusal and confirm you have a right of appeal.
You receive
A quick standing check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We confirm your ground, appeal or JR, and protect your 3C leave.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We draft the grounds and build the bundle and skeleton argument.
You receive
A complete appeal bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We serve the bundle and represent you at the hearing.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and advise on any onward appeal.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Individual eligibility assessment
A phone or video call, wherever you are in Edinburgh, to check for issues.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
A solicitor maps your options on a video call, at a time that suits you.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We gather your documents and build the evidence bundle for you.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
A senior associate reviews, then we submit and deal with the Home Office.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the decision and your next steps by video.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J Process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Family dependant eligibility assessment
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
You receive
Written eligibility and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review & Evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
You receive
Pre submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Our Process
The AY&J process
01
Discovery
Fifteen minutes with our client team to check for issues
Screening conversation, not legal advice
Eligibility assessment
We check both tests, the relationship and the finances.
You receive
A quick eligibility check
02
Consult
Solicitor-led case assessment
Immigration options mapped
Initial risk identification
We map the right financial category and the risk.
You receive
Written next steps and a document schedule with dates
03
Caseworking
Application preparation
Evidence bundle assembled
Legal representations drafted
We build the relationship evidence and draft the application.
You receive
A complete application bundle
04
Assure & Submit
Senior associate review and evidence-gap check
Legal-risk review
Submission and correspondence
Proactive monitoring
Updates on schedule
We submit online, book biometrics, and monitor the decision.
You receive
A pre-submission assessment call
05
After Care
Decision explained
Immediate next steps
Future immigration roadmap
We explain the outcome and plan extension and settlement.
You receive
An outcome letter and forward plan
This diagram describes our working method and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on individual circumstances and on Home Office decision-making.
Costs & Processing Times
In our clients' own words.
“After our ILR rejection, AY&J pursued our case through Administrative Review and Judicial Review. The team was open, honest, knowledgeable and attentive to every detail. They kept us informed at every stage, supported us throughout an extremely difficult journey and helped us regain confidence in our case.”
Tell us about your growth
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs and getting started
As soon as you have your growth evidence together. We can tell you on the first call exactly what to gather.
Costs and getting started
We look at your growth figures and tell you whether Scale-up fits, or whether Skilled Worker is the better route. If you do not qualify, we say so.
Costs and getting started
A sponsor licence usually takes around 8 weeks. Priority service, where offered, can cut that to about 10 working days.
Costs and getting started
No. The Scale-up route carries none, which saves up to £1,320 per worker per year against Skilled Worker.
Costs and getting started
A Home Office fee that depends on whether your business is small or large, plus our fee. We confirm both before any work starts.
Licence and sponsor duties
Yes, for the first 6 months. Right-to-work checks, salary and role confirmation, and reporting changes. We set the systems up for you.
Worker requirements
Yes. After 5 years on the route they can apply for indefinite leave to remain, if they meet the requirements.
Worker requirements
Yes. A partner and children can come as dependants, and they can work and study.
Licence and sponsor duties
Yes. That is the trade-off of the route. In exchange for lower cost and less admin, you have less hold over the hire than on Skilled Worker.
Licence and sponsor duties
Six months. After that the worker is unsponsored and free to change employer, and your sponsorship duties for them end.
Licence and sponsor duties
To keep sponsoring, you move to another route such as Skilled Worker. We plan that transition with you before the licence expires.
Licence and sponsor duties
Four years, and it cannot be renewed. It is designed for a growth phase, not as a permanent sponsorship route.
Worker requirements
The worker must show English at B2 from 8 January 2026, up from B1. Those already on the route when it changed keep the B1 standard for extensions.
Worker requirements
At least £39,100 a year, or the going rate for the occupation code, whichever is higher. That has applied since 22 July 2025.
Business eligibility
It is lighter. No Immigration Skills Charge, and a lower salary floor. Your sponsorship duties end after 6 months, not for the whole visa.
Business eligibility
The Skilled Worker route may still fit, and it has no growth requirement. We tell you which route your business actually qualifies for.
Business eligibility
Yes. The business applies for a Scale-up sponsor licence before it can assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to a worker.
Business eligibility
Through PAYE records and HMRC data covering the 3-year period. The evidence has to be current and consistent, which is where most applications come unstuck.
Business eligibility
A second pathway exists for venture-backed firms. It needs a single equity round of at least £1 million and an endorsement from an approved body.
Business eligibility
Average annual growth of at least 20% over 3 years, in turnover or staff, starting from at least 10 employees. You evidence it from HMRC and PAYE records.