Sovereign AI Visa Reimbursement Scheme
Funding
£500 – £151,650
Location
England
Applications
Open until 31 March 2030
This scheme reimburses visa costs for international hires into UK-based research and development roles. It covers Certificate of Sponsorship fees, visa application fees, Immigration Health Surcharge, Immigration Skills Charge, and priority processing fees. Reimbursements are paid after the visa is granted and the new hire has started work. You can claim between £500 and £151,650 per hire. The scheme is open until 31 March 2030.
Who can apply:
Key requirements:
- Must be a Sovereign AI portfolio company or in receipt of other Sovereign AI support
- Hire must be into a qualifying UK-based R&D role
- Reimbursement is paid in arrears after visa is granted and hire has started
This is for companies already in the Sovereign AI portfolio or receiving other Sovereign AI support. You must be hiring international staff into qualifying R&D roles based in England. It is not open to businesses outside the Sovereign AI programme.
Regions
Full details from Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade
The Sovereign AI Fund is offering reimbursement of eligible visa-related fees for international hires into qualifying UK-based R&D roles for supported AI companies. Eligibility is limited to Sovereign AI portfolio companies and a limited allocation of companies in receipt of other Sovereign AI support. Eligible costs include visa-related fees on eligible routes, including the Certificate of Sponsorship fees, visa application fee, the Immigration Health Surcharge, the Immigration Skills Charge, and priority or super-priority processing fees. Reimbursements are paid in arrears after the visa is granted and the hire has started in the approved UK-based R&D role.
You must be a Sovereign AI portfolio company or a company receiving other Sovereign AI support to apply. Reimbursements are claimed after the visa is granted and the hire has started in their approved UK R&D role. Contact the Sovereign AI Fund directly for application details.
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Create free accountLast updated: 10 September 2026