Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups
- Funding
- £500 – £25,000
- Deadline
- 1 March 2027
- Location
- UK-wide
- Applications
- Deadline: 1 March 2027
Overview
The Department for Business and Trade reimburses visa application fees for UK-based scale ups in Clean Energy, Life Sciences, and Digital and Technologies. Awards carry a cap of £5,000 for each international hire and their dependants. The funder's website lists a total pot of £1.25 million. Applications opened on 9 June 2026 and close at 11:59pm on 1 March 2027. Eligible hires must come in on the Skilled Worker, Global Talent or Scale Up visa routes. The business must hold a valid UK visa sponsor licence and have a UK bank account for payments. Costs incurred before the application is submitted are not eligible. Individuals cannot apply. Applicants are told the outcome within 30 working days of submission, and payment follows for successful applications. Apply through the Grants Hub portal.
Requirements to check
Who can apply:
Key requirements:
- Must be a scale-up company
- Must operate in Clean Energy, Life Sciences, or Digital and Technologies
- Must be hiring international specialist workers
Who it is for
- UK-based scale ups with average annualised growth above 20 per cent in employment or turnover over three years
- Businesses that started the three-year period with at least 10 employees
- Companies in Clean Energy, Life Sciences, or Digital and Technologies
- Holders of a valid UK visa sponsor licence
- Companies incorporated in the UK and registered with Companies House, or overseas companies registered with a UK establishment
- Employers hiring on Skilled Worker, Global Talent or Scale Up visas
Who it is not for
- Individuals, who cannot apply directly
- Businesses outside the three priority sectors
- Companies without a visa sponsor licence
- Hires on visa routes other than Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Scale Up
- Costs incurred before the application was submitted
- Overseas companies relying only on an independent agent or an occasional location such as a hotel
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
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Start freeWho is this for?
This scheme is for scale-up companies in England operating in Clean Energy, Life Sciences, or Digital and Technologies sectors. You need to be hiring specialist international workers and their families. It is not for general businesses or those outside these three sectors.
Regions
Awards published
236
Typical award
£132,252
Most awards
£39,971 to £298,250
Most funded region
London
Recent awards include West Sussex County Council (£194,000, 2024), Citizens Advice (£50,000, 2024) and Cheshire East Council (£261,000, 2024).
Contains data from 360Giving publishers, used under open licence.
Full details from Department for Business and Trade
The UK Government has launched the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups (VFRS4SU), a targeted grant scheme to help UK scale ups in Clean Energy, Life Sciences, and Digital and Technologies hire internationally by reimbursing eligible visa application fees for specialist hires and their dependants.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I get from the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups?
Qualifying businesses can apply, with a maximum of £5,000 for each international hire and their dependants.
When is the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups deadline?
The scheme closes at 11:59pm on 1 March 2027. It opened on 9 June 2026.
Which visas count for the Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups?
Eligible hires must use the Skilled Worker, Global Talent or Scale Up visa routes. Your business must also hold a valid UK visa sponsor licence.
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Create free accountLast updated: 9 November 2026