New Government support for high-growth UK businesses: Visa reimbursements, faster licences, and a bespoke concierge service
- TS Immigration
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
Overview
On 11 June 2026, the UK Government announced a new package of measures aimed at helping fast-growing businesses start, scale and remain in the UK, and at attracting global talent. The measures include a visa fee reimbursement scheme, a new concierge service for high-growth firms, and a fast-track route for overseas businesses setting up a UK presence. Here is what was announced and what it means in practice.
Eligible UK scale-up businesses in the digital and technology, life sciences and clean energy sectors can now claim reimbursement of visa fees for international hires. The scheme allows eligible employers to claim up to £5,000 per eligible international hire — including dependants — with total funding capped at £25,000 per year per employer.
To be eligible, the sponsored worker must be applying under the Skilled Worker, Global Talent or Scale-up Worker route. Eligible visa fees incurred on or after 9 June 2026 can be reimbursed. Applications are submitted through the Grants Hub portal (available from 16 June 2026), and applicants can expect to hear back within 30 working days. This is a government-funded, time-limited scheme. Eligibility depends on sector and scale-up enterprise criteria set by the Department for Business and Trade, not simply on holding a sponsor licence.
A bespoke government concierge service has been announced for businesses with significant growth potential. It is not limited to Scale-up Worker sponsor licence holders. The service is designed to provide rapid, targeted government support to help high-growth firms overcome barriers in areas including regulation, access to finance and access to international talent. The service will operate on a tiered basis. Further detail on eligibility and how to access the service is expected in due course.
Overseas businesses that are already receiving active support from the UK Government's Office for Investment can now apply for a fast-track referral route for their UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence application. If accepted, processing takes approximately 10 working days — compared to up to eight weeks for standard applications. This is not an automatic priority service: it depends on active Office for Investment engagement and eligibility, and complex applications may revert to standard processing times.
Separately, the Home Office has also expanded its sponsor licence priority change of circumstances service from a minimum of 100 requests per day to a minimum of 120. This service allows sponsors to fast-track eligible changes — such as requesting an additional Certificate of Sponsorship allocation, adding a new Level 1 User, or amending organisational details — for a fee of £350 per request, with processing within five working days.
What this means for your business
For growing businesses that sponsor or plan to sponsor overseas workers, the visa reimbursement scheme represents a tangible cost saving for eligible hires. The concierge service and fast-track routes may also be relevant if your business is receiving government support or is in an eligible high-growth sector. It is worth checking whether your business meets the eligibility criteria before applying.
Get in touch
If you are an employer looking to expand your use of the Skilled Worker, Global Talent or Scale-up Worker routes — or if you want to understand whether the new visa reimbursement scheme or concierge service may benefit your business — we can advise on the immigration aspects and assist with eligibility assessment.
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