The Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme provides financial support to eligible UK-based scale ups by reimbursing visa application costs incurred when hiring overseas workers. It is specifically targeted at businesses operating within the following sectors:
Life Sciences
The policy objective is to reduce the upfront cost burden associated with international recruitment, thereby improving hiring speed and certainty for fast-growing businesses operating in strategically important sectors.
The scheme opened on 9 June 2026 and is currently scheduled to close on 1 March 2027, although it may close earlier if funding is fully allocated. Employers should therefore be mindful of the limited funding available and the importance of submitting applications promptly in order to maximise the likelihood of securing support.
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Key features
Under the scheme, eligible businesses may apply for grant funding of up to £25,000 per year, with a cap of £5,000 per international recruit and their dependants. The scheme applies to hires made under the Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Scale-up visa routes, and will reimburse visa fees incurred on or after 9 June 2026. Funding is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning that applications will be processed in the order they are received until the overall budget has been exhausted.
It is important to note that applications must be made by the sponsoring employer, rather than the individual worker.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the scheme, businesses must meet the Home Office and Department for Business and Trade criteria for a UK-based scale-up, including:
Demonstrating average annualised growth exceeding 20% in either turnover or employment over a continuous three-year period, starting with at least 10 employees at the beginning of that period
Operating within one of the designated priority sectors of Clean Energy, Life Sciences, and/or Digital and Technologies
Holding a valid sponsor licence
Having an established presence in the UK
Passing standard due diligence checks
Maintaining a UK bank account to receive reimbursement payments
Wider policy context
The introduction of this scheme reflects the Government’s continued focus on attracting global talent and supporting high-growth businesses in key innovation sectors. It has been launched alongside other measures aimed at improving access to the UK immigration system and facilitating business expansion. In particular, it responds to ongoing concerns regarding the cost of sponsoring overseas workers, which has increasingly been identified as a barrier to international recruitment, particularly for companies operating in technology and science-led industries.
What this means for employers
For qualifying scale ups, the scheme presents an opportunity to offset some of the significant costs associated with sponsoring overseas workers. However, it remains the case that employers will need to pay immigration fees upfront before claiming reimbursement, and access to funding is limited and competitive. The scheme is also restricted to a relatively narrow cohort of high-growth businesses operating within specific sectors, and employers must already hold, or be in a position to obtain, a compliant sponsor licence in order to benefit.
How we can help
Freeths’ Immigration Team can support employers in assessing eligibility under the scheme, ensuring sponsor licence compliance, and developing strategic approaches to international recruitment using the Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Scale-up routes. We can also assist with preparing and reviewing applications to maximise the prospects of securing available funding.
For further information or tailored advice, please contact our Business Immigration team.
The content of this page is a summary of the law in force at the date of publication and is not exhaustive, nor does it contain definitive advice. Specialist legal advice should be sought in relation to any queries that may arise.
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