The government's Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for Scale Ups (VFRS4SU) opened on 9 June 2026 and runs until 1 March 2027 (or until funds run out). Eligible high-growth firms can reclaim up to £25,000 a year in visa costs, capped at £5,000 per international hire and their dependants, for hires via the Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Scale-up routes. Applicants must show over 20% annualised growth over three years, hold a sponsor licence, and operate in Clean Energy, Life Sciences, or Digital and Technologies.
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UK opens Visa Fees Reimbursement Scheme for scale-ups: up to £25k/year
Why this matters for founders
If your startup is in one of the three priority sectors and meets the scale-up growth test, apply early via the Department for Business and Trade Grants Hub, as funding is first-come, first-served, and claim back visa fees on any qualifying hire made on or after 9 June 2026.
Source: GOV.UK Find a grant
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