Scale-up Worker visa

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Knowledge of English

You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply. You can prove it in one of the following ways, by:

  • having a UK school qualification
  • having a degree from a UK institution
  • having a degree from an institution that was outside the UK and taught in English
  • passing an English test from an approved provider

If you have already proved your knowledge of English in a previous successful visa application, you may not have to prove it again.

If you have a UK school qualification

You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a qualification from a UK school that you began when you were under 18. You must have one of the following qualifications:

  • a GCSE
  • an A Level
  • Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5
  • Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English

If you have a degree from a UK institution

You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree-level qualification that was both:

  • taught in English
  • awarded by a UK institution, even if you studied outside the UK

If you have a degree from an institution outside the UK

If your degree was taught in English and was not awarded by a UK institution, you’ll need to apply for an assessment from Ecctis.

Ecctis will give you a code to confirm that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English.

Passing an English test

If you do not have any qualifications that prove your knowledge of English, you will need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) with an approved provider.

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

From 8 January 2026, the level of English requirement is changing. If this is your first application for a Scale-up Worker visa, you’ll have to prove that you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2.

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English

You will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • the Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • the British overseas territories
  • Canada
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Jamaica
  • Malta
  • New Zealand
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • USA
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