Sovereign AI Visa Reimbursement Scheme

About this opportunity

The Sovereign AI Visa Fee Reimbursement Scheme reimburses visa-related fees for international hires into UK-based research and development (R&D) roles for AI companies supported by the Fund. It is one part of the Sovereign AI Fund's wider integrated offer for AI startups. Most reimbursements are reserved for portfolio companies which have received Sovereign AI equity investment. A small allocation is also available to companies which have already received support from Sovereign AI (e.g. via Strategic Assets grants, compute or R&D procurement contracts), but may not have had the opportunity to receive equity investment. Companies which have not received support from Sovereign AI are not eligible for this scheme, but are welcome to apply to the Strategic Assets, Compute or R&D Procurement Schemes here . Companies may also be eligible for the BIST Visa Reimbursement Scheme for Scale-Ups . However companies should note they cannot claim reimbursement from both schemes. Portfolio route To apply, portfolio companies must confirm their status and consent to scheme conditions via the Sovereign AI Website To apply, portfolio companies must confirm their status and consent to scheme conditions via the Sovereign AI Website here . Portfolio companies may only apply for the scheme once legal execution of an equity investment from the Sovereign AI Fund has been completed. They can then submit claims to reimburse eligible fees for up to 10 international hires in qualifying R&D roles up until 31 March 2030. Hires must have started in-post on or after the date on which the agreement governing the Sovereign AI Fund’s investment in the Grant Recipient’s has been legally executed by all parties. They will then be invited to submit one or more claims via FlexiGrant (a grants software platform). Reimbursement claims must be made after the relevant visa has been granted, eligible fees have been paid, and the worker has started in the eligible UK-based R&D role. Non-portfolio route The Visa Reimbursement Scheme also supports some companies which have received other support from Sovereign AI (either compute, strategic assets grants or procurement contracts) but may not have had the opportunity to apply for or receive equity investment. To apply, non-portfolio companies must submit an application here. Applicants will be assessed on a rolling basis with selection assessed on the criteria below. Active UK R&D - The company should have a defined R&D programme underway in the UK, or imminently starting, that international hire(s) would materially advance. Focus area alignment: There should be strong alignment of R&D activities with a current Sovereign AI focus area UK base - A company should be strongly anchored in the UK. Relevant factors include: company domicile and legal jurisdiction, headquarters, founder and c-suite location, UK-based technical or R&D headcount, location of core R&D activity, expected UK tax and ecosystem contribution, and stated intentions on UK operations. Strategic potential - A company must have a technically sound product with a credible path to becoming a significant player globally in its domain, supported by a defensible competitive position. We aim to issue decisions on company eligibility within 5 working days of receipt. Once a company is assessed as eligible, separate claims can then be submitted via FlexiGrant. Reimbursement claims can only be made after a visa has been granted, fees have been paid, and the worker has started in the eligible UK-based R&D role. Eligible companies will be able to claim fee reimbursements for up to 5 hires into eligible R&D roles on or after the earliest applicable date on which: for support under the Compute Scheme, UKRI confirms in writing that the Grant Recipient has completed onboarding and its compute allocation has been confirmed for support under the Strategic Assets Scheme, the applicable grant funding agreement has been executed by all parties; for support under the R&D Procurement Scheme, the applicable contract has been executed by all parties.