UK Self Sponsorship / Self Sponsored Visa Explained

Last updated: 10 April 2024

While there is currently no official UK Self Sponsorship visa, it is possible to start a business in the UK and have your business sponsor you for a Skilled Worker visa as an alternative solution for self-sponsorship.

Self-sponsorship may be a particularly suitable option for individuals with a business background, such as entrepreneurs who already have a business in the UK.

Please note: because self-sponsorship is not a mainstream immigration route, it is recommended to seek the advice of an immigration solicitor who can evaluate your case and assist with your application. For assistance with your self-sponsorship application, please speak to our team in complete confidence on 020 3744 2797 or by email at info@reissedwards.co.uk.

There are a number of key benefits of the self-sponsorship route:

• You will be able to apply for settlement (ILR) after 5 years
• You do not need to have your business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body in the UK
• There is no minimum investment requirement
• You can be a majority shareholder in your business
• You can bring your partner and children to the UK

UK Self-Sponsorship Visa Process

In order to acquire a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship, there are 3 key steps:

1. Setup a business in the UK – for this, you will need a business idea or find an existing business you can takeover
2. Apply to the Home Office for a sponsor licence for your UK business, and issue a Certificate of Sponsorship
3. Apply for a Skilled Worker visa

Note: there are several types of work visas in the UK, however, the most widely used by far is the Skilled Worker visa. Other options available to those working for an existing business based outside the UK include the Global Business Mobility route, including the Senior or Specialist Worker visa and Second Worker visa. It is important to note, however, that the Global Business Mobility route does not provide a route to settlement in the UK.

Sponsor Licence Requirements for UK Self-Sponsorship

The second step in the self-sponsorship process is to apply for a sponsor licence. Our sponsor licence page sets out all of the eligibility criteria that must be met to secure a sponsor licence. In addition, there are some key points to bear in mind when applying through self-sponsorship, as follows:

• You will need to provide the details of a British national (i.e. a British citizen or a person who has settled here) who works for your business and can act in the role of Authorising Officer – an Authorising Officer is a senior member of staff who assumes responsibility for the actions of those who use the online Sponsorship Management System (SMS) which is used to issue Certificates of Sponsorship.
• You will need to provide details of the following:
  • why you require a sponsor licence
  • which sector you operate in
  • your company hierarchy chart detailing any owners, directors and board members
  • which eligible roles you need to fill
  • HMRC VAT registration certificate
  • proof of ownership or lease of your business premises
  • registration with HMRC as an employer for PAYE and National Insurance, and
  • employer’s liability insurance cover for at least £5m from an insurer authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority
• You will not need to provide evidence of investment funds
• You will not need to provide evidence that your company is making a profit in order to provide you with a salary.

Given the complexity involved in preparing this application, seeking assistance from an immigration solicitor may be a wise option to ensure that all requirements are met prior to submission to the Home Office. Once you have secured your sponsor licence and issued a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), you can move to the next stage: apply for a Skilled Worker visa.

Skilled Worker Visa Requirements for UK Self-Sponsorship

All of the eligibility requirements for the Skilled Worker visa are set out in detail in our Skilled Worker visa page. When applying for a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship, you will need to demonstrate that you:

• Have an eligible job (only certain roles can be sponsored for a Skilled Worker visa)¹
• Receive a salary of at least £38,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your type of work, and
• Can read, write, speak and understand English to CEFR level B1 or above

Alternatives to the UK Self Sponsorship visa route

If self-sponsorship is not suitable for your needs, you may be able to consider alternative routes such as the UK Innovator Founder visa.

The Innovator Founder visa is for overseas businesspeople who wish to establish a business in the UK. Applicants must have an endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body that their business idea is new, innovative, and viable. They must also write, speak and understand English to a CEFR level B2 or above and have sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK. Due to recent changes under this route, there is now no minimum investment amount, but you will need to demonstrate to the endorsing body that you have sufficient funding to start and run your new business in the UK.

For assistance with UK self-sponsorship or any other type of work visa application, please speak to one of our business immigration lawyers on 020 3744 2797 or by email at info@reissedwards.co.uk.

Reference:

¹ GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations