Build Your UK Business with a UK Self Sponsorship Visa
The Flexible Route to Establishing a UK Business

For entrepreneurs and business owners looking to establish or expand their presence in the UK, the Self-Sponsorship Visa offers a unique opportunity. With no dedicated UK investor or entrepreneur visa currently available, this route provides a practical alternative, allowing individuals to set up a business or purchase an existing one while securing residency.
The Self-Sponsorship Visa empowers you to take control of your business journey in the UK. By leveraging this visa, you can navigate the complexities of establishing your presence in a new market, ensuring that you have the necessary legal framework to operate successfully.
With Immtell’s support, you can confidently navigate the application process, ensuring that you meet all requirements and position your business for growth in the UK market
Beyond launching a business, the Self Sponsorship route allows applicants to bring family members who can live, work, study, and access the NHS in the UK. This provides a well-rounded foundation for those planning to grow their lives and operations in the UK.
It’s important to clarify that there is no official UK visa named the “Self Sponsorship.” Instead, this route leverages the existing UK Skilled Worker visa and sponsorship routes, which together form what we refer to as the UK Self Sponsorship Visa.
With Immtell’s comprehensive support, you gain access to immigration guidance and market entry resources, ensuring your self-sponsorship journey is compliant and strategically successful. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of the application process and establish a thriving business in the UK.

Comprehensive Market Entry and Business Formation Support
Successfully setting up a business in the UK involves navigating both regulatory and immigration requirements. Immtell provides end-to-end support to ensure your UK market entry is well-planned and fully compliant. Here’s how we can assist you:
- Market Entry Playbook: Immtell’s tailored Market Entry Playbook serves as a roadmap for entering the UK market. It covers essential legal, tax, and immigration regulations specific to your industry. This resource equips entrepreneurs and business owners with the strategic insights needed to make informed decisions, ensuring compliance every step of the way.
- Company Formation Assistance: We handle all aspects of establishing your legal entity in the UK. From selecting the optimal business structure to completing the incorporation process, Immtell simplifies these critical steps, allowing you to lay a strong foundation for your operations.
- Acquisition Support for Buying an Established Business: Purchasing an established UK business can accelerate your entry and growth. Immtell guides you through immigration and compliance requirements, ensuring you meet all legal obligations while preparing for successful operations.
- Experienced Personnel for New Businesses: New or expanding businesses often face challenges in appointing an appropriate Authorising Officer, especially if no internal team member possesses the required UK residency or compliance background. Immtell addresses this gap by providing skilled British and settled professionals to serve as your Authorising Officer (AO) or Level 1 User. This ensures you have knowledgeable personnel who can manage Home Office requirements effectively from day one.
- Bank Account Setup and Financial Compliance: A UK business bank account is essential for managing transactions, payroll, and daily operations. Immtell assists with every aspect of bank account setup and financial registration, ensuring your company is prepared for operational and financial success.
- Tax and Compliance Guidance: With Immtell’s expertise in UK tax and compliance, you’ll receive the support needed to meet your business’s tax obligations. We provide comprehensive advice on corporate taxes, VAT registration, and ongoing compliance, helping you avoid common pitfalls.
By partnering with Immtell, you gain a dedicated ally committed to your success. Our comprehensive support allows you to navigate the complexities of UK market entry confidently, ensuring your business is well-positioned for growth.
Why the UK Self-Sponsorship Visa is a Great Option for Business Owners
Immtell’s Four-Step Self-Sponsorship Process
Immtell’s proven approach to UK self-sponsorship streamlines each stage, ensuring your application and business setup are seamless and compliant. Here are the four key steps:
- Set Up a UK Company or Acquire an Existing Business: Immtell guides you through establishing a new entity or acquiring an existing business in the UK. From selecting the right structure to meeting compliance requirements, we ensure you have a solid foundation for your operations.
- Obtain a Sponsor Licence: As part of the UK self-sponsorship visa process, your UK business will need a Home Office sponsor licence to hire you as an employee. Immtell assists with the licence application, ensuring all documentation and compliance checks are in order. Our deep understanding of UK immigration regulations helps expedite this critical step, allowing you to move forward with confidence.
- Issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS): Once your sponsor licence is approved, we guide your business through issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship for your work visa. Immtell ensures that all details are accurately documented and submitted, allowing you to proceed smoothly with your visa application.
- Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa: With the CoS in hand, you can apply for a Skilled Worker Visa, granting you the right to work in the UK as an employee of your own business. Immtell provides comprehensive support for the application process, helping you gather required documentation, verify eligibility, and meet all Home Office requirements.
By following this four-step process with Immtell’s support, you can confidently navigate the complexities of UK self-sponsorship, ensuring a successful launch for your business in the UK.

Family and Lifestyle Benefits of the UK Self-Sponsorship Visa
The UK Self-Sponsorship Visa offers valuable benefits for you and your family, making it an ideal choice for those looking to build their lives in the UK.
- Work and Education Access for Family Members: With this visa, your family members, including your spouse or partner and children, can join you in the UK and enjoy the freedom to work or study. This means your loved ones can pursue their careers, attend school, or enrol in university, opening doors to new opportunities and experiences.
- Access to the NHS: As residents, you and your family members can access the National Health Service (NHS), which provides comprehensive healthcare without the need for additional private insurance. This access ensures that you and your loved ones receive the medical care you need, contributing to your overall well-being and peace of mind.
The UK Self-Sponsorship Visa not only facilitates your business expansion but also creates a supportive environment for you and your family to thrive. With Immtell’s expert guidance, you can navigate the application process confidently, ensuring a seamless transition to life in the UK.
Common Challenges in the UK Self-Sponsorship Visa Process
Applying for the UK Self-Sponsorship Visa presents several challenges that businesses must navigate effectively. Here are some common issues and how Immtell helps mitigate them:
- Establishing a Trading Presence: One of the biggest challenges is demonstrating a trading presence in the UK. Since April 2024, this has become a major focus area for Home Office caseworkers. If your business is not physically located in the UK, building this trading presence can be particularly challenging. Even if you manage to establish it remotely, justifying the need to come to the UK to operate can be difficult, especially given the government's goal to reduce net migration.
To show evidence of a trading presence, businesses typically need to provide documentation such as bills or invoices for goods or services, contracts for the same, and UK business bank statements showing revenue from these transactions. Immtell assists you in gathering and presenting this evidence effectively to support your application. - Navigating Home Office Scrutiny: The Home Office has increased scrutiny on applications, particularly concerning the justification for hiring foreign workers. Immtell helps you prepare a compelling case that addresses potential concerns, ensuring your application is robust and well-supported.
- Selective Support: At Immtell, we are selective about the businesses we support. We only take on clients when we believe there is a genuine chance of approval for the Self-Sponsorship Visa. This selective approach helps ensure that our clients are well-positioned for success.
- Role of the Authorising Officer: Many businesses struggle to appoint a suitable Authorising Officer (AO) to oversee compliance with immigration regulations. Immtell addresses this gap by providing experienced British and settled professionals to serve as your AO or Level 1 User. This ensures that you have knowledgeable personnel in place to manage compliance and safeguard your licence. LEARN MORE.
- Compliance with Immigration Regulations: The complexities of UK immigration regulations can be overwhelming, especially for businesses new to the market. Immtell provides expert guidance to help you understand your obligations and implement effective processes, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
By partnering with Immtell, you gain a dedicated ally committed to your success. Our comprehensive support allows you to navigate the complexities of the UK Self-Sponsorship Visa process confidently, ensuring your business is well-positioned for growth.
Why Immtell is Your Best Choice for UK Self-Sponsorship
Immtell’s expertise and comprehensive approach provide unmatched support for entrepreneurs and business owners entering the UK market. We don’t just assist with the application process; we lay the groundwork for your long-term success.
- Local Knowledge and Network: With extensive knowledge of UK regulations and a network of local experts, Immtell ensures you receive support for every compliance, tax, and operational requirement. This local expertise gives your business a competitive edge, helping you navigate the complexities of the UK market with confidence.
- Commitment to Compliance and Growth: Immtell goes beyond just helping you gain entry into the UK; we position you for sustainable growth. From initial company formation to ongoing compliance, our approach aligns your business with UK standards, setting you up for long-term success.
By choosing Immtell, you gain a dedicated partner committed to your success. Our comprehensive support allows you to focus on building your business while we handle the complexities of UK Self-Sponsorship, ensuring your expansion is both compliant and strategically sound.
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