If you are exploring avenues to establish a business in the UK or have an existing UK business, you could be eligible for a “Self-Sponsorship Visa UK” by securing sponsorship from your UK business. Before applying for a “UK Self Sponsorship Visa“, your UK business should acquire a Skilled Worker Home Office Sponsor Licence.
Opting for the “UK Self-Sponsored Visa” pathway can lead to settlement in the UK, and you can bring along dependent partners and children. It’s worth pointing out that there isn’t a UK visa designated as the ‘Self Sponsorship Visa’. Instead, this terminology refers to a permissible pathway available under the Skilled Worker Visa category in the UK.
If you have an established business outside of the UK and want to create a UK branch or subsidiary linked to the overseas company by common ownership and control, the UK Expansion Worker visa route might be a better option for you.
The precise requirements to self-sponsor for a Skilled Worker visa may vary based on your situation. An immigration specialist such as Immtell can provide expert advice tailored to your circumstances.
However, on a high level, to self-sponsor for a Skilled Worker visa, you must meet specific requirements set by the Home Office, such as:
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Applying for a Skilled Worker visa via self-sponsorship involves four key steps.
To qualify for a “Self Sponsored Visa UK”, you need to either register a new UK company or already have a registered UK company.
Yes, you can register a UK company from overseas. No regulations mandate a UK company director to be a UK resident or British citizen. However, all directors, including non-UK residents, should fulfil specific requirements and obligations. If a non-UK resident director cannot perform their duties, they can designate a UK-based representative; in practice, many people looking to set up a business find it most accessible to have a UK director initially.
If you need to familiarise yourself with the UK company registration process or UK laws, consider hiring a professional company formation agent to guide you through the procedure and ensure all requirements are met. We can connect you with specialists who can help you with this.
Following the registration of your UK company, the subsequent move towards securing a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship involves your UK business applying for and obtaining a Home Office Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
In brief, the Home Office requires assurance that:
To convince the Home Office that your business is a genuine operation in compliance with UK law, you will need to supply at least four particular documents in Appendix A of the sponsor guidance.
The precise documents needed will depend on your application’s circumstances, hence the necessity for professional advice. In cases where the business has operated in the UK for less than 18 months (qualifying as a start-up business), a Home Office sponsorship licence application will generally need to incorporate the following documents:
Essential documents:
In addition to any three from the list below:
Non-UK residents can establish a business bank account in the UK, but the requisites and procedures may differ according to the bank and personal circumstances.
To set up a UK bank account as a non-UK resident, typical requirements include identity documents such as a passport or national ID card, proof of address (which might be more challenging for non-residents to obtain), and evidence of income or funding source.
Certain banks may require you to possess a UK address or be a UK tax resident. Additionally, some banks might offer only specific types of accounts, such as basic bank accounts, to non-UK residents.
Some banks might mandate a personal branch visit to open an account, while others permit online account opening.
It’s advised to explore various banks and their prerequisites for non-UK residents and directly engage with them to find out what documents and information are necessary to establish a business bank account. Consulting a professional who can explain your options and help meet the bank’s requirements could be beneficial.
Many banks enforce rigorous policies, making it challenging for individuals still residing in the UK to set up the necessary financial infrastructure for their businesses. For this reason, many non-residents employ the services of UK residents who can serve in a directorial role during the start-up phase. Once you’ve obtained your Skilled Worker visa and become a UK resident, the process should be more straightforward.
While your UK business should be registered with Companies House, maintain a UK business bank account, and, in most situations, be registered for PAYE/NI and VAT, it is not required to actively trade or generate any UK-based revenue. However, official guidance states that the business should have “an operating or a trading presence in the UK”. They go on to say, “are genuine and are operating or trading lawfully in the UK (an organisation is deemed to have been ‘operating or trading’ in the UK from the point at which it was incorporated)”.
Convincing the Home Office of your UK business’s legitimacy and legal operations within the UK is often easier under certain circumstances. The updated guidance issued by the Home Office to caseworkers in April 2024 indicates that new companies must provide additional evidence to satisfy the “trading presence” requirements.
Below are suggestions as to the circumstances which make this more achievable:
At Immtell, we have successfully helped obtain Home Office sponsor licenses for start-up businesses with an existing overseas business connection and new UK businesses without any such link. Our experienced immigration specialists can guide you on the best options and success prospects.
Alex, an accomplished software developer from India, was ambitious: to build his tech start-up in London's thriving technology hub. However, he found himself at a crossroads with a history of unsuccessful visa applications under the Start-Up and Innovator routes. The complexity of the UK's immigration system and the specific requirements of the different routes made the process seem almost impossible.
Just as Alex was about to give up on his dream, he found Immtell; we offered him a lifeline: the self-sponsored Skilled Worker Visa. Our team of immigration professionals swiftly guided Alex through the detailed process.
One of the significant challenges Alex faced was appointing a UK resident as a director during the start-up phase. Immtell, with our extensive network of trusted professionals, was instrumental in overcoming this challenge.
Under our expert guidance, Alex set up his UK-based company, prepared a compelling business plan, and successfully obtained a Home Office sponsor license. Despite his previous unsuccessful visa applications, Immtell's comprehensive assistance led to Alex receiving his Skilled Worker Visa.
Now, Alex heads a flourishing tech start-up in London's vibrant tech district. Despite the initial roadblocks, the Self Sponsored Work Visa made his journey to the UK possible.
Clara, a seasoned restaurateur from Italy, had always dreamt of bringing her successful Italian restaurant model to the food-loving population of London. However, her earlier attempts to move to the UK via the employment and start-up routes were met with disappointment. It would have been so easy if she had made the move before Brexit!
Disheartened but not defeated, Clara stumbled upon the opportunity of a self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa. She realised this could be her chance to turn her dream into reality.
The journey was challenging. One significant obstacle was establishing a UK bank account as a non-resident. Clara tackled this challenge head-on, diligently researching, understanding bank requirements, and providing necessary documentation.
With her UK business set up, the next hurdle was securing a Home Office sponsor license under Immtell's expert guidance. Clara was determined and focused, ensuring her business could carry out its sponsor duties effectively.
Next came the complex process of assigning a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS); although initially daunting, she soon realised Immtell's specialist immigration consultants could handle this on her behalf.
Despite her past experiences and challenges, Clara's dream became a reality when she finally received her self-sponsored Skilled Worker Visa. Today, Clara's London-based restaurant is a testament to her determination, offering a taste of Italy to the city's residents and fulfilling her long-held dream.
Every licensed sponsor is obligated to fulfil specific duties. These duties as a licensed sponsor encompass recording duties, record-keeping duties, and adherence to UK immigration laws.
The Home Office will evaluate your business’s capability to perform its sponsor duties by reviewing your existing human resources, recruitment systems, and practices. For instance, they would be interested in whether you have systems that enable you to track a sponsored worker’s absence from work or recognise when their current permission is nearing expiry. They may also execute a compliance audit either before deciding on your application or after your licence is granted.
In addition to assessing your UK company’s documents, the Home Office also seeks to confirm that:
Before your Home Office Sponsor Licence application, you must designate three key personnel:
When considering self-sponsorship, take note of these specific requirements for key personnel:
Practically, these requirements mean that if you want to apply for a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship, you must usually have a trusted individual based in the UK who is either British or settled in the UK and whom you are willing to appoint as a salaried director, employee, or office holder of your UK business.
If you’re considering hiring a third-party agent to act as a UK Director and Authorising Officer for a fee, consider how the agent will demonstrate to the Home Office that they have enough involvement and oversight of your UK business to fulfil their responsibilities. Also, remember that the Home Office can and regularly conduct unannounced compliance visits to the Authorising Officer’s business premises.
We collaborate with experts skilled in assuming directorial and part-time employment roles, and these professionals are also well-equipped to serve as Level 1 Users and Authorising Officers when necessary.
Upon approval of your company’s sponsor licence application, your business can then apply for and assign a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Certificates of Sponsorship are electronic records that must be assigned to each migrant worker you wish to hire. Each CoS carries a unique reference number, allowing the worker to apply for a self-sponsorship Skilled Worker visa. It is like a digital UK work permit.
Your CoS must have been issued up to three months before your Skilled Worker application.
Your CoS should include mandatory information, including:
Once a CoS is assigned, you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa
To sponsor yourself for a Skilled Worker visa, you will need to complete the following:
When applying for your Skilled Worker visa from abroad, you can generally expect to receive a response within three weeks. If you aim to switch to or extend your stay in the UK under the Skilled Worker category, the standard processing duration typically extends to around eight weeks. Expedited services may also be an option.
If your application is successful, you will get a visa to live and work in the UK for up to five years. After five years, you can usually apply to settle in the UK.
Remember, it’s always best to consult with an immigration lawyer or professional for the most accurate advice tailored to your circumstances.
Indeed, self-sponsoring applicants for the Skilled Worker visa can take on the roles of Director and own up to a 100% stake in their UK-based company.
Contrary to popular belief, there’s no obligation for those seeking the Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship to demonstrate a specified investment funds level. Nevertheless, proof that your UK business is a legitimate enterprise operating lawfully is required by the Home Office. Evidence of adequate investment funds to expand your business and meet minimum salary levels may be beneficial to substantiate this.
The Skilled Worker visa differs from the Innovator Founder route in that it does not necessitate the sponsoring UK business to demonstrate innovation, viability, or scalability. No endorsement by a Home Office-approved body is required, nor are there constraints on the business activities the company can engage in. The Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship is open to all types of businesses.
While not compulsory, a detailed business plan for your UK business can facilitate the process of convincing the Home Office that your business is genuine and operates lawfully.
Self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa holders must receive a salary from their company that meets or exceeds a general salary threshold, the ‘going rate’ for the profession (according to the relevant occupation code), and a minimum hourly rate (if applicable). Our UK immigration consultants can provide advice on the precise amount you should be paid based on your occupation, qualifications, and other criteria.
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship, you must show English language proficiency at least at B1 level (intermediate) on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in all four components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). There are multiple ways to meet this requirement, which include being a national of a majority English-speaking country, passing a Secure English Language Test, or obtaining a degree taught in English, among others.
Upon approval of your self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa application, you’ll be granted entry clearance or permission to stay until 14 days after the end date on your Certificate of Sponsorship, which can extend up to a maximum of 5 years from the start date of your Certificate of Sponsorship.
Yes, self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa holders can work in the job they are sponsored for. They may also engage in supplementary employment, provided it fulfils the definition of ‘supplementary employment,’ and they continue to work in their sponsored job.
Yes, self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa holders can be eligible for Settlement as a Skilled Worker after a continuous 5-year stay in the UK, provided they satisfy a residence requirement and pass the Life in the UK test (unless exempted).
At Immtell, we understand the strategic importance of you securing a UK visa via the Self-Sponsored visa pathway. To cater to your unique needs, we offer two specialised service packages.
💡 Transparent and Tailored Pricing: Our pricing is clear and upfront for each service package, enabling you to make an informed choice that aligns with your budget and timeline.
📘 More Information Needed? Check out our FAQ section for further details on the Self-Sponsored Visa Pathway and other queries.
📞 Embark on Your Visa Journey With Expert Support: Our services are customised to meet your needs, whether you require end-to-end assistance or fast-tracked processing. Contact us to discuss how we can facilitate a smooth and successful application for your Self-Sponsored Visa.
Navigating the landscape of the Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker Visa application can seem complicated due to its unique requirements and processes. However, the challenge becomes surmountable with Immtell’s expertise. Our skilled team of immigration professionals specialises in guiding applicants through the intricate process, providing bespoke assistance at every stage of the application.
Get in touch with Immtell’s expert team today. Let us guide you through every step of your application, turning complex processes into straightforward tasks. Your UK dream is just a click away!
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