Self-sponsorship in the UK is not a visa category, but this is a pathway for business owners to enter UK to start or join their active UK businesses.
To start this process, your UK business must secure a Skilled Worker sponsor license before you proceed to apply for the self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa.

This pathway not only opens the door to settlement in the UK but also allows eligible applicants to bring along dependent partners and children. Dependent partners are also allowed to work full time*.

The requirements to be eligible to apply as self sponsored skilled worker you will need to provide evidence that:

• You are at least 18 years old;
• There is a UK company that is active;
• The UK company holds a Skilled Worker sponsor licence;
• You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from the company;
• The job offer is a genuine vacancy;
• Your role is at the appropriate skill level;
• The salary requirements are met;
• You meet the English language requirement i.e. at least CEFR Level B1 (~UKVI IELTS Band 4.0);

The specific criteria you must meet to self-sponsor for a Skilled Worker visa can vary based on your personal circumstances.

Broadly the following steps need to be completed to apply for self sponsor visa:

1. Incorporate a company in UK
2. Apply for a sponsor licence
3. Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to the applicant
4. Apply for entry clearance (or switch) to Skilled Worker visa

The first step in the self sponsorship visa process is to incorporate a company in the UK or a company may already have been incorporated/trading in UK.

Can I incorporate a company in the UK if I am outside the UK?

Yes, you can register a company even if you are outside the UK. There is no requirement for the director of a UK company to be British citizen.

Employers in UK who want to employ migrants from outside the UK are required to be registered on the Home Office Sponsor Licence register.

Once the UK entity is incorporated the company can apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.

When evaluating an application for sponsor licence the Home Office will check that:

• The UK business is genuine and is carrying out/intends to carry out lawful business activities; and
• The UK business has adequate processes and is capable of performing its sponsor duties effectively; and
• The UK business has a genuine vacancy which meets the salary and skill level requirements of the Skilled Worker route.

1. Current, corporate bank account with a bank registered by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority in the UK;
2. Evidence that the business has registered with HMRC as an employer for PAYE and National Insurance;
3. Evidence that the business has registered for VAT;
4. Evidence that the business has employer’s liability insurance cover;
5. Evidence of ownership or lease of business premises by the business;
6. Recent annual accounts of the business
7. Evidence of CT600/603 for corporation tax
8. UTR number

The specific document requirements will vary based on the nature of the business.

It is possible for a non-UK resident to open a business bank account in the UK, but the requirements and procedures may vary depending on the bank and individual circumstances.

The Home Office requires that companies applying for sponsor licence are registered with Companies House, have a UK business bank account, be registered for PAYE/NI/VAT. However there is no requirement for the business to be actively trading or a minimum period of incorporation.

Our UK visa experts have successfully helped new start ups to apply for and receive sponsor licences. We have also helped new businesses linked to an existing business overseas to apply for sponsor licence.

We offer support on HR policies and procedures (if required) as part of our full representation service for sponsor licence application which includes conducting a job description analysis, providing a Sponsor Licence Policy guide, providing employers with guidance on Right to Work Checks. We can also offer annual sponsor licence maintenance package.

Once the company’s application for skilled worker sponsor licence is approved the business will be able to apply and assign certificate of sponsorship.

When an applicant has received the Certificate of Sponsorship they can then apply for entry clearance as skilled worker.

In order to apply for skilled worker visa the applicant will need to provide:

• Valid Certificate of Sponsorship;
• Evidence that they meet English language requirement at least CEFR Level B1 (~ Band 4.0 or higher on IELTS for UKVI).;
• Evidence that they can support themselves (and their dependents) without recourse to public funds;
• A Police clearance certificate/Criminal record certificate (if required);
• Valid TB certificate from approved testing centre (if required).

Application for entry clearance for Skilled Worker visa can be made up to 3 months before the day you are required to start work in the UK.

For applications outside the UK, the normal processing times are 15 working days, whilst applications within the UK are normally decided in 8 weeks. Applicants can also pay extra for priority and super priority processing where available.

Our UK visa experts regularly assist new and established UK businesses to successfully apply for sponsor licences and then sponsor themselves to live and work in the UK.

We strongly advise applicants to check their eligibility to apply under this route or to evaluate suitable options.

Our UK visa experts have been helping clients for their business expansion to the UK since 2009. Our UK visa experts are proactive in understanding and meeting client requirements and are dedicated to providing clear and reliable UK immigration advice.

Fill this form and one of our UK Self Sponsorship Visa Consultant based in India will contact you asap.