Self-sponsorship presents an exceptional opportunity to establish and operate your own business in the UK without the requirement of a UK sponsor. This pathway not only allows you to work in the UK but also opens doors to permanents residency and British Citizenship for both you and your family. By taking advantage of self- sponsorship, you can lay the foundation for a prosperous future while enjoying the benefits of setting in the UK.

 

If you are a successful businessperson seeking to expand your ventures in the UK or have a promising business idea you wish to explore and establish in the UK, this opportunity is tailor-made for you. By taking this route, you can take ownership of a UK-based business, enabling you to lead, manage, and sustain its growth.

 

The Self-Sponsorship Visa offers you the opportunity to establish a UK-based company that will serve as your sponsor for entry and employment in the country, with the assistance of a UK resident Director. One notable advantage is that there is no minimum investment requirement, unlike the Innovator Visa. By owning shares in the business, you can fully participate in its operations. A key benefit of self-sponsorship is the assurance it provides to business owners, as it allows them to confidently run and manage their companies in the UK without concerns of visa revocation.

 

However, before applying for the visa, the UK business must acquire a UK Skilled Worker sponsor licence. This self-sponsored route offers a pathway to settlement in the UK, with provisions for dependent partners and children to accompany the applicant.

 

To sponsor yourself for a UK Skilled Worker visa, you must follow 4 key steps:

 

1. Established a UK company.

2. Apply for a Sponsor Licence

3. Assign a CoS

4. Apply for a Skilled Worker Route

 

1. Established a UK Company:

 

To qualify for a UK Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship, you must initially either register a new company in the UK or already have a registered company in the UK. Registering a UK company from overseas is feasible, as there is no stipulation requiring a director of a UK company to be a UK resident or British citizen. However, if a non-UK resident director faces limitations in fulfilling their duties, such as attending board meetings or signing official documents in person, they may appoint a UK-based representative.

 

1. Apply for a Sponsor Licence:

 

Once you've registered a UK company, the subsequent step towards securing a UK Skilled Worker visa via self-sponsorship involves your UK business applying for and obtaining a Skilled Worker sponsor licence. We've compiled a comprehensive guide for UK businesses contemplating this process. In essence, the Home Office will assess whether your UK business is authentic, operates lawfully, and is competent in fulfilling sponsor duties. Additionally, they'll evaluate if your business offers genuine employment that aligns with the salary and skill level criteria of the Skilled Worker route.

 

To establish to the Home Office that your business is genuinely operating lawfully in the UK, you'll be required to furnish a minimum of four specified documents outlined in Appendix A of the sponsor guidance. The precise documentation necessary varies based on your application's specifics, thus seeking professional advice is advisable.

 

 

• Opening a UK Business Bank Account:

 

Non-UK residents have the possibility of opening a business bank account in the UK, although the specific requirements and procedures can vary among banks and individual circumstances. Generally, to initiate a UK bank account as a non-resident, you'll typically need to furnish identification documents like a passport or national ID card, along with proof of address (which may pose challenges for non-residents) and evidence of income or funding source. Certain banks might mandate a UK address or UK tax residency, and may offer only specific account types to non-residents, like basic bank accounts.

 

Additionally, while some banks may necessitate an in-person branch visit for account opening, others may facilitate online applications. It's advisable to explore various banks, understand their non-UK resident requirements, and directly communicate with them regarding necessary documents and procedures. Seeking professional guidance can be beneficial to navigate through options and ensure compliance with the bank's prerequisites.

 

• Company Trading in the UK:

 

To establish your UK business as a genuine entity operating lawfully in the UK for Skilled Worker sponsor licensing purposes, registration with Companies House and a UK business bank account are required, alongside potential registration for PAYE/NI and VAT, although active trading or revenue generation in the UK is not mandatory. However, demonstrating legitimacy to the Home Office can be facilitated through avenues such as having an actively trading overseas business with plans to establish a UK branch, having adequate investment funds for operations including staffing costs, and initiating preliminary business activities like setting up a website, telephone number, and email address in the UK.

 

• Sponsor Duties:

 

Licensed sponsors must fulfill several duties, including recording, record-keeping, and compliance with UK immigration laws. The Home Office assesses a sponsor's capability to meet these obligations by evaluating their human resources and recruitment systems. This includes verifying if systems are in place to monitor sponsored workers' attendance and visa expiration dates.

 

Additionally, compliance audits may be conducted before or after license approval. To assist with these requirements, our sponsor license application service offers comprehensive Human Resources policy and procedure packages, encompassing job description analysis, Sponsor License Policy guidance, Right to Work Checks instructions, record-keeping templates, and ongoing HR systems and procedures support.

 

• Key Personnel:

 

Before submitting your sponsor licence application, it's essential to appoint 3 key personnel:

 

An Authorising Officer is responsible for managing the sponsorship licence and ensuring compliance with sponsor duties. A Key Contact is serving as the primary liaison between your business and the Home Office. At least one Level 1 User is tasked with handling day-to-day sponsorship activities using the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). The Level 1 user must be British or settled in the UK.

 

In practice, to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship, you'll require a trusted individual based in the UK, preferably British or settled, whom you're willing to designate as a paid director, employee, or office holder of your UK business.

 

 

 

 

1. Assign a CoS:

 

Once your company's sponsor licence application is approved, you can apply for and allocate a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). These electronic records are essential for each migrant worker you plan to employ, each bearing a unique reference number enabling the worker to apply for a self-sponsored UK Skilled Worker visa. The CoS should not be issued more than 3 months before the Skilled Worker application date and must contain crucial details like the worker's name, job, salary, and start date, ensuring it hasn't been previously used or withdrawn by either the sponsor or the Home Office.

 

1. Apply for a Skilled Worker Visa:

 

Once assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship, you can proceed to apply for a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship. Your visa application must demonstrate the validity of your CoS, the genuineness of your job offer, its appropriate skill level, and a salary meeting both general threshold and SOC 2020 going rate requirements. Additionally, you must show payment of any Immigration Skills Charge, English language proficiency at least at CEFR Level B1, financial self-sufficiency, and provide necessary criminal record and TB certificates if required. Applications can be made up to 3 months prior to your intended UK work start date.

 

 

Our business immigration advisors specialize in helping both new and established UK business owners obtain Skilled Worker sponsor licences and subsequently sponsor themselves to reside and work in the UK. Whether you need an evaluation of your chances for a successful Skilled Worker visa application through self-sponsorship, guidance on crafting a compelling sponsor licence application, or expert support with submitting a self-sponsorship application as a Skilled Worker, our team can handle the process on your behalf with proficiency and dedication.