What is Self Sponsorship?

Self-sponsorship is not a formal visa category, but rather a legal route using the UK Skilled Worker visa . It allows overseas entrepreneurs or professionals to set up a UK business , obtain a Sponsor Licence for that company, and then sponsor themselves as a Skilled Worker to live and work in the UK. If the business continues to meet Home Office requirements, it can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and later British citizenship .

What is the Process of Self Sponsorship?

Stage 1: Establish your UK company & apply for a Sponsor Licence Register a UK limited company at Companies House using a UK service address; non-UK residents may serve as directors. Assemble your licence application pack: business plan, financial forecasts, HR/compliance policies. Pay the licence fee : £574 for small/charitable sponsors or £1,579 for medium/large sponsors. Submit through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). Decision times : up to 8 weeks standard; optionally pay an extra £500 for priority service (decision within 10 working days ) Stage 2: Build your compliance & HR policy pack Draft and implement mandatory sponsor-licence documents: Recruitment and right-to-work check procedures Record-keeping, reporting and monitoring processes Sponsor Management System (SMS) workflows Train your Authorising Officer and Key Personnel on compliance duties. Preparation time : typically 1–2 weeks . Stage 3: Assign your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) After licence approval, log into SMS to issue your CoS (defined for overseas applicants; undefined for in-UK applications). CoS must be assigned within 3 months of licence grant; assignment is immediate. Pay the Immigration Skills Charge when assigning: £364/year for small sponsors or £1,000/year for medium/large sponsors GOV.UK . Stage 4: Apply for your Skilled Worker visa Complete the online visa application using your CoS reference. Pay the Skilled Worker visa fee ( £769–£1,751 depending on role/duration) plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. Processing times : 3 weeks if applying from outside the UK 8 weeks if applying inside the UK Priority/super-priority services may be available. Upon approval, collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within 10 days of entry.

You qualify if your UK company and your role within it meet all of the following: A) You hold the right skills, qualifications or experience You must be hired into a role in your company that meets Skilled Worker requirements (Regulated Qualifications Framework level 3 or above). That means you need the education, professional qualifications or proven experience to perform the job you’ve created for yourself. B) Your UK company is genuine and active Your business must be a bona fide, trading UK limited company, registered at Companies House with a real UK address and operational records (e.g., bank statements, turnover projections). C) You have sufficient funds to run it There’s no fixed minimum or maximum investment threshold for self-sponsorship. You don’t need to show a set sum, but you should be able to prove your business has enough capital (often £25,000+ depending on industry) to operate and pay yourself the required salary. D) You appoint an Authorising Officer Every sponsor licence must have one Authorising Officer (AO) who is a paid member of staff or office-holder based in the UK (they do not need to be a British citizen, just UK-resident and on the company payroll). E) You meet the English-language requirement To get your Skilled Worker visa, you’ll need to demonstrate CEFR Level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening—either by passing an approved Secure English Language Test or via other UKVI-accepted evidence (e.g., a UK degree taught in English).

Can I Be a 100% Shareholder in the UK Business and Director?

Yes, you can have 100% of shares and you could be the Director.

How Much Investment Do I Require for the UK Business?

There is no minimum or maximum investment; it can range from £25000 or more.

When Do I Need to Demonstrate the Funds?

Before the Sponsor Licence is submitted to the Home Office.

What Will Be My Position in the UK Company?

You may be one of the majority shareholders in the UK business, and the job title may range from Managing Director, Director of Operations and any other relevant role you may take to run your business.

How Much is a Skilled Worker Visa?

The Skilled Worker visa fee ranges from £719 to £1,636, depending on duration and where you apply. IHS: £1,035/year per adult, £776/year per child.

Can I Take on Other Employment in the UK?

You may take on supplementary work of up to 20 hours per week , but it must be: In the same occupation code and skill level as your sponsored job OR In a role listed on the Shortage Occupation List (soon to be replaced by the Immigration Salary List , expected in 2025) You must continue to do your primary sponsored job.

How Can A Y & J Solicitors Assist in Obtaining Self Sponsorship?

We can: Introduce you to strategic partners to help you achieve your objective such as, but not limited to, an accountant, web designer, and a sales/marketing consultant. Company business plan preparation Guidance on opening a business bank account Prepare and advise on your company sponsor licence application Prepare and train your Authorising Officer Prepare and submit your Skilled Worker Application Provide you with complete hand holding support for your UK immigration process.

What if the Business Does Not Perform Well During the 5-Year Period, What Happens to Your Visa Status/Sponsor Licence?

The Sponsor Licence is valid for 4 years, at the end of the 4 years a renewal application will need to be made to the Home Office. As long as you have an active / trading business you can retain the sponsor licence. If business was to stop trading, then you will be required to switch your immigration category.

What if the Authorising Officer (AO) Leaves the Company?

The company will be required to replace an Authorising Officer (AO).

How to Apply for Self Sponsorship Visa in the UK?

The self- sponsorship visa is not a visa category. It is a new route for anyone who wants to move to the UK and set up a business there. It involves several steps t o know how to apply for a self- sponsorship visa in the UK . But primarily, you should establish a UK company and get an approved sponsor licence for a skilled worker visa. Then, you can sponsor yourself through the UK company that you established on a skilled worker visa.

Apply for Self-Sponsorship Visa UK

Q: What Business Would Qualify for Self-Sponsorship?

Self-sponsorship UK is open to anyone who satisfies all of the following: Has experience OR skills OR qualification(s) within the area of the business they want to establish Has a business idea or has identified a pre-existing UK business to takeover Has adequate resources to support their proposed business in the UK Please note, there is no minimum or maximum investment required for your business venture. It depends on your business need and may range from £25,000 or more. Ideally, has a person who is settled in the UK or a British citizen to take on the responsibilities of the Authorising Officer Has the ability to sit and pass an approved English language test at Level B1 (if required) Please note that B1 CEFR in reading, writing, speaking AND listening is the minimum level of English language required for the visa.

Acquire a business in the UK with ease
Gain peace of mind and avoid visa cancellation
Work with a team of immigration law experts

Why A Y & J Solicitors Are Your Ideal
Self Sponsorship Solicitor

When it comes to navigating the Self-Sponsorship route, you need a partner with deep expertise, end-to-end support and a dedicated commitment to your success. Here’s why A Y & J Solicitors stand out:

1. Over 15 Years of Specialist Expertise

Our firm has dedicated more than a decade and a half exclusively to business-immigration services, helping countless entrepreneurs secure their Self-Sponsorship on the first try. You benefit from insights honed by real-world case work and a proven track record of success.

2. Comprehensive Service

We cover and help you at every step:

HMRC/PAYE registrations
Sponsor Licence application and Sponsorship Management System setup
Certificate of Sponsorship and Skilled Worker Visa applications
Mock interview and post-approval compliance training

3. Three Guarantees You Can Rely On

Fast Response Time: All calls, emails and messages answered within 24 hours.
Unlimited Expert Advice: Ongoing legal support throughout your entire application – no caps or hidden fees.
Daily Case Oversight: We monitor your file every day to ensure deadlines are met and issues resolved promptly.

4. Enduring Compliance

Beyond securing your visa, we help you build a rock-solid compliance framework, including HRMS tools and regular audits. Partner with A Y & J Solicitors and transform the complexity of Self-Sponsorship into a seamless pathway for you and your family to live, work and thrive in the UK.

5. Gold-Standard Accreditation

Multi-award-winning – Relocate Awards 2018; Chamber Commerce Award 2017
SRA-regulated and recommended by The Legal 500
Recognised for excellence in immigration and asylum practice

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Your UK Self Sponsorship Route Cost

Self-Sponsorship

For entrepreneurs who already run a UK company and need legal help with licence & visa

£18,000 + VAT
- Sponsor Licence Application
- Skilled Worker visa Application
- HR compliance setup
- 12 months legal support
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Disclaimer: Business acquisition costs are separate and not covered by the Self Sponsorship fee above. A Y & J Solicitors does not handle business acquisitions. For acquisition support, we recommend our strategic partner, StratExec Capital Ltd. Please budget for these expenses in addition to our legal fee.

Explore Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa

Explore Self-Sponsorship Cost Breakdown

Explore Self-Sponsorship Detailed Requirments

The Three Key Milestones Every Self-Sponsorship Applicant Must Complete

Milestone	Self-Sponsorship
Stage 1: Engagement	100% fee up front
Stage 2: Licence Setup	Sponsor Licence application
Stage 3: Visa Application	Skilled Worker visa filing

With the timeline typically taking 6-8 months; starting early is advisable due to processing variables.

Explore Self-Sponsorship Guide

Hire a solicitor

"I never thought I could find a visa route. I have been told by every solicitor under the sun that there just wasn't an avenue for somebody who is self-employed, such as myself. I own a small business, so I gave up on it for several years, and then I was connected to Yash and his crew, and here I am."

Kate Corey, Founder of 6 Degrees

We specialise in Home Office case presentations	We offer comprehensive and expert legal support	We will support your case through to its conclusion
Our expert team knows what it takes to mitigate challenges and present your case to the Home Office in the best light for a positive outcome.	With more than 15 years’ experience managing sponsor licence compliance for our clients, our in-depth knowledge gives you an added advantage.	We endeavour to challenge any rare negative outcomes through administrative review, pre-action protocol letters or judicial review proceedings, within our fixed fees.

We specialise in Home Office case presentations

Our expert team knows what it takes to mitigate challenges and present your case to the Home Office in the best light for a positive outcome.

We offer comprehensive and expert legal support

With more than 15 years’ experience managing sponsor licence compliance for our clients, our in-depth knowledge gives you an added advantage.

We will support your case through to its conclusion

We endeavour to challenge any rare negative outcomes through administrative review, pre-action protocol letters or judicial review proceedings, within our fixed fees.

Common Challenges You Could Face With Self Sponsorship

Maintaining Visa: The Home Office conducts checks and audits at random so it is imperative that you maintain sponsor licence compliance throughout the tenure of your Skilled Worker Visa. We continuously support and monitor your compliance to ensure you meet all requirements and minimise the risk of potential issues during unexpected inspections.

Compliance Visits: The Home Office could conduct a highly detailed compliance visit at the time of granting the sponsor licence. During this visit, officers scrutinise every aspect of your business set-up. Therefore, it is critical that you ensure adherence to regulations in readiness for a visit. Our expert team works with you through a meticulous preparation process. We ensure you meet and exceed these standards to minimise any risk of non-compliance.

Interviews: The Home Office may invite the Authorising Officer and the candidate for a rigorous interview. This usually occurs at the time of granting the Skilled Worker Visa. The interviewer tests the genuine intent and viability of the business. In fact, it can be a highly stressful process for candidates. This is why we provide extensive preparation, including mock interviews and detailed briefings. These help our clients participate in the interview confidently and prepare them to present their case convincingly.

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Self-Sponsorship Explained - Enabling Individuals to Work in the UK for Their Own Business Without a UK Sponsor

Key benefits of taking the self-sponsorship route:

Settlement and Citizenship: Potential for permanent residency in 5 years and subsequent British citizenship.
Family Inclusion: Spouses, partners, and children under 18 can accompany the entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurial Freedom: Build and scale your enterprise independently, with the flexibility to match your vision.
No Minimum Investment: This route does not require a specific investment amount.
No Job Creation Requirement: This increases route accessibility.

Assured Stability: Reduces concerns about visa cancellation.
Geographical Advantage: The UK’s central location offers easy access to the Middle East, South-East Asia (i.e. India, Pakistan, China, etc.), the USA, and Europe.
Free Education and Healthcare: Access to free education for children and free healthcare under the NHS.
High Quality of Life: Developed infrastructure, better justice system, and enhanced safety and security.

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Dream It. Do It. Stories of UK Business Success With Us: Real journeys of ambition, resilience, and success—powered by strategic immigration and legal support by A Y & J Solicitors.

A Y & J Solicitors has handled over hundreds of successful Self Sponsorship UK applications, making it a renowned leader in UK immigration law. Each case that we take is handled with meticulous professionalism by our experienced team, meeting every requirement and providing the highest possible likelihood of approval.