Self-Sponsorship Frequently Asked Questions

Typically 3–6 months:

• Company formation & prep: 2–4 weeks
  
• Sponsor licence decision: ~8 weeks (priority option faster)
  
• CoS issuance: 1–5 days
  
• Visa decision: 3 weeks (outside UK standard), 8 weeks (inside UK standard), or 5–7 working days with priority
  

Feel free to adjust or let me know if you’d like any tweaks.

After licence approval:

• Request a Defined (overseas) or Undefined (inside UK) CoS
  

Submit your visa application with CoS, passport, financial and English evidence

Use the Companies House website or hire a professional service. We can introduce partners to help with this.

Four main stages:

1. Establish a UK company, gather documents, apply for sponsor licence (6–8 weeks)
   
2. Create HR policies & procedures pack (2 days)
   
3. Obtain Certificate of Sponsorship & apply for Skilled Worker visa (4–12 weeks)
   

Ongoing compliance and licence renewals

You score points for English, CoS from an approved sponsor (your own company), skill level and salary. You must reach the minimum points threshold.

You must prove the job is genuine. If Home Office suspects it exists solely to sponsor you, they may refuse the application.

After completing 5 years on Skilled Worker, you can apply for ILR.

If your CoS is less than 5 years, you’ll need to extend your visa to reach 5 years for ILR. Your company must still have the sponsored role vacant.

Your role must match a code on the Skilled Worker eligible occupations list, typically at managerial level if you’re sponsoring yourself.

You must prove English at CEFR level B1 via an approved SELT, a UK‑taught English qualification or Ecctis‑equivalent degree.