Starting or bringing a business to the UK when you’re not a citizen can be incredibly complex. And, unfortunately, a stellar idea isn’t enough to grant you citizenship. But trying to figure things out on your own (when you’re also wearing the many hats of an entrepreneur) only leaves you exasperated. You want to gain a sense of freedom knowing you won’t lose your hard-earned visa — and that’s where our team can help. We’ll ensure you can start a business in the UK or extend your present foreign operation here without any legal headaches.
At A Y & J Solicitors in London, we’ve helped thousands of new and experienced business owners move to the UK from around the world. We understand the typical challenges that come along with your visa application for self-sponsorship UK and know how to mitigate them. We walk you through step by step, showing you how to self-sponsor a work visa in the UK. Instead of going it alone, let our lawyers take the weight off your shoulders, so you can rest easy knowing you’ll be able to bring your business (and family) to the UK.
Kate Corey, Founder of 6 Degrees
Ready to Secure Your Self-Sponsorship UK Visa Route? Discover the key to your successful self-sponsorship journey with our exclusive resources:
We are specialists in immigration law and have supported more than 4,000 business owners and professionals around the globe to successfully navigate the British system. We work quickly, always responding to any queries within 24 working hours. And we work closely with the Home Office to pre-empt issues before they jeopardise sponsorship applications or breach compliance. We manage all United Kingdom immigration matters including visa applications under the new points-based immigration system, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Spouse Visas, nationality, and more. We also handle complex cases of appeal, administrative reviews, judicial reviews and the many immigration challenges involving European Union law and human rights.
A Y & J Solicitors has more than 1,200 positive client reviews across Google and Trustpilot and is listed in The Legal top 500 best UK law firms, so you can rest assured your immigration challenges are in safe hands when you take these three simple steps:
"My experience with A Y & J Solicitors was excellent ,they are very professional, great clients communication and confident service. I think they are very knowledgeable and experienced about UK immigration rule. Special thanks for Elaha Basir who handle our case, you are brilliant. I really couldn't believe that you would send us the good news very quickly. Many thanks to you and your team for the excellent service. I will definitely come back for your services again and again."
"A Y & solicitors, massive thank you for making my UK skilled visa stress free, you’re very professional, great communication, special thanks to Amy and Jay , you guys are amazing"
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"Delighted with the service from A Y & J Solicitors! Sunny Sandhu and Purvaja Goswami handled my UK Skilled Worker Visa case with expertise and professionalism. Their transparent communication and efficient approach led to a successful outcome. Highly recommend their services!"
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Self-sponsorship in the UK is not a specific type of visa, but rather a way for business owners to stay/live in the UK to run their active trading business. This involves using a Skilled Worker visa, combined with having a sponsor licence for your own UK-based business. Essentially, it’s like sponsoring yourself through your business to work in the UK. However, it’s important to seek expert advice, as this isn’t a straightforward visa category. Self-sponsorship is mainly a strategy for business owners to start, grow, or manage their business in the UK.
Self-sponsorship UK is open to anyone who satisfies all of the following:
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.
Please note that B1 CEFR in reading, writing, speaking AND listening is the minimum level of English language required for the visa.
Stage 1 – Establish a UK company, and apply for a Sponsor Licence
With the help of a registered UK accountant, your UK company can be registered.
Note: If you are a NON-UK resident, you will be required to appoint a UK-based director initially.
Timeline: Approximately 6 to 8 weeks.
Stage 2 – Create and provide your UK company with a human resources pack
As part of the process of applying for a sponsor licence, you must ensure that your company has the necessary policy and procedures in place to sponsor you as a skilled worker.
Timeline: Approximately two days.
Stage 3 – Be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship, and we will assist you with the Skilled Worker Visa
Upon the approval of your UK company Sponsor licence, you will require a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship.
Timeline: Approximately 4 to 12 weeks.
The self-sponsorship method may be the best approach to work and live in the UK if you want to start a business there or extend your present foreign operation to the UK. It is crucial to remember that there isn’t a real “Self Sponsorship Visa” — the term “Self Sponsorship” refers to a strategy to enter the UK under the Skilled Worker Visa category through sponsorship by your own business. The Self-Sponsorship Visa Route UK will enable you to establish a UK company that will sponsor your entry and employment in The UK (with the assistance of a UK Resident Director). You can own shares in the business, and there is no minimum investment requirement.
One of the most significant benefits of self-sponsorship UK is that it enables business owners to run and manage their own companies in the UK without worrying about their sponsorship being cancelled by an external employer who no longer requires their services as an employee.
This visa option is best for seasoned business people or someone who has researched the UK market and might have seen a chance to launch a new company here. In order for your Company to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship, you must first get a Sponsor Licence.
Anyone who satisfies the qualifications below is eligible for self-sponsorship:
Your UK company will be required to provide a minimum of four supporting documents showing the Company’s lawful presence in the UK, which can include (but are not limited to)
Other information
It is advisable for the UK company to have the following:
Stage 2 – Create and provide your UK company with a Human Resources pack
As part of the process of applying for a Sponsor Licence, you must ensure that your company has the necessary policy and procedures in place to sponsor you as a skilled worker.
Timeline: Approximately two days.
Stage 3 – Be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship and we will assist you with the Skilled Worker Visa
Upon the approval of your UK company Sponsor Licence, you will require a Defined Certificate of Sponsorship (if you are applying from outside the UK) or an Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship if you are switching visa from inside the UK.
Timeline: Approximately 4 to 12 weeks.
You may be able to to take on a second job but this must fall within the strict conditions of your visa (supplementary employment).
We can:
Between £464 to £1,408. Additional fees are applicable, including the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is currently £624 per year for adults and £470 per year for child dependents.
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 the business were to stop trading altogether, then you would be required to surrender the sponsor licence. If you lose or surrender your licence you would need to switch your immigration category to continue to live and work in the UK.
Yes, you can bring your partner/spouse and/or children (under 18 years old) to the UK.
Yes, your company will need to pay you a guaranteed salary in line with the minimum pay requirements for your sponsored role.
The candidate must have a legitimate business that has a vacant position to offer sponsorship as a skilled worker. The business must be able to provide four supporting documents to evidence they are legitimate, for example a business bank statement, PAYE registration, etc. The job position must be genuine and the Applicant must have the relevant skill, qualification or experience for the role.
Though there is no specific amount, it is advisable that the sponsoring company has an amount in their account that would justify their business aspirations and pay the salary of a skilled worker. If the sponsor certifies maintenance on the certificate of sponsorship, then the skilled worker Applicant is not required to evidence any funds in their bank account. Otherwise, they will be required to demonstrate that they have held at least £1,270 in their account for 28 days prior to the date of their application.
Generally, the whole process, from setting up a business to obtaining the skilled worker visa, may take tentatively 3 to 6 months.
Your job should closely match a job from the following list: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes. As you would be working for your own business, you would likely be required to fulfill a job which is at least at a managerial level.
The sponsoring company would need to apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). After which the Applicant can make an application to enter/remain in the UK as a Skilled Worker visa holder.
Yes, family members (i.e. spouse/parter and children under the age of 18) can apply as your dependants.
You may be required to provide a CV or evidence of your work experience or qualifications.
you are required to extend/renew your visa will depend on the length of your certificate of sponsorship. If your CoS is for 5 years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) at the end of this period. If your CoS is for less than 5 years, you may be required to extend your visa to reach 5 years (unless ILR is not desirable and the visa holder can continue extending their visa. The company must still need to have a job position vacant for the renewal.
The Applicant must prove that they can read, write, speak and understand English to at least (CEFR) level B1. You can prove your knowledge of English by:
There is no requirement for the business to be innovative or unique under self-sponsorship route
A business plan is not a mandatory requirement for the application. However, it can be provided to demonstrate the companies plan over the next 3-5 years and their need for a sponsor licence.
You can work up to 20 hours a week in another job, as long as you’re still doing the job you’re being sponsored for.
Once you have completed five years in the UK as a skilled worker, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.
You must be able to demonstrate that the company has a genuine vacancy to fill and the Applicant has the relevant skill, qualification or experience to help the company reach its potential. If the Home Office feels that the position has been created solely for the purpose of providing a job to oneself, they may refuse the application.
Valid passport, evidence that you have enough money to support yourself (if sponsor is not certifying maintenance) and evidence that the English requirement can be met.
Depending on the reasons for refusal, we may be able to assist with an Administrative Review, or you may be eligible to apply again and rectify the reasons for refusal.
You can visit the official companies house website to register a company in the UK. You can also hire professional service provider to help you with the registration of the company for you. We alongside with our strategic partners, can help you register and set up a business in the UK.
You can usually switch to Self-sponsorship Visa route (i.e. Skilled Worker visa) if you’re already in the UK on another visa type, such as a Student visa (formerly Tier 4), provided you meet the other eligibility requirements, including having a job offer from a licensed sponsor and meeting the salary and skill level requirements for the job.You cannot switch from a Student Visa if you have not completed your course.
Not all visa types allow you to switch into the Skilled Worker category from within the UK. For example, visitors, short-term student visas, Parent of a Child Student visas, Seasonal Worker visas, and Domestic Workers in a Private Household visas typically require you to leave the UK and apply from your home country.
The main challenges are setting up the business and obtaining the relevant documents, going through the compliance visit with the home office (if any) as well as justifying to the Home Office that this is a genuine vacancy.
holder must ensure they remain compliant throughout the course of holding a licence. This involves the sponsorship duties that includes but not limited to monitoring immigration status – prevent illegal employment, recordkeeping , maintaining migrant contact details, maintaining attendance/absences and reporting duties. It may seem complex but help is at hand where we provide end to end seamless complete project management/deliver for you to obtain a self-sponsorship route.
Applicants are required to obtain ‘points’ when applying for a skilled worker visa. Points can be obtained for the meeting the English requirement, having an offer from an approved sponsor (this can be your own company under self-sponsorship route), having a job at an appropriate skill level and meeting the salary threshold.
