Self-Sponsorship refers to an application to come and work in the UK for your own business without the need of having a UK Sponsor. This can lead to permanent residency and British citizenship for yourself and your family.
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.
We saw how the new changes in the UK immigration policy piled on fresh hurdles for the usual self-sponsorship route, so we built our Accelerated programme to cut through the red tape and get you moving to the UK faster, backed by our regulated UK legal team, clear milestone fees and refund guarantees, and a roadmap all the way to Indefinite Leave to Remain. Whether you’re already running a UK business and just need legal peace of mind, looking to buy into a revenue-generating company without the startup headaches, or craving a full white-glove move with zero admin, we’ve got you covered. Just genuine business setups with straightforward self sponsorship.
Essential Self-Sponsorship is all about fast, cost-effective legal support for entrepreneurs who already have a UK company in place.
Executive Self-Sponsorship lets you acquire a ready-made business with full immigration and compliance support, no startup hassle, just a clear path to your Skilled Worker visa.
Note: A Y & J Solicitors is a UK immigration law firm authorised and regulated by the SRA. StratExec Capital Ltd (SCL), a separate company under the same ownership, supports business sourcing and transfers but is not SRA-regulated. You are under no obligation to use SCL, immigration legal services are provided independently by A Y & J Solicitors through a separate engagement.
Read the packages in detail below
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"I had the pleasure of working with Ikra from AY&J who made my entire visa process exceptionally smooth and hassle-free. They were supportive, detailed, and incredibly quick to respond. Highly recommend their professional and efficient service!"
Abdul Sufin Sathick
"My experience with A Y & J Solicitors was nothing but excellence. The dedicated team (Ashu, Surabhi, Purvaja, Diana) were amazing. The process was detailed and every step was explained with transparency. I will certainly recommend them for any immigration related advice and challenges. The entire team of A Y & J are highly skilled professionals. Lastly, I had great interaction and now a relationship with the duo of Mihir and Amin."
Ismaila Ibrahim
Taking your business to the UK shouldnt feel like youre stuck in a never-ending paperwork tangle. With new White Paper rules making things tougher, its normal to worry about visa deadlines and compliance while trying to grow. Thats exactly why we created our Accelerated Self-Sponsorship programme.
Our experienced team of UK-regulated immigration lawyers will handle your sponsor licence, visa strategy, compliance checks, clear milestone fees, etc. so you dont have to. Whether you already run a UK company or want to jump straight into a ready-made business without the start-up headaches, we have the ideal path for you. Spend your time dreaming big, not drowning in forms, lets get your UK plans rolling.
Note: A Y J Solicitors is a UK immigration law firm authorised and regulated by the SRA. StratExec Capital Ltd (SCL), a separate company under the same ownership, supports business sourcing and transfers but is not SRA-regulated. You are under no obligation to use SCL, immigration legal services are provided independently by A Y J Solicitors through a separate engagement.
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. |
Ready to Secure Your UK Self Sponsorship Visa Route? Discover the key to your successful self-sponsorship journey with our exclusive resources:
With the timeline typically taking 6-8 months; starting early is advisable due to processing variables.
Self-sponsorship can be a difficult and complicated path to employment in the UK if you are going through the process alone. With such high stakes involved—a minor administrative mistake can hold up your application for months. As a result, it's important to seek professional assistance. At AY & J Solicitors, we have developed two exclusive, all-encompassing packages that keep you at ease while providing the best chance for a successful application.
Please note that Government Visa fees are additionally payable on top of your package cost.
A full legal package handling your sponsor licence and Skilled Worker visa application, ideal for entrepreneurs already running a UK company.
Acquire an active UK trading company with end-to-end immigration support and milestone-based payments with 0 compliance or start-up hassles.
Please note: A Y J Solicitors is a UK immigration law firm authorised and regulated by the SRA. StratExec Capital Ltd (SCL), a separate company under the same ownership, supports business sourcing and transfers but is not SRA-regulated. You are under no obligation to use SCL, immigration legal services are provided independently by A Y J Solicitors through a separate engagement.
| Support you will require | AY&J Self Sponsorship service | Other Service Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Opening a Business Bank Account | ||
| Recruiting Key Personnel for Sponsor License | ||
| Setting Up Sponsor License Compliance System | ||
| Preparing Sponsor License Application | ||
| Managing Compliance visit from the Home Office | ||
| Preparing Certificate of Sponsorship Application | ||
| Preparing Skilled Worker Visa Application | ||
| Preparing for the Home Office Interview | ||
| Unlimited Legal Advice and Services throughout | ||
| Support to challenge potential refusals at no extra cost (wherever possible) | ||
| Website creation (wherever necessary) | ||
| Business Plan (wherever necessary) | ||
| Registration with the HMRC for PAYE and VAT | ||
| Strategic partner support (for office hire etc.) | ||
| HR Management Software System for ongoing compliance | ||
| Sponsor Licence Compliance Training |
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.
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 Visa, 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:
As a multi-award-winning law firm recommended by The Legal 500 with over a decade of specialised immigration experience, we create the gold standard and benchmark in expertise, authority, and credibility to get the desired results. Moreover, this result driven approach has created an overall record of 5,000+ successful immigration and visa applications, enabling the companies and individuals to be confident that their visa process is in experienced hands committed to their success.
Our commitment to excellence is backed by the best.
We take pride in being featured and officially accredited by top business, immigration, and legal platforms. Our work continuously meets the highest criteria of trust, credibility, and results, earning us major accolades and high-level media attention. These accolades are more than just badges; they serve as evidence that clients are in capable, safe hands when they choose us.
Yes, you can definitely sponsor yourself in the UK via certain visa routes like the Self Sponsorship route or the Innovator Founder Visa route. These visa routes allow you to sponsor yourself by letting you set up or run a business in the UK without needing any employer to employ or sponsor you. However, the only catch here is that the eligibility criteria for both of these visa routes is riddled with strictness and they need a thorough documentation for the same.
Yes, you can apply for a UK visa on your own without using an agent or solicitor. The UK government does provide clear guidance online, and many individuals complete the process themselves. However, it is important to note that something as critical as the immigration should always be done with the help of an expert. One wrong move can cost you months of hardwork again or in extreme cases ineligibility to re-apply. As a result, always consult a solicitor. At A Y & J, we ensure that we don’t only become your case workers but we become your immigration advisors advising you on the correct steps that need to be taken while you’re in the process for a better and successful result.
To answer this simply, No! The UK doesn’t have any “Self-employment visa”, however it is important to note that you can still run your business through other routes. The Innovator Founder Visa acts as a ray of hope, if you have an original business idea which is endorsed by an approved UK body. Simultaneously, there is one more visa route called the Self Sponsorship Visa Uk route. The process for this is via the sponsor licence. You have to apply for a sponsor licence and then sponsor yourself for a skilled worker visa. Both of these routes allow you to work for your own business and scale it legally. However, the eligibility criteria for these require detailed planning, paperwork, and long term commitment to meeting immigration and business compliance standards.
Firstly, yes you can move to the UK without a job sponsor through multiple visa options. These options include the Global Talent Visa for leaders in tech, academia, or the arts. The Innovator Founder Visa and the Self Sponsorship are other alternate options for the same goal. Each has its own set of rules and eligibility criteria, but none require employer sponsorship.
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.
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.
We can:
To successfully obtain the self-sponsorship visa UK requirements, you must follow a structured process. Here are the 4 main stages involved in the process of self-sponsorship.
Stage 1– Establish a UK company, obtain mandatory documents 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 must initially appoint a UK-based director.
Timeline: Approximately 6 to 8 weeks
Stage 2 – Create and provide your UK company with a human resources pack
As part of applying for a sponsor licence, you must ensure that your company has the necessary policy and procedures to sponsor you as a skilled worker.
Timeline: Approximately two days
Stage 3 – You will 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 or Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship.
Timeline: Approximately 4 to 12 weeks
If you are a successful businessperson, and you have identified a business opportunity in the UK, OR you have a great business idea and want to explore your business opportunity in the UK,
and
Then this route could suit you.
1.Who would qualify?
Self-Sponsorship is open to anyone who satisfies all of the following:
A) has experience OR skill OR qualification with the area of the business they want to establish
B) has a business idea or has identified the UK established business
C) 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.
D) deally, has a UK local person who is settled or British citizen to take on the responsibilities of the Authorising Officer, and
E) has the ability to sit and pass an approved English language test at Level B1*
*Please note, this is a basic level of the English language requirement.
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:
Any business can qualify for the self-sponsorship route
The company will be required to replace an Authorising Officer (AO).
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.
There is no minimum or maximum investment; it can range from £25000 or more.
Before the Sponsor Licence is submitted to the Home Office.
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.
We can:
Sponsor Licence application fee
Small or charitable sponsor: £574
Medium or large sponsor: £1,579
Certificate of Sponsorship assignment fee: £525
Skilled Worker visa application fee (main applicant)
From outside the UK: £719 (up to 3 years) or £1,420 (over 3 years)
From inside the UK: £827 (up to 3 years) or £1,636 (over 3 years)
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): £1,035 per adult per year; £776 per child per year
Optional extras: Priority visa service (£500–£1,000+), legal/professional fees (varies)
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.
Your company must be legitimate and have a genuine vacancy to enable you to be sponsored as a Skilled Worker. Your company should have obtained a Sponsor Licence with A-rating. The job must be genuine, and you must have the relevant skills, qualifications, or experience. Primarily, you must comply with all self-sponsorship visa UK requirements. Then, you can proceed with this route.
Your company should have sufficient funds to pay the salary and run its operations
Maintenance requirement: If the company does not certify maintenance on the CoS, you must show £1,270 in your personal bank account held for 28 days before applying
If maintenance is certified by your company, you don’t need to show personal funds
The full process usually takes 3 to 6 months, including:
Company formation & document preparation: 2–4 weeks
Sponsor Licence decision: ~8 weeks (faster with priority option)
Certificate of Sponsorship issuance: 1–5 days after licence approval
Skilled Worker visa decision:
3 weeks from outside the UK (standard)
8 weeks inside the UK (standard)
5–7 working days (priority)
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.
There is an exhaustive process involved in how to apply for a self-sponsorship visa in the UK. But, to keep it simple, the sponsoring company would need to first apply for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS). After which the applicant can apply 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 may be required to extend/renew your visa if the length of your sponsorship is less than 5 years. 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 along with meeting the requirements for ILR. If an ILR is not desirable, you can continue to extend your 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
While a business plan is not mandatory, it is highly recommended, especially if your company is newly registered. It helps demonstrate your business’s viability, projected salary structure, and genuine need for the skilled worker role.
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.
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.
Yes — you can switch to the Skilled Worker route (self-sponsorship model) from within the UK if you hold a valid visa such as:
Student (after completing course)
Graduate visa
Start-up or Innovator visa
Dependant visa
You cannot switch if you are on:
Visitor visa
Short-term student visa
Seasonal worker visa
Domestic worker visa
In these cases, you must leave the UK and apply from overseas.
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.
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 to 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.
With more than 5,000+ successful immigration cases behind us, A Y & J Solicitors is known for its reliable service and real results. For over ten years, we’ve supported individuals and companies through sponsor licence applications, visas, and settlement routes with care and attention to detail. While recognition from The Legal 500 matters, our real achievement is the trust our clients place in us. When you use us, you receive clear guidance, practical advice, and a team of lawyers who actually have your back.
Managing Director
The driving force behind the company, Yash has years of legal experience and an uncompromising focus on client success. His leadership is the catalyst for integrity, innovation, and results.
Head of Operations
With a keen eye for process excellence and attention to detail, Diana makes every client experience seamless, efficient, and treated with care—from initial contact to final resolution.
Chief Operating Officer
Anik combines strategic mind with operational acumen to drive scale of impact and efficiency in service delivery. His systems philosophy runs the engine smoothly.
Sales Manager
Amin heads the frontlines of client interaction. He is driven by a consultative mind and profound knowledge of immigration options, matching clients with solutions that best meet their objectives.
