Self-Sponsorship for UK Business Immigration

What is Self-Sponsorship?

 

 

Self-sponsorship provides an immigration route for experienced businesspeople looking to set up or take over an existing business in the UK.

 

It allows you to gain a UK work visa by being sponsored by your own company, without needing sponsorship from a separate UK employer.

Lead your own story in the UK

The self-sponsored route enables business owners and entrepreneurs to establish, join or take over a company in the UK which can then sponsor them for a Skilled Worker visa.

As the director and/or majority shareholder of your sponsoring company, you are able to work for and manage your own business in the UK. This provides more autonomy and job security compared to other work visas reliant on sponsorship from an external UK employer.

The self-sponsored route offers a path to settlement after 5 years and enables partners and children to accompany the main visa holder to the UK.

Key Requirements for Self-Sponsorship

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship, you must meet the following requirements:

Relevant skills and experience – You must have the appropriate skills, qualifications and experience relevant to the type of business you intend to operate in the UK. This is usually at the graduate level or equivalent.

Genuine business idea – You must have a genuine business idea for establishing a new company in the UK or have firm plans to take over or join an existing business.

Sufficient investment funds – You will need to demonstrate access to sufficient investment funds to establish and operate your business in the UK. There is no fixed amount but around £25,000 or higher is typically required.

Settled authorising officer – You must appoint a settled UK resident as your authorising officer for the sponsor licence application. This person will be responsible for compliance.

English language – You must meet the English language requirement, which is CEFR B1 level (IELTS 4) across all four components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

In addition, your sponsoring company must demonstrate to the Home Office that it is a genuine trading business that meets the requirements for licensing under the Skilled Worker route.

The Self-Sponsorship Process

Securing a UK work visa through self-sponsorship involves four main steps:

1. Establish your company

– Register the company with Companies House and obtain the required registrations for taxation, employer’s liability insurance etc.

– Open a business bank account and have the required level of capital available.

– Develop a business plan setting out your activities, market strategy and financial planning.

– Establish an office location and trading premises if required.

– Make sure to comply with all legal requirements for running a business in the UK.

2. Sponsor licence application

– Appoint authorising officer and key personnel.

– Apply to the Home Office for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.

– The Home Office will assess if your company is genuine and able to meet sponsor duties.

3. Certificate of Sponsorship

– Once approved as a licensed sponsor, your company can apply for and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to you.

4. Visa application

– You can then apply for a Skilled Worker visa, using the CoS to prove your sponsorship.

– You’ll also need to provide evidence that you meet all the eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa.

– The standard processing time is 3 weeks.

Why Choose the Self-Sponsored Route?

Self-sponsorship offers a range of benefits for experienced business people:

Autonomy

Ability to run your own business in the UK without reliance on external sponsorship.

Job security

Your visa is tied to your own company rather than an employer who could withdraw sponsorship.

Path to settlement

Opportunity to apply for indefinite leave to remain after 5 years of continuous residency.

Bring dependents

Partners and children under 18 can accompany the main visa holder.

Citizenship

Provides an eventual path to gaining British citizenship.

How can Youkey facilitate Self Sponsorship?

 

We offer a comprehensive range of services to assist you in achieving your goal of Self Sponsorship. Our services include:

Strategic Partner Network: We can introduce you to strategic partners, including professionals such as accountants, web designers, and sales/marketing consultants, who can play a vital role in your venture’s success.

Business Plan Preparation: We provide expert assistance in preparing a robust business plan tailored to your needs, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your objectives.

Business Bank Account Guidance: We guide you through the process of opening a business bank account, streamlining the financial aspects of your self-sponsored venture.