Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa 2025
Entrepreneurs and business owners who wish to establish a new business in the UK or who own an existing UK company may be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship. This involves the individual’s own UK company acting as the sponsor. The applicant’s UK company must obtain a Skilled Worker sponsor licence before they can apply for the visa.
The self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa route provides a pathway to settlement in the UK.
Dependent partners and children of the applicant may also be eligible to join them in the UK.
General Requirements for a Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa
To qualify for a Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker visa, applicants must demonstrate to UK Visas and Immigration that they meet the following criteria:
- Be aged 18 or over.
- Possess an established, active, and genuine UK company.
- Successfully obtain a Skilled Worker sponsor license for their UK company.
- Be assigned a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from their UK company for the intended role.
- The job offer must represent a genuine vacancy.
- The role must be at an appropriate skill level.
- The offered salary must meet or exceed both the general salary threshold and the “going rate” for the applicable occupation code.
- The sponsor company must have paid the required Immigration Skills Charge.
- Demonstrate English language proficiency at least at CEFR Level B1
- Possess sufficient funds to support themselves financially without relying on public funds.
- Provide a criminal record certificate if required.
- Provide a valid TB certificate if required.
How to Apply for a Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa
In order to sponsor yourself for a Skilled Worker visa, you will need to complete 3 key steps:
Establish a UK company
Apply for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa
Step 1: Establishing a UK Company
To qualify for a Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker visa, you must establish a genuine and active UK company.
This may involve registering a new company or utilizing an existing UK company that you own.
It is entirely possible to register a UK company from overseas. While UK company directors do not need to be UK residents or citizens, they must fulfil directorial duties and obligations.
BHD Solicitors work closely with company formation agents to provide expert guidance on company set up, ensure compliance with all necessary requirements, and assist with navigating the complexities of UK company law.
Step 2: Applying for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence
Requirements for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence
To obtain a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship, your UK company must successfully apply for and be granted a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
Key Requirements:
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- Genuine Business: The company must be a genuine business operating lawfully in the UK.
- Sponsor Duties: The company must demonstrate its ability to effectively fulfil its sponsor duties.
- Genuine Employment: The company must offer genuine employment that meets the salary and skill level requirements of the Skilled Worker route.
Genuine Business Operating Lawfully in the UK
- Evidence Requirements: To demonstrate genuine business operations, you will typically need to provide at least four specified documents as outlined in Appendix A of the sponsor guidance. The specific documents required may vary depending on your individual circumstances including whether your business has begun actively trading. The required documents include:
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- Evidence of a current UK bank account with a bank registered by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.
- Proof of HMRC registration for PAYE and National Insurance.
- Proof of VAT registration.
- Employer’s liability insurance cover of at least £5 million from an FCA-authorised insurer.
- Proof of business premises ownership or lease.
- Most recent annual accounts.
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Demonstrating Ability to Fulfil Sponsor Duties
All licenced sponsors are obligated to fulfil specific duties, including record-keeping and ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.
UKVI will assess your company’s ability to fulfil these sponsor duties by scrutinising your existing human resources and recruitment systems and practices.
UKVI will evaluate whether your company has established systems to:
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- Track employee attendance.
- Monitor the validity of employee immigration status.
- Identify when employee permissions are nearing expiration.
UKVI may conduct compliance audits before or after granting your sponsor licence.
As part of our service, we provide all clients with a comprehensive Human Resources policy and procedure package. This package includes:
- Job Description Analysis: Detailed analysis of job roles to ensure compliance with immigration requirements.
- Sponsor Licence Policy Guide: Clear guidance on all aspects of the sponsor licence and compliance obligations.
- Right to Work Checks Guidance: Best practices and procedures for conducting Right to Work checks on employees.
- Record-Keeping Checklist and Templates: Practical tools to assist with accurate and efficient record-keeping.
- Ongoing HR Support: Continuous advice and support on maintaining effective HR systems and procedures related to immigration compliance.
Genuine Employment Meeting Salary and Skill Level Requirements
To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, your employment must meet specific salary and skill level requirements.
Eligible occupations are listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations and Appendix Immigration Salary List.
The salary must meet or exceed the general salary threshold (currently £38,700 per year, with potential reductions to £34,830 or £30,960 based on “tradable points”) or the “going rate” for the specific SOC code listed in Appendix Skilled Occupations.
The job offer must represent a genuine vacancy within the company.
Step 3: Applying for a Self-Sponsored Skilled Worker Visa
Once your UK company has been granted a sponsor licence it can assign you a Certificate of Sponsorship. You can proceed with your application for a Skilled Worker visa.
You must demonstrate that:
- You possess a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your UK company.
- The job offer represents a genuine employment opportunity.
- The role meets the required skill level
- Your salary will meet or exceed both the general salary threshold and the “going rate” for your specific occupation.
- The required Immigration Skills Charge has been paid by your sponsoring company.
- You meet the English language proficiency requirement of CEFR Level B1.
- You have sufficient funds to support yourself financially without relying on public funds.
- You have provided the necessary criminal record and TB certificates (if required).
Application Timing and Processing
You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa up to three months before your intended start date in the UK.
Overseas Applications are typically processed within three weeks.
In-Country Applications (Switching or Extending Stay) are usually processed within eight weeks.
Priority Services may be available for faster processing.
Our Immigration Expertise: Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visas
Our team of experienced immigration solicitors assists both new and established UK businesses in securing Skilled Worker sponsor licenses and guiding business owners through the self-sponsorship process for a Skilled Worker visa.
We offer comprehensive support across the entire application process, including:
- Eligibility Assessment: We evaluate your individual circumstances to assess your prospects of successfully securing a Skilled Worker visa through self-sponsorship.
- Sponsor Licence Application Assistance: We guide you through the preparation and submission of a robust Skilled Worker sponsor licence application.
- Self-Sponsorship Visa Application Support: We provide expert assistance with preparing and submitting your personal Skilled Worker visa application.
We are committed to providing personalized and proactive service. Our team prioritises clear communication, understanding your unique needs, and delivering reliable immigration advice tailored to your specific circumstances. We are a highly driven team dedicated to achieving successful outcomes for our business clients. Our approach is professional, friendly, and focused on providing you with the best possible support throughout your immigration journey.
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