Bridge Partners

Self Sponsorship

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government.

Can I apply for the UK Skilled Worker visa?

We can help you. It’s what we do.

Overview

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

You can apply for a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK in an eligible job with an employer licenced as a sponsor by the UK government. This UK work visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa. This category is for all foreign nationals who have been offered a skilled job to fill a gap in the workforce which cannot be filled by an already settled worker in the UK. There are a number of complex scenarios which should be discussed and explored in detail before you can apply.

International Sportspersons visa

This category is for highly skilled sportspersons who must be recognised by a governing body as an elite sports person or a sports coach. The applicant must demonstrate that their employment in the UK will encourage the sport to become more elite and prominent in the UK.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of 5 years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £35,800.

Indefinite leave to remain

The skilled worker visa lasts for up to five years. If you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your, as long as you still meet the eligibility requirements. After five years, you may also be entitled to apply for indefinite leave to remain, which gives you the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as you like. You must apply to extend or update your skilled work visa UK if you change jobs or employer.

To apply for ILR you must have spent continuous period of five years in the UK and must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months. You must also meet the English language requirement, pass the Life in the UK test and meet the salary threshold requirement of at least £25,600 per year.

What is self-sponsorship?

The self-sponsorship route is ideal for those who are looking to set up a new business in the UK, or currently own an existing UK business. Your UK business will need to obtain a Skilled Worker sponsor licence before you can apply for a Skilled Worker visa via self-sponsorship.  

One of the most attractive features of this route, is that it enables you as a business owner to run and manage your business in the UK without the fear of your visa being revoked. This is an ideal option that will not only enable you to establish a UK company but also to sponsor your entry and employment. Not to mention, there is no minimum investment requirement, nor do you require your business idea to be endorsed by an approved endorsing body in the UK.  

As you may be aware, self-sponsorship is not a mainstream immigration route in the UK, so we would highly recommend reaching out to our legal team for expert advice and guidance through this complex process. Additionally, this route can also lead to settlement in the UK and applicants have the possibility of being joined by dependents partners and children, so it’s worth having these discussions with a member of a team, if this is something of interest. 

Who can apply for self-sponsorship?

If you are a successful businessperson or have identified a business opportunity in the UK and wish to explore this further. Additionally, if you are an individual that wishes to own a UK business, wants to lead, manage, and maintain your UK business or wants to achieve settlement in the UK.  

Furthermore, this route is open to those who satisfy the following requirements: 

  • Has proven experience or skills/ qualifications within the area of the business that they wish to establish in the UK. 
  • Has a business idea or has identified a pre-existing UK business to takeover. 
  • Has adequate resources to support their proposed business in the UK. 
  • Ideally, has a person who is settled in the UK or a British citizen to take on the responsibilities of the Authorising Officer. 
  • Has the ability to pass an approved English Language test at Level B1. 

What are the requirements of a Self-Sponsorship?

There are several requirements that must be met to be eligible for self-sponsorship, which include: 

  • You must possess some expertise, skill, or qualification in the industry where you plan to launch your business. 
  • You should have a clear and legitimate business concept or have found an existing company in the UK that you wish to expand. 
  • The applicant must possess the financial resources to run their desired business in the UK. 
  • Please note that there is no minimum or maximum investment amount that must be made in your business endeavour.  
  • The applicant is familiar with a British national who is a resident of the UK and can fulfil the duties of the Authorising Officer. 
  • The applicant must take and pass the Level B1 certified English language test. 
  • Basic knowledge of the English language is required.  

How much is Self-Sponsorship?

There are various costs involved regarding your self-sponsorship. The cost for self-sponsorship will depend on the size and status of your business. There is a £536 application fee for small and charitable businesses, with a £1,476 fee for medium or large businesses 

How do I apply for a Self-Sponsorship?

To apply for a self-sponsorship visa, there are 4 key stages which must be undertaken: 

  1. Establish a UK company 
  1. Apply for a sponsor licence 
  1. Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship 

 

(Establish a UK Company) 

With the help of a registered UK accountant, you will first need to either register a new company in the UK or have already registered a company in the UK.  

It is possible to register a UK company from overseas – there is no requirement for a director of a UK company to be a UK resident or British citizen. However, all directors of UK companies, including non-UK residents, must meet certain requirements and obligations.  

 

(Apply for a sponsor licence) 

To successfully apply for a sponsor licence, your UK company will be required to provide a minimum of 4 of the documents specified documents (as set out in Appendix A of the sponsor guidance): 

  • A recent bank statement that shows funds in account (the amount required will depend on the type of business you are planning to run) 
  • Employer’s Liability Insurance 
  • VAT certificate  
  • PAYE and Accounts Reference Number 

 

In addition to this, it is advisable for your UK company to have the following: 

  • A functional website (if applicable) 
  • A company email address 
  • A detailed business plan  
  • An organisation chart – showing the current staff and vacancies 
  • A letter confirming various details about your company such as business details, operating hours, the vacancies you have, and the salary you will pay yourself.  

 

(Be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship)  

Upon the approval of your UK company sponsor licence, you will be required a Define Certificate of Sponsorship. 

How long is a Self-Sponsorship valid for?

The self-sponsorship is valid for 4 years, at the end of the 4 years a renewal application will need to be submitted to the Home Office. If you have an active/trading business, you can retain the sponsor licence.  

How long does the Self-Sponsorship take to process?

If applying from overseas, you should receive a decision on your self-sponsored skilled worker visa application within 3 weeks. The standard processing time for an application to switch into or extend a stay in the UK as a Skilled Worker is 8 weeks – a priority service may be available for this.  

How can Bridge Partners Immigration help?

If you are a UK business owner wishing to proceed on the self-sponsorship route, our team at Bridge Partners Immigration can best assist you every step of the way. From your initial plan to setting up your business to apply for self-sponsorship, we can advise you. If you would like more information on this process, call our friendly team today.  

Frequently Asked Skilled Worker visa​ Application Questions

Someone can be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa if they have a job offer from a sponsoring company in the UK for a job that is on the list of skilled worker occupations. In addition, the skilled worker must have the required skills and experience to undergo the role in the company and have the required level of English language ability.   

The minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa is either £25,600 per year, £10.10 per hour or the “going rate” for the particular occupation code, whichever is highest. For each job on the Home Office occupation list, there is a “going rate” which details the recommended annual and hourly salary that an individual must earn for the role. The rates are based on a 39-hour week of work. Those applying for the Skilled Worker visa need 50 points to do so. These are gained from sponsorship, skill level and English language requirements. However, 20 further tradable points can be given to those that meet the minimum salary requirement. 

You cannot move to the UK without a job offer from a company that has a UK sponsor licence, unless you apply for the Global Talent visa where this is not a requirement. When you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa you must provide a certificate of sponsorship reference number which proves that you have a job offer and therefore permission to work in the UK with a registered sponsor.  

The general Skilled Worker visa requirements are that you must have a job offer from a company that is a UK-registered sponsor and have a certificate of sponsorship that confirms that you have permission to work in the UK within a specific job role. You must be paid the required minimum salary for the occupation, have the required skill level and English language ability to do the job and have enough funds to support yourself in the UK.   

Once all the correct documentation has been submitted, it takes around 3 weeks for an application for a Skilled Worker visa to be processed by the Home Office when applying outside of the UK. For applications within the UK, the standard processing time is 8 weeks, although this can take around 9 weeks on average.  

For the Skilled Worker visa, you will need to provide a valid passport and proof that you have a job in the UK with details about your job role, salary, and employer information. You will also need the reference number for your certificate of sponsorship which proves that you have an approved job offer with a registered UK sponsor. In addition, you will need to provide bank statements that show you are able to support yourself in the UK and proof of the required qualifications needed for the role such as an English language test and degree certificate.

Yes, you can study whilst on a Skilled Worker visa. There is no restriction on the number of hours you can study as long as it does not interfere with your work. Another requirement is that workers who study must first get an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate for their studies and present it to the education provider.  

Skilled Workers are not allowed to run their own businesses.